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Kyoto Antiques: Shopping & Window Shopping

September 8, 2011 By Michael Lambe 10 Comments

Ian Ropke writes,

There are two areas in Kyoto known for antiques: Teramachi and Shinmonzen. Both areas are perfect for window shopping and, naturally, shopping.

Antiques shop on Teramachi

Teramachi, south of Marutamachi, north of Oike but mostly north of Nijo, is Kyoto’s newest antique center. It is more casual, and often quite a bit cheaper when it comes to antiques pure and simple (provenance and expert value aside). It also has a wide range of other interesting shops (highly recommended for high quality Asian handicrafts and art & tea ceremony accessories, and getting into the minutely graduated worlds of tea at Ippodo and washi paper in the shop just to the south of Ippodo). The smartest way to do this route is to either crisscross or go down one side of Teramachi and then up the other.

Ippodo

Shinmonzen, running west for about 500 meters from Higashioji just north of the Gion district, is the old center of Kyoto’s antique industry. This is where the Americans got some of Japan’s finest treasures for next to nothing and many many did. In the Russian war, POWs were allowed to go and shop on Shinmonzen as the barracks for POWs in the Kansai region was nearby in Kyoto). The shops here are less suited for window shopping, but interesting in every other way.

Shinmonzen Doori – 新門前通

Many shops in both areas specialize (for example Chinese/Japanese/Korean antiques, paintings, lacquer ware, ceramics, bronze, Japanese furniture, wood-block prints, wood carving, scrolls, Buddhist paintings and sculptures, pearls, glassware, tea ceremony utensils, kimonos, etc.), while others offer a crazy selection. Prices are often not marked, and bargaining is expected. Experience the exotic world of Kyoto antiques, and take something special home from Asia’s streets of treasure. Most shops on both streets are open every day 10:00-18:00 (some are closed on Mondays). English is understood and spoken well in many shops.

Kamiji Kakimoto (established 1845) just south of Ippodo on Teramachi sells washi paper.

Useful Antique Shopping Language

antique – kottouhin

What is this for? – Kore wa nanini tsukauno desuka?

How much is it? – Kore wa ikura desuka?

(It is) __________ yen. – (Kore wa) __________ en desu

Yagi’s art shop on Shinmonzen (detail)

Can you make it cheaper? – Motto yasuku narimasen ka?

How about _______ yen? – ______ en deha dodesuka?

How old is it? – Kore ha odregurai furui mono desuka?

I’m just looking. – Chotto miteru dake desu

Can I touch it? – Sawatte mo ii desuka?

Do you have anything similar to this? – Kore to onaji mono ha mou hitotsu arimasu ka?

How old is this? – Kore wa dore gurai furui desuka?

Yagi’s art shop on Shinmonzen

Edo jidai (1603 – 1867)
Meiji jidai (1868 – 1911)
Taisho jidai (1912 – 1927)

What is this made of? – Kono sozai ha nan desuka

Wood: ki; Cedar: sugi; Cypress: hinoki; Cherry: sakura; Bamboo: take.

Metal: kinzoku; Silver: gin; Copper: do; Brass: shinchu; Iron: tetsu.

Cotton: men; Silk: kinu; Linen: asa.

Is it fragile? – Kore wa koware yasui desuka?

Can send it to me in my home country? – Gaikoku ni okuru koto dekimasuka?

*****************************************************

Full text by Ian Ropke. Photographs by Michael Lambe. Ian Ropke is the author of the Historical Dictionary of Osaka and Kyoto, assistant editor of Kyoto Visitors Guide, and director of Your Japan Private Tours. You can read his previous articles for Deep Kyoto here.

Filed Under: Culture & Tradition, Ian Ropke, Shopping Tagged With: antiques

Comments

  1. Cotton Bags says

    May 12, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    Thanks a lot…I learned something new today (really…:-). Cheers!

  2. LABRE gerard says

    August 20, 2013 at 2:10 am

    hello I am gerard labre from france , and i shall be in kyoto from 3 to 18 november : searching for ( buddhist) antiques , and old textiles :

    do you have a list of antiques dealers ? or some specialize dealers in buddhist art ?
    MANY THANKS gérard labre FROM FRANCE

  3. Michael Lambe says

    August 20, 2013 at 4:07 pm

    Sorry I don’t have such a list but as there are so many shops like that in Kyoto, I am sure you will have no difficulty finding what you are looking for. I would start your search on the streets listed above (Teramachi and Shinmonzen) and broaden your search from there. You might also check out the recommendations here:
    http://www.kyotoguide.com/ver2/guide/shopping2-.htm

  4. Ella says

    May 27, 2014 at 10:05 pm

    Hi! Would you happen to have any recommended shops for finding things like tea pots and cups? I’m at the end of my study abroad and I’d like something reasonably priced to fit in my suit case. Thanks for your time!

  5. Michael Lambe says

    May 27, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    Well, no specific shops spring to mind, but if you are just looking for souvenirs to take home with you, I’m sure a stroll on Teramachi or Shinkyogoku would turn up something affordable.

  6. lydie LAURENT says

    December 4, 2014 at 10:10 am

    Hi, I am looking for an antique japanese furniture shop to try to get an antique tansu cabinet/ tea cabinet for myself. I looked on your websites recommendations but apparently nothing> Anybody to help me or send me recommendations? Kyoto or somewhere else.
    thanks a lot in advance.

  7. Michael Lambe says

    December 4, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Hi there,

    You might try browsing at the Kura: http://www.the-kura.com/

    Good luck!

    Michael

  8. lydie LAURENT says

    December 4, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    Thanks a lot Michael,
    Nothing from The-Kura side but I continue to search….
    Lydie

  9. Kate Dooley says

    March 24, 2015 at 5:46 am

    Hello. I am from America and visiting my daughter in Osaka and we are making a day excursion to Kyoto 3-26-15. I am interested in beads, especially older and one of a kind beads. Where would be a good place to look in Kyoto?
    Thanks.

  10. Michael Lambe says

    March 25, 2015 at 11:46 pm

    Hello Kate,

    I don’t know much about beads but I would try looking on Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Streets between Shijo and Sanjo. Also, I think there was a bead shop between Kawaramachi and Teramachi on Sanjo… It might still be there.

    Good luck!

    Michael

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