How much is that bansai in the window?

Me and the 10,000,000 Yen bansai
Originally uploaded by Bob Clubbs.

After visiting the temple and having lunch, we visiting the Itabashi Art Museum and the Itabashi History Museum. I was especially interested in the history museum, which focused on the artisans of Itabshi and their specialties. Paper lanterns, tortoise shell work, brushes, wood carving, and fabric dying are some of the trades that have been passed down from father to son through many generations. Examples of each were on display.

We were then served tea again at the history museum, this time on the tatami mat floor of a 150 year old house! It had the paper screen sliding doors and everything. It was 100% authentic!

We then visited the home/workplace of a family of bansai artists. There are three generations of artists practicing their remarkable craft here. I am pictured here with a bansai that is over 80 years old, and which would sell for 10,000,000 yen. That's roughly a hundred thousand dollars. Talk about impressive!