ABOUT SAA

Message from the President

Working to Create & Expand a Fair Auction Market:
An Imperative Part of Distribution Infrastructure in 21st Century Japan

 Although the history of auction markets dates back 300 years in the West, this figure is a mere 18 years for Japan, and as such, is one market area predicted to grow in the 21st Century. Clearly, the creation of a social platform centered on the liquidation of high-quality items, especially artworks, has just begun.

 Shinwa Art Auction is the first business in Japan to hold consecutive auctions for liquidating artworks in which the general public can participate freely, and has worked hard to breathe new life into artwork trading, an industry previously thought to be unpredictable in terms of business practices and price formation. Based on the corporate philosophy, "Creating and Expanding a Fair and Reliable Auction Market," the Company has carried out reforms relating to the way in which items pass from seller to buyer, and as a result, currently occupies an overwhelming share of all successful bids placed within the artwork trading market. In other words, Shinwa Art Auction is leading the way as the number one open auction corporation in Japan.

 The Japanese auction market has experienced much growth and is expected to expand rapidly in the future, and in order to support this, we must educate consumers so that they are able to determine the value of artworks on their own, without having prices imposed on them. In preparation for this type of market expansion, Shinwa Art Auction has not just taken a modern approach to corporate management, but has also thoroughly invested the development of a fair and reliable auction market from the perspective of its customers. All of the Shinwa Art Auction's staff understand the importance of retaining a reputation as an auction house that only handles the very best quality and finest works of art, and the Company has increased its brand status within the industry. By utilizing our know-how and experience in artworks to enter into new auction areas, such as European decorative art, contemporary art, wine, jewelry, and watches, we have established a most solid business portfolio.

 We have held many serious discussions and debates about the creation of a market for liquidating high-quality items, a market much needed in Japan, and the establishment of a new distribution infrastructure within that market. Of course, controversy still surrounds some issues, but in the end, we must arrive at a conclusion and proceed together as a company. This way of thinking forms the cornerstone for Shinwa Art Auction's operations. We ask for your continued understanding and support.

Yoichiro Kurata
President and Chief Executive Officer

Shinwa Art Auction

Shinwa Art Auction is the largest auction house in Japan in annual sales volume. (A 2006 survey placed our market share at 33%.) We are especially strong in Japanese paintings, Japanese oil paintings, and Japanese ceramics.
We also are well-known for impressionist paintings, post-impressionist paintings,european decorative art , Japanese antiques, Jewellery & watches, contemporary art and wine. Our activities have earned us a strong reputation for producing fair and open auctions in the Japanese market.

Company Policies

Creating and Expanding a Fair and Reliable Auction Marlet.Providing Trustworthy Operation for Both Sellers and Buyers.Fostering the Appreciation of Aesthetics as Enriching to Life

Company Information

Company Name Shinwa Art Auction Co., Ltd.
Establishment 1989.6.15
Office Address B-4F, Ariake Frontier Bldg., 3-7-26 Ariake, Koto-ku,
Tokyo 135-0063 JAPAN
Tel +81(0)3-3520-0066
Fax +81 (0)3-3520-0067
Business Details Arranging and operating auctions.
Buying and selling antiques, consignment selling, export-import activities
Capital stock 780.22 million yen
Company banks Mitsui-Sumitomo Bank, Risona Bank, Mizuho Bank,
Tokyo-Mitsubishi Bank, Aozora Bank, UFJ Bank
President Yoichiro Kurata
Senior Managing Director & COO Kenji Nakagawa
Managing Director Takashi Izumiyama
Managing Director Kazuki Ishii
Director Kunihiko Kinoshita
Auditor Shinji Hasada,Yoji Sano, Ken Adachi

History of Shinwa Art Auction

1987 AUG Launched "Shinwa-kai" art dealers' market.
1989 JUN Established "Shinwa-kai Co., Ltd."with paid-in capital of 100 million yen.
1990 MAR Moved the headquarters to 8-5-4 Ginza Chuo-ku
1990 JUL Acquired antiquary's permission
1990 SEP Held first "Shinwa Art Auction".
1991 JUN Changed company named to "Shinwa Art Auction Co., Ltd.".
1992 MAY Paid-in capital increased to 300 million yen.
1996 SEP Held first "Modern Ceramic Auction". Paid in capital increased to 360 million yen.
1997 APR Held first "Japanese tea utensils Auction".
1999 JUN Held first "Modern Pictures, Lithographs and Craftwork Auction (Now it's called Modern Art ParttII Auction)".
2000 JUN Separated "Shinwa-kai" art dealers' market from "Shinwa Art Auction Co., Ltd."
2000 JUN Moved the headquarters to 4-2-15 Ginza Chuo-ku
2000 AUG Paid-in capital increased to 380 million yen.
2000 DEC KISHIDA, Ryusei "Reiko portrait" was made a successful bid for 360 million yen at the 40th Modern Art Auction.
2001 MAR Held first "Wine Auction".
2001 DEC Paid-in capital increased to 435 million yen.
2002 MAY Held first "Jewellery Auction" at "Modern Art PartⅡ Auction".
2002 JUL Held Charity Auction, 50th "Modern Art Auction".
2003 FEB Held "Shinwa Art Auction NAKAGAWA, Kazumasa Collection", and Vincent van Gogh "Farmerette" was made a successful bid for 66 million yen.
2003 MAY Held "Jewellery&Watch Auction".
2003 JUL Held "Antique Special Auction".
2003 DEC Held "Western Antique Auction"
2003 DEC Moved the headquarters to 7-4-12 Ginza Chuo-ku
2004 JUN Opened Shinwa Art Museum in the headquarters' building
2004 APR Concluded business tie-up concerning the private banking business with Resona Bank.
2005 APR Paid-in capital increased to 735 million yen.
2005 APR Listed in the Osaka Stock Exchange
2005 SEP Opened Osaka branch.
2005 DEC Paid-in capital increased to 760 million yen
2006 MAY Held first "Contemporary Art Auction".