Not a shop. A standing archive.

Our story

For years we have served collectors, researchers and institutions through the world’s most demanding marketplaces — building a reputation measured in trust, not turnover.

Every volume we offer has been kept in Japan under conditions a librarian would recognise: away from light, away from damp, handled as the historical document it is. We photograph honestly, describe precisely, and price for the long collector relationship rather than the quick sale.

Track record & buyer feedback

Our reputation is built where it can be independently verified. Over many years we have served collectors, researchers and institutions across the world’s most demanding international markets — building a record of approximately 5,000 carefully described sales and 100% positive buyer feedback from collectors in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.

我们的信誉建立在可独立验证之处。多年来，我们为来自欧洲、美洲、亚洲与大洋洲的藏家、研究者与机构提供服务，累积约 5,000 笔详尽著录的成交记录，好评率 100%。

Independent buyer feedback is the heart of how a serious collector evaluates a dealer. We invite every prospective buyer to read ours in full before purchasing — and to ask us anything first.

Condition, grading & provenance

We grade conservatively and in hand. Our scale follows established antiquarian practice:

• Like New — as issued, no appreciable wear.
• Very Good — minor shelf wear; complete and sound.
• Good — honest wear consistent with age; fully intact.
• Acceptable — a reading or study copy; flaws described in full.

Items that do not meet our admission gate — junk, incomplete, or condition-unknown — are not listed. A condition report with additional photography is available on any item by private enquiry.

On provenance we describe honestly and only to the extent we can substantiate it. Where a chain of ownership is known, we share it on request; where it is not, we say so. We do not embellish, and we do not disclose the names of consignors or our own sourcing channels.

Shipping & customs

We ship worldwide from Japan with tracking and careful archival packing. High-value items can be consolidated and insured; instalment holds are available on request. Duties and customs are assessed by the destination country and are the buyer’s responsibility unless stated otherwise.

Return policy

As specialists in rare and antiquarian material — old and rare books, maps and original documents — every item is unique, fully described and photographed in hand. For this reason items are sold as described and are, as a general rule, not returnable. We warmly encourage you to ask any questions and to request additional photographs and condition details before purchasing — please enquire first.

Damage in transit. If an item is damaged in transit, the claim is made with the shipping carrier. Please retain the delivery slip and the full set of accompanying shipping documents, and photograph the parcel and the item exactly as received on arrival. Submitting these documents together with the arrival photographs allows a claim to be filed with the carrier; we are glad to assist you with that claim.

Material discrepancy. In the unlikely event that an item differs significantly from its description on our product page, please contact us within 7 days of arrival. We will review the matter with you and discuss a fair resolution.

Dealer & contact

Kujira Tradings
Higashi Kaigan Minami 2-4-9, Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Japan 253-0054
Email: contact@kujira-tradings.com

We also maintain a store on eBay, where a wider selection of our books and historical materials may be browsed. Visit our eBay store →