Mita Arts Gallery was established in 1963 about a year after the founder David Caplan came to live in Japan and developed a passion for Japanese woodblock prints.

David first began as a print collector and had no intention of becoming a gallery owner. However, David’s prior occupation as a dealer in precious stones required frequent travel to many places including USA and Europe and he soon became a “gentleman dealer” as he noticed many of the prints he purchased abroad and did not want to keep could be sold profitably in Japan.

David soon became a member of numerous Japanese “dealers auctions”. Normally closed to non-Japanese, David was welcomed as he became one of their best suppliers.

David’s son Ken, returning to Japan in 1991 after graduating from Brown University, moved Mita into a gallery space in 1995 in Tokyo’s Jimbocho area and began to focus on offering the finest, high-quality prints. Ken was also inspirational in starting the Mita catalogues of which No. 64 will be issued shortly.

Mita is a unique presence in the field of Japanese prints. Mita is the only ukiyo-e print gallery in Japan with foreign directors and a fully English-speaking staff.

With over 50 years of history and experience, Mita offers the highest level knowledge and expertise to our clients and fully guarantees the authenticity of all of their prints and paintings.

Mita has been the single largest buyer each year at the Nihon Ukiyoe Dealers Assn where Mita is one of the founding members over 40 years ago and where it remains on the board of directors. Mita also serves as directors of the International Ukiyoe Society.

Our philosophy is simple: We strive to offer the finest and most beautiful prints to our clients in the most professional and friendly way possible. We consider our clients as good friends and try our very best to make sure they are 100% happy with any purchase.

Thanks so much for your interest.
Ken Caplan