In art collecting, two factors are considered essential: the “entry point,” or where you acquire a work, and the “exit point,” or where you choose to let it go. Recognizing these well is a key criterion for enjoying a fulfilling, stress‑free art life.
Places where one can acquire art vary widely
Visiting antique galleries or art fairs is the traditional approach, but in recent years the spread of the internet has dramatically transformed the very structure of the art world.
Antique Art Dealers / Art Galleries
Merits
- Established dealers and renowned galleries place great value on trust and reputation, creating an environment in which high‑quality works are more readily accessible.
- They also often provide after‑sales support, allowing collectors to build long‑term relationships with confidence.
Demerits
- Such establishments can feel intimidating, making them difficult to enter casually.
- It may also take time—and a few detours—before finding a dealer or gallery that truly suits you.
Art Fair
Merits
- You can view a wide range of works at your own pace, without hesitation or pressure.
Demerits
- Because booths are often smaller than full gallery spaces and can become crowded, it is difficult to view works in a calm setting, and depending on the timing, you may not receive sufficient explanation.
Department Store
Merits
- Popular artists and deceased masters are often represented with strong selections of their signature works.
- Because the artists themselves or specialized dealers are involved, a high level of reliability is ensured in terms of quality.
Demerits
- Because works are often released at primary-market prices or assigned premium pricing, they tend to be more expensive.
Internet
Merits
- Shops with their own websites and internet auctions allow you to view and purchase works even outside regular business hours.
Demerits
- Websites operated by dealers without a proven reputation, as well as certain online auctions, carry the risk of encountering counterfeit works, and after‑sales support is frequently lacking.
Public Auctions
Merits
- You can choose from a large number of works, and in some cases, you may even win a piece for less than your maximum bid.
Demerits
- Because the final price is determined by the balance of supply and demand, bidding wars between determined competitors can, in the heat of the room, drive prices far beyond expectations, sometimes making a work unattainable.
- To judge appropriately, one must possess specialized knowledge and a trained eye capable of discerning authenticity.
As there are various ways to acquire art, we recommend the following methods when collecting as a personal hobby.
- Physical and online sales offered by reputable art dealers
- Art fairs in which trusted dealers participate
Even within the broad category of “art,” there are numerous fields—ceramic art, tea utensils, Buddhist art, paintings, contemporary works, and many more. Art dealers, too, each have their own areas of expertise. While we possess a foundational knowledge of the arts as a whole, it is impossible for a single shop to handle every field at a specialist level. Even within a narrowly defined category such as tea utensils, some dealers handle only practice tools and not the essential utensils used in formal tea gatherings, while others specialize in modern pieces but not historical ones. It is also true that true masterpieces—those regarded as the finest in their field—tend to gather at top‑tier specialty dealers who pursue that area in depth.
It is no exaggeration to say that the character of an art dealer is reflected in the works displayed in their shop. Our foremost priority is to recognize the true value of each piece and present it to clients in an appropriate and thoughtful manner. Another great advantage of working with a specialist dealer is the opportunity to hear deeper explanations about the historical context and characteristics of the works. When purchasing art, it is important to “choose the shop” and “choose the dealer’s character.” By building a relationship of trust, you will naturally receive more attentive treatment in many respects. Moreover, it is advisable not to rely on a single shop, but to have two or three trusted dealers. Where and how you acquire works is one of the most crucial factors in forming a fulfilling collection.
The Role and Significance of Art Dealers
Issues of authenticity are an ever‑present concern in the world of art. Owning a work while constantly worrying whether it might be a forgery can be a significant source of stress, and it is truly unfortunate when such doubts arise after paying a considerable price. Some view forgeries as a “necessary evil,” arguing that they add a certain intrigue or provide opportunities to sharpen one’s eye. However, recent advances in imitation techniques are remarkable, and there are works that fall into a gray area where judgment is difficult due to changes over time. Even with knowledge gained from books or experts, identifying such pieces and making correct judgments is an extremely challenging task.
