More and more Chinese art collectors have flown to Japan in pursuit of Chinese antiques, according to a report by China Daily. One of the major reasons is the rising auction prices in China.
To bring back lost Chinese relics and art, collectors are flying to Japan. It's a win-win situation, as the move also reinvigorates the Japanese market, said the Xi'an Evening News.
In October alone, two important Chinese pieces were bought at the Japan Art Dealers Enterprise's autumn auction.
"Four Seasons Landscape," a work by Chinese master Qi Baishi, was sold to a Chinese collector for 70 million yen ($569,615). A painting by Wu Changshuo called "Green and Red Plum Blossom," on the other hand, was sold to a Chinese buyer for 12 million yen ($97,648).
Meanwhile, "Building Built in Map," a work dated from the Song and Yuan Dynasties, was sold during the Kansai Art Auction's autumn event to Chinese billionaire Liu Yiqian for 99.93 million yen ($813,166).
Since October, Chinese art buyers have flocked to Japan and, as a result, has powered the antique industry in the country. Tour groups were organized by art lovers to travel to Japan as well. To help these art lovers, a noted auction house in Japan has even set up service agencies to help Chinese consumers.
According to experts, Chinese artworks started to enter Japan over 2,000 years ago. Statistics also show that 30 percent of Chinese relics being sold on the world market are from Japan.
Some of these relics were part of cultural exchanges and national gifts between China and Japan.