Kyoto has a lot of galleries. Some are attached to craft shops and sell decorative objects with a loose relationship to contemporary art. Some are serious programme spaces showing work that will still matter in twenty years. The difference is not always obvious from the outside, and the language barrier can make it harder to ask the right questions. This is a practical guide for first-time buyers, based on what we have seen work and not work over nine years of running Cedar Blend Line.

What documentation should come with a work

At minimum, a work should come with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist, the title, date, medium, and dimensions, and the name of the gallery through which it was sold. A studio photograph taken during the making is not standard everywhere but is worth asking for. At Cedar Blend Line, every work sold includes a hand-typed certificate, a studio photograph, and a short written account of the work's context. That documentation is part of the work's value and its future resale record.

Payment and tax

Most small galleries in Japan do not process international credit cards. Bank transfer is the standard method for larger purchases. Consumption tax in Japan is currently 10 percent and is included in the prices we quote. If you are buying as a business entity and intend to export the work, there are procedures for claiming a tax refund at the point of export. Ask the gallery before you pay, not after. We can walk you through the process for any work purchased at Cedar Blend Line.

Shipping a work home

Small works on paper can often travel as carry-on luggage if they are unframed and rolled in a tube. Anything larger, framed, or three-dimensional needs to be shipped. We pack every work ourselves and use a specialist art courier for international shipments. Shipping to Europe or North America typically costs between 15,000 and 45,000 yen depending on size and destination. We quote before anything is confirmed. Customs documentation for art is straightforward for personal imports in most countries, but check your country's import rules for works above a certain value.

How to find work worth owning

The most reliable method is to visit galleries with a consistent programme and ask questions. A gallery that cannot tell you where the artist trained, what the work is made from, or why this piece was made is not a gallery that knows its artists well. Look for spaces that show one artist at a time, or at most two. Look for documentation. Look for a gallerist who talks about the work rather than the price. The price matters, but it is the last thing worth discussing.

If you are visiting Kyoto and want to see what is currently available at Cedar Blend Line, come in during open hours or email us in advance. We are on Ninenzaka in Higashiyama, open Wednesday through Sunday, 11:00 to 18:00.