After finalizing the transaction time and chatting with Qian Guzhenmei and the others, Xiao Ran continued to appreciate the paintings in front of him. While admiring it, he discussed it with Qiangu Zhenmei and the others.
After watching for a while, Anthony suddenly came closer and whispered:
"Sean, the company employees who came from Los Angeles have arrived in Tokyo."
"One more thing, the Tokyo police have completed the evidence collection work at Yamamoto Antique Shop and can go through the handover procedures."
"After completing the handover procedures, we will also take over the security work of Yamamoto Antique Store."
Xiao Ran turned to look at him, pondered for a moment, then nodded and said:
"Let the newly arrived employees go to the hotel, have lunch, and prepare to take over the Yamamoto antique store."
"After lunch later, let's go to Yamamoto's antique store to see if we can make any new discoveries!"
"Contacts with the police and legal matters should be handled by our Japanese lawyers to avoid legal loopholes."
After the words fell, Anthony nodded immediately.
"Got it, Sean, I'll let everyone know."
After saying that, he turned around and left to make a phone call.
David also followed over to arrange some things.
As soon as they left, Zenitani Mami couldn't wait to ask:
"Mr. Sean, did you find anything else in Yamamoto's antique store yesterday, but you just didn't take action?"
"As far as I know, there are indeed many good antiques and works of art in Yamamoto's antique store."
"Your gains this time are not small, and there may be even bigger surprises."
When he said this, this old friend's eyes were full of envy, jealousy and hatred, and his eyes were a little red.
The other Japanese people at the scene were also like this!
Without exception, each of these guys wished they could replace Xiao Ran and take the treasures in Yamamoto's antique shop into their own pockets!
Xiao Ran glanced at them, then smiled and nodded and said:
"Everyone saw the things in Yamamoto's antique shop yesterday, and they were all on display."
"I have to say that there are indeed many antiques and cultural relics in Yamamoto's antique shop, but there are no bigger surprises!"
“Compared to the antique artifacts on display outside, I look forward to what’s in the vault of the antique store.”
"If there is a bigger surprise, it probably can only come from the vault, I hope so!"
Hearing this, Qian Guzhenmei and the others nodded.
They are also somewhat looking forward to the cleaning work of Yamamoto's antique store that will start in the afternoon.
It would be great if we discover one or two more Japanese national treasure antiques!
Of course, in that case, they would have to be stabbed again by Xiao Ran in order to exchange for the newly discovered Japanese national treasure.
Next, Zenitani Mami and Hasegawa made requests one after another.
I hope I can follow him to Yamamoto Antique Store later and witness with my own eyes the process of Xiao Ran cleaning up the antique store.
Xiao Ran did not refuse this request and nodded in agreement with a smile.
While talking, about ten minutes had passed.
Xiao Ran came to a new painting and stopped to admire it.
This is a Japanese ukiyo-e work, and it is a color print. The size of the painting is not large, about 30 by 50.
What is depicted in the painting is a group of people rushing through the wind and snow.
Among them are samurai with long swords on their waists, civilians with their families, and a few geishas in all their glory.
The distant view is Mount Fuji, completely covered with snow, standing on the distant horizon.
The painting style of this print is rather peculiar, with a hint of European prints in it, and it is cleverly integrated with traditional Japanese painting techniques.
What it depicts is also the life and taste of Japanese people.
However, this Ukiyo-e looks a little out of place. I always feel that there is something wrong, but I can’t figure it out for the moment!
Another point is that this ukiyo-e does not have the author’s signature, nor any seals or inscriptions, just a bare painting!
Xiao Ran admired it carefully for a moment, and then said in surprise:
"This ukiyo-e looks a bit familiar, a bit like the work of the Japanese ukiyo-e art master Katsushika Hokusai."
"To be precise, this print is somewhat similar to Katsushika Hokusai's "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji"
“I have admired Katsushika Hokusai’s masterpiece, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, as well as several other ukiyo-e works by him at the Metropolitan Museum of Art!”
"So I am somewhat familiar with his works, but this Ukiyo-e feels a little strange to me!"
Following his words, everyone present looked at the ukiyo-e painting on the wall.
The next moment, Zenitani Mami and Hasegawa had a smile in their eyes, but they didn't say much!
At this moment, the director of Nezu Museum suddenly said:
"Mr. Sean, you are right. The style of this ukiyo-e is indeed very similar to the "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" series of paintings by Master Katsushika Hokusai."
"However, the "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" series of paintings have a clear inheritance line. Every work that remains in the world is a Japanese national treasure of art!"
"In my opinion, this is not the work of Master Katsushika Hokusai, but just an imitation by future generations!"
"But this painter's imitation level is very high, and it can be considered a good ukiyo-e work!"
After the words fell, Qian Guzhenmei and the others nodded slightly, obviously agreeing.
In fact, they have already seen this ukiyo-e, more or less times!
They also knew the authenticity of this ukiyo-e.
The gallery owner standing aside had a stiff expression on his face, but he didn't say anything.
