To help out all my Sunday church-going readers I have been wanting to report favorably on the second Saturday of the month shrine sale at Gokoku-ji. I don’t have it on my “official” shrine sale page because I don’t like to recommend anything that might be disappointing and while it has been good in the past, I tend to find it unreliable now, both in terms of schedule and quality/quantity of dealers and merchandise. Today wasn’t much different from that assessment – only about a dozen vendors. Now, we all know that Nogi Shrine only ever has about that many dealers at best, but they are all top quality. The goods today were more junk shop and imports from China than real antiques, so if you live in the nearby Mejiro neighborhood or on the Yurakucho line, it might be worth stopping by. I am not sure I would have anyone travel there, although that being said, it only took me 15 minutes driving from my house on the Shuto.
Just because it wasn’t the best market doesn’t mean there weren’t things to be found. My subconscious has been making itself heard lately by pointing me towards medium-sized unusually shaped Imari plates. I think it wants them for first course or lunch settings. I have been resisting, on the grounds that I don’t need them, but today brought two examples.
The first was eye-catching, but…
… it was the second set that was breathtaking.
If you do go and the market turns out to be lousy or unexpectedly cancelled, the Temple complex, situated up on a hill and surrounded by substantial grounds, is beautiful and well-worth visiting. Built in 1681 by the 5th Tokugawa Shogun at the request of his mother, it has survived earthquakes, fires, and WWII, and the main temple is designated an important cultural property of Japan. Today they had a special flower arranging exhibit on the grounds and in the main sanctuary. Take note of the unusually colored sudare.
Unfortunately for me, my practical conscious mind ruled out and I didn’t buy that second set of plates. I am now mooning over the photo at home, so if anyone sees them tomorrow or next week at a different market, please feel free to let me know!
They are beauties, if I see them at Oedo tomorrow, I’ll pick them up for you!
They’re at oedo! 27,000 yen
He told me 22,000 yesterday….quite a good point to notice. Bad market = little business = lower price.
So what was the outcome?? Those plates are gorgeous.
I never made it out. I am being practical again – I don’t need them!
Did you go get the plates? The market had a great vibe today, the best since the EQ, many foreigners there too! Some beautiful bits and pieces to be had. I always love the Oedo market. I picked up a beautiful o-bento box (blue and white porcelain) for 1,500 yen!! Amazing.
I was feeling really unwell today and didn’t make it out. If they are meant to be, they will cross my path again. I am back to being practical…I don’t actually need them. So glad you had a good day!
Sorry to hear that you aren’t feeling well, hope you feel better soon. If you have a change of heart, you could always look back at Oedo first Sunday next month, I am sure that they will be there!