Szilágyi András (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 21. (Budapest, 2002)

Monika BINCSIK: The Trade in Japanese Art during the Meiji Period with Special Reference to Lacquer, as Mirrored in the Collections at the Ferenc Hopp Museum of Eastern Asiatic Arts, Budapest

was also formerly, and is still to some extent, characteristic of the Japanese tradesman and artisan-artist to hesitate to bring out his best specimens at once. The rule is that several visits are necessary before he will display his choicest articles, and that even then a long time must be spent in bargaining. Some establishments of the more modern sort have fixed prices."

41 According to the testimony offered by guidebooks, contemporary advertisements and invoices,

42 the following art dealers and antique shops enjoyed especially great popularity. An art dealer's called The Boston could be found at 78, Honmachi (Main Street). According to an invoice dated 1914,

43 the owner of the business was a certain A. Sohr, "Dealer in Art Curios, Antiques, Silks and Silver Ware, Jade, Pearls and Precious Stones, Wholesale and Retail". (111. 12) A shop much visited by tourists was the Takashimaya Department Store (81, Honmachi), which dealt in silks and other textiles. On a 1906 advertisement issued by the Iida chain of shops the firm proudly mentions the grand prix it had won in Paris in 1900, the gold medal it had been awarded in Osaka in 1903 and the three grand prix awards it had secured in St. Louis in 1904. (HI. 13) On Mizumachi (Water Street), near the Fujiyama photographer's shop, could be found the Azuma antiques shop (34, Water Street). Its owner was Shaw Azuma, "Connoisseur and Collector of Oriental Arts". (111. 14) Also on Mizumachi were two highly popular antiques shops next to one another. These were Kuhn & Komor (K & K) at no. 37 and Arthur & Bond at no. 38, opposite the Grand Hotel.

44 (111. 15) The enterprise Arthur & Bond dealt in the sale and export of art. Arthur, who had come from Britain, opened his art dealer's shop in Yokohama in 1889, going into partnership with Bond the following year. The two men also operated a branch and warehouse in London (at 52, St. Mary Axe, E. C). They exported works of Japanese applied art, principally ivory, bronze and lacquered pieces. M. M. Kuhn, who was of Hungarian descent, founded the business Kuhn & Co. in Yokohama in 1869. From 1869 until 1876 the shop operated at 51, Honchö (it also had a branch in the Grand Hotel). From 1876 until 1891 it could be found at 79, Honchö, and from 1891 onwards at no. 57 in the same street. In 1895 Szigfrid Komor, similarly of Hungarian origin, joined Kuhn and together they opened the K & K art dealership at 37, Mizumachi. The original Kuhn & Co. firm was in business until 1905, while Kuhn & Komor traded until 1923, under György Komor's management. (111. 16) On Motomachi could be found the Tomono antiques business and the Ariizumi concern as well. (111.17) At 20, Honchö was located the Samurai Shökai (Curio King) business. Sculptures of Enma and Niö embellished the entrance to catch the eye of visitors. Later on an eagle, seemingly about to take flight, was placed on the roof for the same purpose. In a Samurai shökai advertisement placed in the Chamberlain and Mason travel guide of 1903 we read the following enticement to tourists: "Tea is served to visitors in a Japanese villa with beautiful garden, according to the elaborate rules of the Tea Ceremonies." (111.18) Nomura Yözö, Samurai shôkai's owner, was described as follows by contemporaries: [...] Mr. Nomura Yözö was born in Kögömura, in Ono District, Mino County, in the third year of Meiji [1870]. From childhood onwards he was very ambitious. Leaving his native parts he studied at Tokyo's Waseda University, afterwards visiting America three times. In keeping with the Samurai name chosen by him, Mr. Yözö constructed a beautiful building rising proudly on Honchö Itchöme. The section above the entrance recalls a castle tower, and everywhere one sees family crests. The name Samurai attracted the attention of foreigners, who found it interesting. The goods and costumes [suits of armour] at the entrance to the shop are all art works characteristic of Japan. Foreign guests in Yokohama, even those who come just once, visit shops of every kind, but not one of them is unfamiliar with Samurai shökai. Its business policy is excellent but not self-satisfied. For example, when it was compared with the