Since my husband and I first visited Arise Bazaar in 2017 (the first of several visits), I'd have trouble counting how many wonderful pices we've purchase there: gorgeous early 1900s ceramics, authenticated Kawase Husui woodblocks, authenticated Imao Keinen ukiyo-e prints, vintage stencils for kimonos, mingei, and one incredible vintage sumi-e painting that has become the show-stopper piece of art in our house. (Unfortunately, my best efforts to get a full read of the artist's signature have proven unfruitful so far, so we have to say this is by an "anonymous artist," but I keep trying to find someone who can decode the inscriptions. I'll include a photo here.)
I've read other reviews saying that this warehouse is a bit chock-a-block and hard to navigate. I would submit that
a) the proprietor, Paul MacLardy, does most of his business at shows, which is to say: this is a *warehouse,"
b) if you tell Paul what you're interested in, he'll either locate it immediately in said warehouse, or remember what you're interested in and contact you if he finds what you want, however long that takes. (I have him on the lookout now for a great piece of kintsugi/kintsukuroi. If anyone can find it, it will be Paul.)
c) the warehouse has been completely reorganized just this year, to make for a much easier browsing experience.
I saw one reviewer take Paul to task for "not being Japanese." I don't want to dignify that with a response, except to say that Paul has encyclopedic knowledge of Japanese art and costume from all periods. He's even been called to the White House more than once to appraise Japanese art gifts! And he's literally "written the book" on kimono.
Bottom line: I give this place five stars, and I'm sorry that anyone else has had anything less than a very positive experience. read more