www.japanese-samurai.com

[Den]

Hello all,

 

I would appreciate it if anyone who has any experiences with this dealer would share them in this thread. I've been thinking about purchasing some items.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Dennis H.

[estcrh]

Hello all,

 

I would appreciate it if anyone who has any experiences with this dealer would share them in this thread. I've been thinking about purchasing some items.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Dennis H.

Dennis, I purchased 3 fairly expensive items from him (he is an American) using a bank transfer...the items arrived in good shape and on time...I have not talked to anyone else who has purchased from him but if I went to Japan his shop would be on the ...must see...list. On another forum I have heard people say that he lists and sells items he does not own but shows pictures of anyway...but if thats the case as long as the people get what they pay for that I do not see a problem with that, A finders fee? I have heard complaints that his armor is not as old as he says or not matched...but thats normal for armor...His web site is hard to navigate but he has more items listed that anyone else I know of, some really nice items to.

[Brian]

Not going to say too much until I have proof or more info , but I would strongly suggest anyone does a LOT of research before dealing with this guy (James Miller) Those in Tokyo know him well. His place is called Gallery Samurai, and he has dozens of websites listed, all linking to the same one. Impossible for anyone to have even a 10th of what he says he has.

Caution.

 

Brian

[ottou812]

They really need to work on that website. It's darn near impossible to navigate and website is also rather slow.

[IanB]

I have a friend here in the UK who has had dealings with the owner of this site. Like Brian I am not saying anything at this stage.

Ian Bottomley

[tony edmunds]

Hi Guys

I visited James' shop in Tokyo in 2009, they had just moved in so everything was a bit chaotic but I can say that they have a lot of stock and an incredible selection of F/K and menuki.

I'd say worth a visit especially if you are after fittings.

 

Tony

[estcrh]

Hi Guys

I visited James' shop in Tokyo in 2009, they had just moved in so everything was a bit chaotic but I can say that they have a lot of stock and an incredible selection of F/K and menuki.

I'd say worth a visit especially if you are after fittings.

 

Tony

Tony, did you take any pictures..or buy anything? Did you meet the owner?

[Nautilus]

I too will add a note of caution - though as I was not the person doing the dealing, I will not add anything potentially litigious.

 

The lad is certainly well known in circles here...

[tony edmunds]

Hi Eric

No I didn't meet James, he was out of the shop the day I visited, his Japanese assistant was very helpful (as of course are all Japanese sales staff) and showed me over 50 sets of F/K and as many menuki. Some of the pieces were high quality and most well out of my price range so I came away empty handed. Didn't take any photos of the shop but it was packed with stuff, swords, armour, scrolls and lacquer.

 

Tony

[Soshin]

Here is reply I posted on another board as I was looking to see and possibly buy some toshogu for my collection. I was in Tokyo just this month would have been nice to visit this gallery.

 

noticed the same website. It does in if fact have some really nice photos of tsuba and other very interesting things as well. A little more then a week ago I was in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo and was trying to call that business to see if I could stop by for a visit. But it turned out the telephone listed for their gallery that is located in Minato-ku has been disconnected. Does anyone know if the gallery is still open? Would have been nice to visit while I was in Tokyo. Thanks in advance for any additional information.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.