No matter Zenitani Mamei, Hasegawa or Nezu, he couldn't afford to offend anyone!
Even if he was angry at Nejin's words, he could only endure it!
Xiao Ran nodded slightly, then turned to look at the gallery owner.
"Boss Kawashima, I am more interested in this ukiyo-e and plan to buy it and study it."
"What's the price for this print? If the price is right, I can consider buying it!"
Following his words, everyone at the scene was stunned for a moment.
Immediately afterwards, Zenitani Mami and the others all looked at the ukiyo-e, including the gallery owner.
It's a pity that they didn't discover anything new. This ukiyo-e remains the same!
In their eyes, the flaws in this ukiyo-e were very obvious, and it was not difficult to identify it!
Anyone with a certain understanding of Japanese culture and art can see the pros and cons of this painting.
It is not difficult for almost all knowledgeable Japanese people, and even for all Japanese people with some culture, to see the flaws in this ukiyo-e.
Because of this flaw, Japanese intellectuals basically disdain to collect such an ukiyo-e, even though the painting technique of this painting is indeed excellent!
Only those who are ignorant or tourists from foreign countries are likely to buy such an ukiyo-e with obvious flaws!
Xiao Ran suddenly proposed to buy this ukiyo-e.
In Qiangu Zhenmei's view, there is only one explanation!
This guy who seems to be omnipotent and expert in everything actually doesn’t know much about Japanese culture and history, nor does he understand Ukiyo-e, a unique Japanese art form!
After confirming this, a smile of schadenfreude flashed in the eyes of these guys!
Naturally, no one reminded me aloud that this ukiyo-e had flaws and was not worth collecting!
Even the few customers standing aside to watch the excitement shook their heads slightly, with even a hint of contempt in their eyes!
They are all Japanese, and they have certain appreciation ability, and they can also see the flaws in this painting.
After a moment's hesitation, the gallery owner made an offer.
"Mr. Sean, it is impossible to verify who created this ukiyo-e!"
“But it’s about a hundred years old, so it’s a nice piece of antique art!”
"Its offer is $8,000. If you can accept it, you can own this ukiyo-e!"
Xiao Ran did not respond immediately.
He looked at the ukiyo-e, thought for a moment, and then shook his head slightly.
"This is just a copycat work without the author's signature and the source is unknown!"
"I can offer up to US$5,000. If this price is acceptable, then I will accept this painting!"
Upon hearing his counteroffer, many Japanese people at the scene immediately felt relieved.
At this time, they were even more certain that this ukiyo-e was only worth $5,000.
The few customers who were still trying to cut off their beards all stopped and stood aside to watch the excitement!
After only a moment or two of hesitation, the gallery owner accepted the offer.
"Okay, Mr. Sean, $5,000, deal!"
"Deal, Boss Kawashima, happy cooperation!"
Xiao Ran nodded and bumped elbows with the gallery owner.
Immediately afterwards, he took out his mobile phone and started transferring money.
Kawashima took the ukiyo-e from the wall and handed it to Xiao Ran.
In a matter of moments, the art transaction was complete.
The next moment, Xiao Ran took the ukiyo-e and walked straight to the painting table next to him and placed the print on the painting table.
Then he took out a magnifying glass from his coat pocket, lowered his head and studied it carefully.
"ah!"
Suddenly there was a cry of exclamation at the scene, and all the Japanese were dumbfounded.
Seeing Xiao Ran's actions, their hearts suddenly jumped up, and they all couldn't believe it!
Could it be that there is another mystery to this ukiyo-e, that it is actually a top-notch work of art, but I just can’t recognize it?
How can this be? The flaws in this ukiyo-e are so obvious, how could anyone see it wrong?
Although they were feeling uneasy, Qian Guzhenmei and the others did not ask any questions, they just stared closely at Xiao Ran's every move!
Looking at the gallery owner Kawashima, he was stunned on the spot!
At this moment, Xiao Ran suddenly took off his mask, lowered his head and smelled the ukiyo-e print a few times.
Then, he said excitedly:
"Anthony, go get some gasoline and some towels!"
"There may be an unknown secret hidden beneath this ukiyo-e!"
"Okay, Sean."
Anthony nodded in response and immediately walked out of the gallery.
The next moment, Xiao Ran said again:
"Boss Kawashima, please go get some alcohol and iodophor, we may need them later!"
"Okay, Mr. Sean"
The gallery owner responded mechanically but did not move.
"Mr. Sean, what exactly did you find? Can you tell everyone about it?"
"Is there really some unknown secret hidden in this ukiyo-e painting?"
Qiangu Mami finally couldn't restrain her strong curiosity and asked aloud.
The rest of the Japanese were the same, looking at this ukiyo-e with curiosity and confusion at the same time!
Xiao Ran turned around to look at these blind guys, and nodded proudly.
"Yes, there are indeed some unknown secrets hidden under the surface of this ukiyo-e!"
“I don’t know exactly what these unknown secrets are for the time being!”
"But don't worry, the answer will be revealed soon!"
Katsushika Hokusai's "The Great Wave off Kanagawa"