Art dealers who qualify to participate in reputable membership‑based auctions view tens of thousands of works each year and refine their expertise through continuous buying and selling. Drawing on this practical experience and accumulated knowledge, we connect artworks with clients and receive the compensation necessary to sustain our work. Our duty is to create an environment in which clients can choose pieces they genuinely love, free from concerns about authenticity. That said, we are human, not machines, and we cannot claim absolute infallibility. What defines our credibility—and our pride—is whether we can take responsibility should an error ever occur. Naturally, we strive every day to minimize such mistakes through rigorous study and examination. As professionals in this field, we are committed to offering sound judgments and reliable recommendations.
Basis for the Selling Price
In the world of antique art, prices and market values are often thought to be “fluid” or “almost non-existent.” While this perception cannot be entirely dismissed when it comes to exceptionally rare works—so‑called museum pieces that truly belong in institutional collections—it does not accurately reflect the pricing of more typical works. For general pieces, auction results serve as the primary basis for valuation, and the final selling price is determined by adding the necessary operating and overhead costs.
How to Make a Smart Choice When Purchasing
What matters when investing in truly valuable pieces is:
- 1.Maintaining an uncompromising attitude
- 2.Prioritizing quality over quantity
- 3.Viewing as many high‑quality works as possible
The attitude of “simply choosing what you like” is indeed one of the most important elements in enjoying art. However, when you look a little deeper, you may find that as your collecting progresses and you encounter works of higher quality, pieces you acquired in the past begin to feel lacking. At times, your own aesthetic preferences may even shift significantly. Highly attractive, well‑preserved first‑rate works tend to be in strong demand and are generally easy to pass on when the time comes. In contrast, pieces chosen primarily for their low price—regardless of condition—tend to attract less interest, often making the path toward building a meaningful collection unnecessarily long. For restaurants using tableware in daily service or for those selecting objects for interior styling, prioritizing price with the risk of breakage in mind is entirely reasonable. However, in the realm of collectible ceramics, I strongly recommend choosing one rare, superior piece rather than acquiring five average ones. A carefully selected work rarely loses its appeal and becomes a companion that stays with you for many years. Ultimately, there is a profound difference between a “curated collection” and one assembled somewhat casually based on instinct or price alone.
When you hesitate over a purchase, take a moment before deciding
As a business, we naturally hope that as many works as possible will find their way to our customers. However, if we were to recommend pieces too forcefully, it could create distortions later on and lead to stress or regret over the purchase. Such an experience should never occur in the process of enjoying art. Throughout my years in this profession, I have repeatedly witnessed moments when it felt as though a piece was choosing its own destination. Works, too, seem to possess a kind of life, brought together by invisible ties of fate. I have come to believe that there truly are encounters—beyond our imagination and beyond scientific explanation—that happen only once in a lifetime.
The Speculative Nature of Artworks
Artworks inherently possess asset value, and among them, Chinese art has seen a remarkable rise in prices in recent years as it has increasingly become a target of speculation. However, if one’s primary goal is asset management, gold, stocks, or real estate are far more efficient options. The value of artworks is determined by the balance of supply and demand, and fluctuations in demand—driven by economic conditions and trends—have a significant impact. During the economic bubble, demand far exceeded supply, causing many works to soar in price. As a reaction to that period, however, numerous pieces—such as Old Imari ware, regional kiln wares, and works unsuitable for interior display—are now receiving evaluations that could be considered unfairly low. When one becomes overly fixated on asset value alone, the ability to discern the true essence of art inevitably becomes clouded. Among art dealers, those who genuinely love the objects they handle approach them with a devotion that transcends monetary value. This is where emotion, healing, and the essence of beauty reside. Experiences that move the heart enrich one’s life, and the sense of shared appreciation among trusted companions is a joy that cannot be replaced. While future market trends can be predicted to some extent, they are never certain. What is clear, however, is that the market has been increasingly polarized in recent years, with the divide between fine works and inferior ones becoming ever more pronounced. Artworks are not financial instruments. In the field you love, collecting pieces that are truly compelling—rare works of high quality and excellent condition—is, in the truest sense, the most meaningful form of “speculation” in art.