ABSTRACT
When we speak of collecting in a Western tradition we are, of course, not merely referring to geographical location. Conspicuous consumption (Mason, 1981) manifests itself in any country amongst its affluent members. One modem trend within this is to focus on the bygones of the everyday rather than the more conventional antiques. This example from Japan is perhaps telling. In 1966, the Beatles faced a hostile reception in Tokyo, because their intended venue was a martial arts dojo (c entre) , and their presence was felt to dishonour it. In 1996 we find that 'weekend antiques markets are booming at temples and shrines' . The feeling expressed by the Japanese model cat collector that 'Japan has gone too far in terms of developing', expressing satisfaction that there was a time when 'craftsmen made things with their own hands', is a sentiment which would be shared by many European collectors. The objects sought out on these markets are not ostentatious symbols of opulence, but rather modest, even unassuming pieces like sake cups and figurines. Like their European counterparts, such objects remind collectors of 'what they saw when they were growing up' . In keeping with a perceived ancestral modesty, even the Japanese equivalent of the Antiques Roadshow (Family Treasure Appraisers), seeks to balance its valuations with the cultural and historical value ofthe items that viewers present.
