*** Please note: The currency in use on this site is US$. Bid values are always in US$(dollars) ***

About JPAlive.com

JPAlive hosts a number of 'real-time' (live) auctions of rare and authentic Japanese Woodblock prints. Due to the nature of a live auction it is necessary to register with us at least 48 hours in advance of the auction. Registration is easy and free. Participation is then simply a matter of logging on to the site and deciding at the appropriate time if you wish to accept the auctioneer's invitation to bid for the current lot (item).

When a print is sold, a buyer’s premium of 15% is added to the winning bid price of each individual lot purchased. The winning bid price plus the premium constitute the purchase price for the lot. Applicable sales taxes are computed based on this figure, and the total becomes your final purchase price. All sales are final and subject to the Conditions of Sale found in the sale catalogue.

We will contact you within 24 hours of the close of an auction to confirm payment and shipping details. At this time you will be offered additional shipping options if appropriate; these will incur an extra charge if you request them.

How do I contact you?

As this site operates in different time zones all around the world, we have found that the most effective way of contacting us is by email. Please contact us by clicking here

How do I register?

Please click here to register to use this site.

How do I bid?

Please note: All bids are in US$(dollars).

We strongly recommend that you view the catalogue before each auction, which will give detailed information about each of the lots. You can also do this during the auction, but remember that the auctioneer cannot pause to allow potential bidders to catch up with those who have prepared properly in advance!

If you are the highest bidder for a lot, then the auctioneer will say so as he (or she) "bangs the auctioneer's gavel". The sale is then legally binding and you are the proud owner of that item.

I'm going to be busy at the time of the auction. How can I bid for an item without being online?

Please contact us at least 24 hours before the auction with details of the lot and your bid (see "How do I contact you?" above)

Do I need any special technology or downloads to be able to use this site?

Behind the scenes, our site uses some of the latest Internet technology in order to get you closer to the action. Whilst you should be able to view our site in most of the currently popular browsers, we recommend the following specification:

Internet connection: Broadband (T1/DSL/ADSL)
Processor: Pentium III / 500MHz
Display: LCD / TFT screen, 1280 x 1024 native resolution or better
Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer 7; Netscape 8.1; Mozilla Firefox 1.5; Mozilla 1.7

The site has been thoroughly tested with the above setup(s). Other specifications are likely to work, but possibly with reduced functionality.

Who owns and operates JPAlive.com?

JPAlive is owned by Mita Arts Gallery in conjunction with Mary Deeming. Mita Arts Gallery have been dealers in Japanese Prints and Paintings since 1963. Mita Arts are the only ukiyoe gallery in Japan with a bilingual staff and the only non-Japanese directors of the Japan Ukiyo-e Dealers Association and the Japan Ukiyo-e Society. Mita Arts are members of more than ten different Japanese dealer auction groups (which meet monthly) and thereby have access to most prints and paintings that come on the market in Japan. David was one of the founding directors of the Japan Ukiyo-e Dealers Association about twenty years ago, and is also an executive director of the Japan Ukiyo-e Society. With his son Ken, David makes almost monthly overseas buying and selling trips and together they cover every major overseas auction. Mary Deeming previously owned a Gallery in Hong Kong specialising in textiles, dolls, swords and woodblock prints. It was here that she met David and exhibited his woodblock prints in monthly exhibitions. Mary continues to work with David's prints curating exhibitions internationally and in the UK. Ken Caplan is Managing Director of Mita Arts Gallery, Tokyo, and is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Japan Ukiyoe Dealers Assocation and the International Ukiyo-e Society.