For profit and patriotism, Chinese flock to antique auctions in Japan

KYOTO (Kyodo) The number of Chinese antique dealers and collectors taking part in auctions in Japan is steadily increasing, apparently reflecting their desire to buy -- for profit or simply patriotism -- ancient objects brought over from China in years past.

A chinese antique auction in Osaka in December attracted a lot of buyers from China. KYODO PHOTO

A white spherical incense burner purportedly from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) went under the hammer at 32 million yen in December in Osaka, sold to one of two Chinese groups that competed in the bidding.

About 150 people attended the auction organized by Domu, a group of Osaka-based antique dealers specializing in auctions. About 90 percent of those in attendance were Chinese.

Bidding prices, in both yen and Chinese yuan, were flashed on an electric bulletin board and there was a stir when the auctioneer raised his voice to announce the highest bid.

The auction was the second since Domu was established last June. A total of 150 items, including Buddha images from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and ceramics from the Qing, went to successful bidders for a total of about 200 million yen.

"I'm going all over Japan to buy antiques during my two-week stay," said a 53-year-old antique dealer from the northeastern Chinese city of Tianjin. "I'd like to bring back as many Chinese objects as possible to the mainland."

Japanese auctioneers note the number of Chinese dealers and antique lovers taking part in bidding has grown rapidly. They said this apparently reflects the growing business of buying old ceramics and other objects to make a profit on their resale at home, amid China's buoyant economy, or simply a desire to regain antiques that found their way to Japan from China out of patriotic feelings.

At the same time, Japan's domestic auction industry is desperately trying to lure customers by setting up new specialized bidding venues in hopes of earning commissions.

An official at the auctioneer Kogirekai in Kyoto's Nakagyo Ward said the number of Chinese customers began to rise about five years ago. The official, who is in charge of holding bids and whose company helps Domu manage auctions, said Chinese collectors come to Japan on group tours to take part in auctions.

Chinese antiques came to Japan through official Japanese missions sent to mainland China between 630 and 894 to absorb Tang Dynasty (618-907) culture, according to the Tokyo Art Dealers Association. They also came through Nagasaki, the only Japanese port open to foreign trade during the Edo Period (1603-1867).

Feudal lords and traders cherished Chinese art objects, keeping them in boxes bearing written remarks, including their origins, similar to certificates of authenticity, the association said.

Few antiques are said left in China due to repeated changes in dynasties and upheaval in the country resulting from such events as the Opium Wars of the 19th century and the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, the association said.

It said the market for antiques in China seems to be overheated as the country's rapid economic development translates into greater spending power. Chinese dealers can easily turn a profit by selling art objects they buy in Japan even if they take travel expenses into account, it added.

An art industry official from Beijing said the Chinese economy is akin to the bubble economy in Japan before 1990, but some collectors are inclined to regain Chinese antiques for the sake of patriotism.

Art transactions in Japan are conducted among members of dealer associations, including the Tokyo Art Dealers Association, which effectively closes the market to Chinese traders. That may be the main reason why Chinese collectors rush to auctions, which are open to the general public.

Akira Yokoi, deputy chief of the Tokyo association, said, "We'd like Chinese people to understand that Japanese people played a role in protecting China's fine arts over a long period, rather than depriving them of their art objects."