Japanese Art Store

The Japanese Art Store was a popular gift shop owned and operated by Tom Brown Okasaki. The Japan-themed shop carried unique and authentic imported items: authentic kimonos, fine china, and vases – you name it. In fact, if you check out the photo above, you will see plenty of china and vases on display.

The oldest newspaper reference I can find for this establishment dates back to September 1911, announcing their opening:

This shop was also a Christmas list favorite of local Houstonians, a few excerpts of which I’ve posted below.

“Please bring my Aunt Mary a silk kimona [sic] from the Japanese art store 715 Main st.”
— Houston Chronicle | November 1911 | Mentz Gordon Billingsby

“…some nice warm slippers from Boston Shoe Store…a vase from the Japanese Art Store, slumber socks from Krupp and Tuffly’s…”
— Houston Chronicle | December 1911 | Ruth Lipscomb

“If I were you I would get the handkerchiefs and hatpins at Levy Bros and the teapot at the Japanese Art Store.”
— Houston Chronicle | December 1911 | Theodore R. Heyck

The Japanese Art Store had barely existed for a year when the Mason building, which housed the shop, succumbed to a fire on may 19, 1912. Originating in the Stowers building, the inferno soon spread to the Mason Building, Temple Building, Levy Building, and Capitol Hotel Building. Overall, there was an estimated $1,000,000 in losses, equivalent to almost $32,000,000 today.

Mr. Okasaki’s losses were estimated at $14,000 with $11,000 of that being insured.

“T. Okasaki, proprietor of the Japanese art store in the Mason building, said that he intended to open up a new store just as soon as he can find a suitable location. His loss was largely from water but this means ruin to the greatest part of his stock which consisted of silks, costly fabrics and art work from Japan.”
— Houston Chronicle | May 20, 1912

While he expressed his wishes to re-open his once he found a suitable location, that sadly did not come to fruition. In 1914, almost 2 years later, the salvage from the Japanese Art Store was auctioned off to the highest bidder.