Upcoming Kodo Arts Warehouse Sale
Dates: October 10-18
Location: 571 Searls Ave, Nevada City
Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM daily
The Kodo Arts Warehouse Sale will feature a unique collection of Japanese ‘Kanban’ (traditional shop signs from the 1800s) and ‘Tairyo-bata’ fishing boat flags.
Highlights:
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Kanban Signs:
- These signs were intricately crafted using materials like wood, bamboo, and iron, serving not just as name plaques, but as symbols of business prestige. Each sign often resembled the products sold, such as tobacco pipes or sake kegs, making them visually indicative of the shop’s offerings.
- Designed for a largely illiterate population, Kanban utilized bold shapes and kanji characters, often incorporating symbols of good luck and prosperity.
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Tairyo-bata Flags:
- Meaning “big catch,” these flags were flown by fishing boats to signal a successful return. Originating in the Edo era, they served as a means of communication among fishermen, indicating to those on shore that a bountiful catch was on board. They celebrated good fortune and sometimes facilitated negotiations among boats in need of fish.
The Kodo Arts sale will showcase a selection of both these fascinating elements of Japanese culture. For more details, visit kodo-arts.com.
