I like antiques and the thrill of finding cool, unexpected stuff. I already go to a lot of antique/flea markets, 2nd hand stores and so on. But are there estate sales here? If so, how can I find them? I used to love going to estate sales in the U.S. because there were so many interesting things you could find, plus they were almost history-adjacent experiences since you’d get an idea of the person who passed, what they were into, how they fit in the community.
I have actually seen some sellers on ebay stating they found things at estate sales in Japan, but where are they? 遺品整理 is a word that exists but when I search for it I just find companies that handle possessions and not events. Are they not open to the public? Presumably when people die their stuff has to go somewhere and families don’t just keep or dump all of it. Any ideas?
2 comments
I don’t imagine it exists in the same way as in the U.S. If you’re not connected to the deceased, items known to be 遺品 are kinda unlucky or taboo to own/buy, probably seen as kinda disrespectful to sell off to anyone willy nilly in a public manner on the street or whatever. I don’t think it’s culturally a thing to specifically go looking for 遺品 to haggle over.
The companies you mention specializing in buying up/disposing of passed-on folks’ stuff probably ship a lot of it overseas (apparently there is also a big market for Japanese antiques in other countries) and also resell to your usual local “recycle shops” and other businesses specializing in antiques, which can buy large volumes of stuff wholesale, where the 遺品 status is unknown and aren’t marketed as such and as they say, ignorance is bliss.
Your best bet are probably the antique flea markets you’re already going to.
Mercari. I am almost certain that a lot of young people are on there selling grandma’s treasures and artworks. Much to my pleasure.