Thursday was the 28th of the month which means that it is time for the Kawagoe shrine sale. We have had a lot of rainy 28ths lately, so it was lovely to wake to a warm sunshiny day. I went with every intention of not buying anything (ha!), which of course proved to be an impossible task. The market felt a bit quieter than usual, but there were plenty of Tokyo folks there.
The theme of the day was clearly baskets…
I was dying for these amazing huge winnower baskets, imaging them hung on a wall in the den of a country house. I know I’ve seen a recent photo of a similar basket display, but can’t remember where. When I do, I’ll add it in here.
Addendum: I didn’t find the photo I was thinking of, but I did find this one with a symmetrical display of Vietnamese fishing hats…
and this one from The Bootstrap Project (more on that in a later post) of handmade Zambian baskets displayed asymetrically.
These baskets would be perfect in a bathroom with one closed holding extra toilet paper and the other open with extra towels.
I didn’t buy any baskets, having just found this one last week. It is just perfect for holding magazines.
But there were some things I couldn’t resist…
I have a weakness for Japanese bellflowers, so this katagami stencil came home with me.
A couple of Tokyo friends got lucky and bought big Japanese fishing floats from this dealer. I got a bunch of small rolling pin or roller floats, all slightly different in shape and size, but roughly around five inches long. I figure I can’t get my big floats back to the US anytime soon, but a handful of these in a basket in the bathroom might do!
Speaking of the bathroom, I thought this kashigata looked like a sand dollar and a starfish and would be perfect to display alongside the bowls of the real things collected by the girls.
Gorgeous shape and color, but it was the glass screw top that sold me!
Is it a stool or a table? Either! This was my favorite find of the day.
Remember this post from a couple of days ago? Patina over perfection…antiques with flaws can be very affordable. I didn’t need this big Seto pot, but it was a lovely one, fishbowl style with a finished and glazed interior. At first glance a 30,000yen (about $300) piece…
…at second glance, this repair brought the price down to 10% of that. For 3000yen ($30) it came home with me.
Friends scored big time too. The sake jug on the left came home with M, as her birthday present. I was so happy to find it after another friend got the one on the right last October.
M got this amazing roof tile cap from Nagano too.
And these 3 smaller inban hibachi (transfer printed charcoal brazier), probably from tobacco sets.
Another friend bought these gorgeous late-Edo period covered bowls. I want to research the unusual painted pattern as I know I have seen it in a museum collection somewhere. Just so modern!
We finished with our usual post-antiquing repast. Indian food! Their keema curry is super-delish!
Where do I start, such wonderful treasures! I wish I had gone now, next time definitely! I love the covered bowls, I am trying to pick up some “old” pottery with spots and stripes which have a modern look, these are beautiful, a lucky friend you have. Also, the beautiful Seto bowl, what a bargain, well done! I also have a basket passion, I actually have a lidded basket which we keep our wireless router in (I hate having electrical wires everywhere), and several other baskets dotted about the apartment to store magazines, toilet rolls and hand towels, so handy.
It seems as though you and your friends had a great day out well done!
Angela, I think you would have made a major dent in your pocketbook had you been there!
Good thing I didn’t go. No telling what I would have come home with … and with a house this small … something I already have would need to go!
I am sure you could have squeezed something in!
Great finds. You never know what you will see. Are the “spots” on the covered bowls the Japanese pattern for snow? I miss going to the shrine sales.
Snow circles usually ruffle outward in a more geometric pattern. But definitely something to consider. Thanks Susan!
Look at all those beautiful bamboo baskets! When is the next one?
In the photo with the giant winnowers was a group of small bamboo baskets I really wanted to get for you – but I was afraid the condition was too poor….Next time if you want some!
Absolutely yes please! I would be honored if you would purchase on my behalf! Love the footed basket with the magazines in your living room too! Thank you Jacq. When is the next one any idea?
Kawagoe is always the 28th of the month, but many others have baskets too…
what great pictures! Loved the red basket with the red fish and all of the baskets!!
What a score of a day! SO sad I was out of town! Hope to make the next one with you!
xo
Maja
We bought the big to-market basket that you photographed!
Ahhhh….what memories! From the fabulous finds to finishing the day with Indian Food! wish I could have been there!