Today, I went to Gojōzaka in Kyoto, a place famous for kiyomizu ware to deliver a paulownia box because a middleman ( Asahidō) bought my piece in an art show last month. I'd already prepared another paulownia box for the piece, but they told me it needed to look more expensive.
It's a part of Japanese tradition that we keep luxurious items like hand-painted porcelain in the boxes. They couldn't sell my piece with a cheap looking box. Before delivering it, I practiced the item's name and my pseudonym on some paper with sumi ink and a Japanese brush. Since I'm not good at Japanese calligraphy, I definitely need more practice.
I stamped my pseudonym on the corner of the paulownia box and on a piece of yellow cloth called ukon in Japanese.
As a novice artist, I still struggle with traditions. I learned these from my painting teacher.
Since the Gojōzaka area is the busiest spot in Kyoto, it was packed as if I couldn't breath. Most of the visitors aren't Japanese. I heard lots of foreign languages here and there. Some enjoyed walking around in kimono (for women) or hakama (for men). When I first time saw foreign people wearing our traditional outfits, I thought it looked very weird, but now I used to it.
While walking up the street, I spotted Asahidō which specializes kiyomizu ware. Since I didn't expect such a big shop, I was a bit surprised. I'm honored such the large shop bought my art pieces.
Inside of Asahidō
After I passed the box, I left the shop.
On my way back down the street, I saw another shop selling Kiyomizu ware.
While walking down the street, I was thinking about my art work. I’d sold another piece to Asahidō last year.
Asahidō bought the koi fish vase last year for ￥275,000, and later they sold the vase for a really good price. ( I heard this story from my painting teacher.)That’s the nature of working with middlemen, and I don’t mind. In fact, I feel honored that they recognized such value in my piece. It makes me happy to know my vase sold through one of their stores. I’m also grateful to the customer who paid so much for it. However, it makes me a little sad that I don’t have a way to sell my art directly, without middlemen. I'd love to connect with buyers on my own.
I don’t have a clear solution yet, but I believe learning English will be the key.
(4747)
There are so many wares displayed in Ashaido that I wonder how your art, or any art, can stand out. You have a lot of competition there. Do you have Instagram or a website from which you could sell directly to the customer? You would then be responsible for packaging, postage, shipping, insurance, and other business expenses. You could roll these expenses into your price for an item. Another thought is to increase your price if you use a middleman. You could also look into using Etsy or Shopify, reach out to potential customers for commission work, or connect with buyers face to face during local art shows and festivals. I'm sure you'll think of other ways to sell without a middleman.
@SEQ77 Thank you for the comment! I heard that they have lots of good customers and they know their favorite tastes. Probably mine stands out from others because most of kiyomizu ware are mono-tones or simple color, a few pieces are such colorful. My teacher told me that mine was sold but she didn't know from which store they sold. They have six stores in Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka. I was used to be an active user of Facebook, Instagram or such SNS, but I haven't updated them since the pandemic happened. I'm thinking to create my own website, but it's really difficult for me to be found it in the world. There are so many online shops. Etsy or Shopify are one of my options too. I'm also thinking auctions or exporting to have an art show outside of Japan. These need middlemen. Probably, I have to start using Instagram again to advertise my work. I also think creating YouTube account to advertise my work too. This year, I practiced to send my art piece to my British friend, who purchased a Japanese helmet. It was a really good experience to sell to oversea. I think I can handle it. Anyway, there are so many issues to solve. It's still a long way to make my dream come true.
Oh wow!!! This is so cool!!! Your art is beautiful. I agree with the other commenter and what you said-- using social media to network is a good idea. I think it would be very interesting to post pictures and videos about designing and making kiyomizu ware, since it's not very common for most people to see, even online. I would recommend not using Etsy, since the website is becoming less art focused, and allowing many dropshippers (resellers of cheap, mass-produced items) to become popular, while paying artists less. But I believe that you could definitely become popular on social media, and have your own independent store very successfully!
Hi, @Eeveecat1248 Thank you so much for reading my post and writing about your opinion. I enjoyed reading it. I've heard about Etsy and Ebay too. I like the idea videotaping my work and post it. I know I have to start taking action if I want to make my dream come true, so I'll do this!
In addition to being a Japanese porcelain artisan, Yumi @yumiyumayume , you would have to design a trademark that has an appealing visual identity. Then, you would have to develop a web platform on the internet to market your porcelain. From there, you would have to market your products through social networks and set up a shipping management system for your customers... In short, you are a Japanese ceramics artisan and in the end, you are going to become an Internet entrepreneur... What do you want to be? Maybe, the intermediary allows you to have the time to dedicate to painting porcelain, which is what you really like... That's my humble opinion.
@druida Thank you so much for your opinion. Probably, I'll ask the middleman job to two of my friends whom I can trust ( one my British friend, the other my American friend) when I sell my pieces outside from Japan. My English isn't good enough for business. I prefer selling my pieces in the world, and that's my dream. I'd love people from overseas to see my artwork. I know I have to start my business account on SNS. I definitely have to do it. Writing this was really good for me because I can visualize what I want to do clearly.