prov-e-nance ˈpräv-nən(t)s, ˈprä-və-ˌnän(t)s
noun. the place of origin or earliest known history of something.
This month over at my Provenance column on Krista & Tami’s blog Cloth & Kind I could not resist writing about byobu, those wonderful folding Japanese screens which have been entrancing the world for centuries. I have long loved them and purchasing an antique one was on the top of my list when I moved to Tokyo almost nine years ago. I knew the perfect spot to hang it, just above my 18th century Shanxi region bamboo altar table. Early on I found many byobu of the right age and patina to be priced beyond well beyond my reach, but perhaps in my second year I stumbled across this small one, made from the fragments of a very very old screen, at the Heiwajima Antiques Fair. This instagram photo does not begin to do it justice as it doesn’t highlight the delicate gold leaf confetti in the left corner or the fencing around the chrysanthemums in the right. Unfortunately, everything is all packed now, so I can’t show you a better photo – you’ll have to wait for the unpacking at the other end.
It seems like perfect closure then that at the very last Heiwajima show I would be attending for a while this past May, that I found my dream byobu! I’ll give you a tantalizing detail but for more on it and on byobu in general, please click over to read the post on Cloth & Kind.
I know these last few posts have been all about my stuff, but there is something about leaving a country that one has lived in for a while that sends everyone on a frenzy of acquisition! I can’t tell you how busy I was with antiques for other people this spring (antique stone statue everyone!) and along the way I caught the bug myself. Honestly, while hundreds of items have passed though my hands these last years, I have always been good at letting them go on to their new homes. Here at the very end, I felt the need to tick off some boxes for myself. Has this ever happened to you? What did you buy when abroad, either living or traveling? Are there things you regret not buying?
Related Posts:
Beautiful Byobu…Japanese Screens at The Nezu Museum and at Home
Ogata Korin’s Iris Masterpieces Reunion Postponed
The Altar Table Reimagined…From Worship to Workhorse
Shrine Sale/Antique Show Schedule
The lasting legacy you leave behind for us is the very complete and user-friendly shrine-and-antique-sale schedule on your website. I love how it’s organized and refer to it constantly. I’ve never seen a more accessible and clear listing all in one spot anywhere else. Many thanks for that, and Bon Voyage!
Yes, the frenied acquisition phase always comes before the departure. I find that I never bought enought Chinese antiques when in Hong Kong or enough fabric while in India. I coveted a 9 foot antique drum from Mindoro for 7 years while living in Manila. I bought one the day before we left and discovered it was inhabited with unwanted guests. A quick fumigation and it sits in storage. But, I got it. We are love in Romania and I try to buy as i find things. I do not want to leave with regrets……
Dear Tokyo Jinja,
Yes, that is the most beautiful screen ever! Well done and well deserved. I love your blog. You are a very talented writer; I hear your voice tell the story. Good luck on your move. I look forward to your future tales and fabulous finds. Since living in Tokyo, I moved to Switzerland, Belgium and now Buenos Aires, Argentina. All these places are fascinating and I have been fortunate to see the world. The expat life is a gift. Have a great summer on the beach, would love to catch up one day!
Besos,
Tina
first of all, i want to wish you a bon voyage and hope to catch up with you this summer on the jersey shore. second, that byobu you just bought is exquisite. and third, to answer your question, my mother in law who i adored always told me that i will only regret the things i didn’t buy. so i take her thoughts in my purse whenever i travel and she’s never been wrong yet.
A Bit of Cosmic Luck…Shrine Sale Synchronicity | Tokyo Jinja
[…] the yowsa piece here has to be the 17th century byobu of pines on a golden background in the master bedroom. Again, the Japanese antiques look so fresh […]