Budget Treasure Hunting
Me being a fanatic collector of all things old like katanaCurved, single edged longsword traditionally used by Samurai., yoroi, ukiyoeA genre of Japanese woodblock prints and paintings. and old school Japanese art things, he had promised to take me on a tour on the next day he took off. The plan was to take me to all the secret antique and recycle shops as well as a Sunday market that was on only held once a month. We are in Tonami City in Toyama Prefecture so started out for Takaoka to the Temple market which is held over the road from Zuiryuji Temple.
Hitting the market I am keen to buy everything in site nearly as the place is an Ebayer's dream. Prices are so low I have to head back to car within the first ten minutes too off load what I have just purchased. A quick snack of gyoza and we shoot over to Zuiryuji Temple which is a very cool place to visit in Takaoka. Back in the car and we are off the Kanazawa city about one and a half hours away. Arriving at our destination in Kanazawa city I find my self in a carpark surrounded by two massive warehourses filled with second-hand junk. One mans trash is another mans treasure, this place was heaven they had every thing and I wanted and more.
Again prices did not make sense to me as they were so low but Ken has told me not to buy up unless I really want something and after a quick lesson on tansuTraditional, hand-crafted, wood chest. Usually made from woods such as cypress, keyaki, Japanese cedar or koa. chests I am educated in what difference is between legit tansu and low quality ones. After purchasing a few ceramic cups and dishes for 200 yen we are in the car and on the way back to Tonami where he has promised to save the best for last.
On arrival at our final destination from the outside it looks to promise disappointment, but don't judge a book by it's cover. As we enter there are giant tea cups he says are used at sushi restaurants for 10 yen each, so I bag ten of the whoppers up and leave them at the counter. This a recycle shop which I have never had the pleasure of visiting one prior to today.
Through a small doorway and there it is what I thought was a tiny shop has a two level massive warehouse backing on to it. KakejikuScroll painting or calligraphy mounted on a flexible backing which can be rolled for storage. Intended for verticle display., Ukiyoe, Dolls in cases, full sets of legit old yoroi with cases, haori, kimono, there was too much to list. So I decide to have a look at the dolls in glass cases as there are about thirty-five at first glance, 1000 yen says the price tag on the one with a geishaTraditional female entertainers. Trained in such arts as singing, dancing, and playing Japanese traditional musical instruments. inside holding a "kaput" samurai helmet.
I wonder who left the zero of the price tag as this has to be 10,000 yen at least not 1000 yen, so I ask for a price check as get a "hai" it is 1000 yen. I wonder how many can I fit in the car as these will sell for around $250.00 back in Australia and they are only $10.50 approximately. Ken tells me the one I have is worth about 50,000 - 60,000 yen brand new, thing is this looks brand new and is in immaculate condition for only 1000 yen. Deciding to pay for it and split before they realise their mistake at the counter she tells me they again there is no mistake. Now I have my goodies and I spent a total of only 2,000 yen on shopping all day.
Geisha Doll in Case 1000 Yen
Kakejiku 400 Yen
Tea Cups 100 Yen
Sushi Plates and sake set 200 Yen
Bronze Ashtray 100 Yen
One white arrow from Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo 200 Yen
If your new to Japan or moving to a new area I highly recommend hitting your local recycle shops as some of the furniture prices are just as crazy, on out day trip we say a massive set of deep draws for 1000 yen and long tables from 1000 - 2000 yen. You can deck your new place out quickly of and cheaply, teaming recycle stores for big items like furniture and 100 Yen stores for all the rest.
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