About Blue and White

Read our essay on The Japanese Art of Balance and Simplicity in Sothebys.com's Connoisseur Magazine

Blue & White America, Inc.: About Us

Our company was founded out of our great respect and love of Japanese art and culture, and most specifically, Japanese ceramics. Our specialization lies in what can be called domestic market ceramics, which were traditionally not made for export, most being relatively rare to see outside of Japan. We are not only brokers but researchers and students of the remarkable history of these arts, and are eager to share our knowledge with all interested. Our staff is comprised of both Japanese and Americans.

UPDATE: June 2002

This summer Blue & White America will open Gallery Seigetsu-do in Kyoto Japan. For more information, click here. Oribe

Online Catalog

We make every effort to update our online catalog immediately when an item is sold; this will be indicated on the catalog by the terms sale pending. Following shipment and notification from the buyer of their intention to keep the item, we will change the term to sold. Sales are made on a first come first serve basis. However, please feel free to contact us if you find something you are interested in that was sold; many times we may have a similar item not yet catalogued, or may have something on the way in our next shipment from Japan.

Customer Service

We recognize the importance of good customer service and believe the standards of the art and antique world should be no different from that of other retail markets (eg. courteous and prompt service, high standards of shipping, returns, etc.). We also recognize that our clients do not have to spend their money with us; therefore we greatly appreciate each and every client transaction. We aim for absolute customer satisfaction; if you find you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, please let us know immediately.

Authenticity

We make every effort to represent our items as honestly and accurately as possible. We will not fabricate claims, dating or speculate concerning matters beyond our knowledge. Nevertheless we recognize the limitations of our knowledge and research capabilities, and are aware that no one is immune to error, so please feel free to contact us with any information you feel is insightful.

Items are sold as represented and guaranteed beyond their 14 day return policy as such. Any challenge to authenticity will need to originate from a recognized authority in the field, such as a specialist curator at a major museum, a recognized researcher, or specialist staff at a well known auction house. Any such challenge will need to be signed, in writing, and will also need to have solid basis to be taken seriously.

Order Processing Time

Items are processed as quickly as possible. If we are in the office and running business as normal we can generally accept an order and send it out after receiving payment within 24 hours. However in certain circumstances there may be delays, for example when we are on business trips overseas and when an item is in storage and not accessible to our home office staff, you may encounter a delay. Please contact us to inquire if an item is available for immediate purchase.

Payment Methods

We accept money orders, personal checks (held until cleared), credit cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, Diners Club), Paypal, as well as money wire transfers, and we will consider escrow services at the buyer's expense.

The easiest and quickest way to make payment is by credit card, which can be sent through our online secure server (accessible by clicking on the order button on each item page). The secure server uses a technology preventing interception of the information sent through it.

Orders - International Shipping

As of June 2002, we will be shipping most of our merchandise by EMS express mail, from Japan. EMS is very fast, and tracked, it will generally arrive within 4 days. Please note we will only ship to a billing address for all credit card purchases.

Questions?

contact us: blueandwhite@earthlink.net

Returns

Because of the limitations of photographic representation of three dimensional objects, we do allow returns within 14 days of purchase. Returns will be given minus shipping fees and any processing fees(credit card companies charge a commission), provided the item is received in the original condition as sent.

Appraisals

Please note that we receive many requests to identify and appraise items. Unfortunately due to the volume of inquiries we cannot offer this service free of charge. Please inquire for paid appraisal requests.

Contact us: blueandwhite@earthlink.net

The easiest and quickest way to reach us is via email. Wherever we are, whatever time zone email allows us to respond the fastest. Our office hours are irregular and during those times we are not available, please leave a message at (845) 855-5018.

Dating Japanese Ceramics

One of the biggest challenges both for dealers and collectors is in attempting to date Japanese ceramics. Unlike many Western ceramics, Japanese ceramics rarely have any one single characteristic that solidly dates them. Dating ceramics requires a comprehensive evaluation of characteristics including clay, glaze, form, marks, dimensions, and style. As is the case for art in general, style is often the most immediate feature that reveals the era of a piece; however, judging this includes knowledge of comprehensive stylistic evolution to start. Needless to say, one needs exposure to authentic examples in order to make such a judgment.

This can be difficult in the West since access to Japanese ceramics is relatively limited. While there are many out of print catalogs available from exhibitions featuring many famous and top of the line examples, there are few references which show revival pieces or contemporary reproductions which can be seen on a daily basis in the Japanese marketplace. The result is generally a tendency in the West to predate pieces out of the ordinary. This is especially the case with examples of earthenware and stoneware, which often tend to appear much older than they actually are.

Revivals, Reproductions, and Forgeries

Historically potters have created copies in paying homage to teachers and as technical challenges to improve their skills. As for outright forgeries, a tradition exists for that as well, and unless expert potters reveal their spurious intent, no one knows for sure how many fraudulent pieces exist. The 19th century saw the production of many revival ceramics in Japan, for both porcelain and pottery. The late 20th century has seen the production of many forgeries and reproductions, more recently in good forgeries of blue and white Imari (Sometsuke) coming from China and/or Taiwan, and Momoyama Era tea ceramics made domestically in Japan. While Japanese references are available illustrating these types of reproductions, presently nothing has been published in the English language on how to differentiate these forgeries.

Boxes, or Tomobako

Historically in Japan boxes have been used to store antique and valued ceramics for when the objects are not in use. Many old and treasured boxes will reveal not only the potter, but information about1 when the items were used (i.e. a famous tea gathering) and provenance. The highest valued pieces have belonged to extraordinary historical figures, with the box providing some evidence of this. However, boxes are also vulnerable for forgery, especially with 20th century well known potters (Rosanjin, Hamada, Kanjiro, etc.). Those in the West should approach boxes with some skepticism.

Considerations for Buyers

Buyers should not be completely discouraged, as there are many ways to learn. The first step for anyone interested is in books. If one does not want to invest in a reference library of their own, they should visit libraries. The best references are out of print, so a large library is the best place to see these publications. Both Japanese Porcelain and Japanese Pottery by Soame Jenyns are excellent English language books (out of print). Not only are they extremely valuable for study, but they reveal the challenges of Japanese ceramic history. Auction catalogs are an excellent resource, as are auction previews during which one has the opportunity to handle and examine many excellent pieces. One should approach general English language references aimed at commercial Asian
antiques with safe skepticism, as they can reflect the commercial interest of the authors.

See as many pieces, old and new, as possible. If you are near a China Town or any contemporary Japanese ceramic stores or galleries, look at what is available, including commonplace kitchen type items, in order to see precisely what contemporary pieces are being made. It goes without saying one should visit museums. Used book stores also offer many great old books. Also there are a number of periodicals catering to Japanese art and antiques, for example Daruma Magazine, Orientations, and Arts of Asia.

Exhibition catalogs tend to present National Treasure quality ceramics, ones that are prized as the height of period achievements in Japan. One should realize these are not common items available on the Japanese or international markets. Meantime, while everyone cannot own, for example, an original piece by Kenzan or a Momoyama Era tea bowl, there are many later examples that are more affordable and artistically worthy. Many traditions have continued through to the present day, so as a collector if you can identify your stylistic interest, there are sure to be a variety of items available to you. After doing all your research, it goes without saying, always buy what you love.

Looking to Sell

We are always interested in buying old Japanese ceramics, and quality early 20th century ceramics. We are also interested in old Japanese textiles, lacquer, wood and metal objects. Please contact us at blueandwhite@earthlink.net.