Our Story

版画の家— The House of Prints

Hanga House was founded in 2024 by two collectors who spent over a decade buying and selling prints across Tokyo, London, and New York. The name comes from the Japanese word for printmaking — 版画(hanga) — a tradition we grew up with in Kyoto’s gallery district.

We started with Japanese woodblock prints and expanded into contemporary editions by Kusama, Hockney, Hirst, and others. Over the years, we handled more than 400 prints personally — sourcing from private collections, estate sales, and gallery consignments across three continents.

We built Hanga House because we were tired of opaque pricing, high auction fees, and platforms that treated prints as commodities rather than works of art. The secondary print market is worth billions, but it lacks transparency. Auction houses charge 25–30% buyer’s premiums. Online platforms offer no authentication guarantees. Private dealers operate behind closed doors.

Hanga House is different. We authenticate every work through a rigorous seven-step process before it reaches the marketplace. Our commission is 10–15%, agreed before listing, with no upfront fees. Every transaction includes a full condition report, provenance documentation, and specialist courier delivery with transit insurance.

400+

Prints handled personally

33

Artists represented

2024

Founded, Cupertino CA

Seven-Step Verification

Every work listed on Hanga House passes through our seven-step authentication process before it reaches the marketplace. Here is what that looks like in practice:

  1. 1

    We read the work's history — who owned it, where it was purchased, how it was stored.

  2. 2

    We check the certificate against known records. For Banksy, that means Pest Control. For Kusama, Abe Publishing.

  3. 3

    We examine the work under controlled lighting — paper stock, ink registration, condition.

  4. 4

    We verify the edition number against published records and catalogues raisonnés.

  5. 5

    For artists with known forgery issues — Banksy, Warhol, Haring — we consult specialist authenticators.

  6. 6

    We cross-reference recent auction and private sale data to confirm market positioning.

  7. 7

    A senior team member signs off. If it doesn't pass, we don't list it. We've turned down works that didn't meet our standard.

Team

Our team combines deep art market expertise with operational rigour. We work with a network of specialist authenticators, conservators, and logistics partners across Tokyo, London, and New York.

Kenji Takahashi — Authentication & Sourcing

Specialist in post-war Japanese prints and British contemporary editions. Over fifteen years of experience in the Tokyo and London gallery circuit, with particular expertise in Kusama, Riley, and Hockney editions. Kenji oversees every authentication and maintains relationships with artist estates and catalogue raisonné publishers. Based in Tokyo.

Porsche Ma — Collector Relations & Operations

Manages all buyer and seller relationships, from initial enquiry through to delivery. Porsche brings a decade of experience in art logistics and collection management, with a focus on transparency, fair dealing, and building long-term collector relationships. Handles pricing strategy, market analysis, and insured shipping coordination. Based in Cupertino.

How It Works

For Buyers

  1. 01

    Browse & Enquire

    Explore over 600 works by 33 artists. Submit an enquiry on any piece and we will send a full condition report within 24 hours.

  2. 02

    Condition Report & Provenance

    You receive a detailed condition report, provenance summary, and certificate verification before any commitment is made.

  3. 03

    Purchase & Delivery

    Once agreed, we arrange specialist courier shipping with full transit insurance. All documentation transfers to you.

For Sellers

  1. 01

    Submit Your Work

    Tell us about your print — artist, edition details, provenance, condition, and your asking price. We respond within 24 hours.

  2. 02

    Authentication & Pricing

    Our team authenticates the work through our seven-step process and agrees a listing price based on current market data. Commission is 10–15%, agreed before listing.

  3. 03

    List & Sell

    Your work goes live to our collector network. We handle all enquiries, negotiate on your behalf, and arrange insured shipping to the buyer.

Questions? Email contact@hangahouse.com or visit our contact page.

Every work authenticated
7-Step Verification
Provenance Documented
Insured Delivery