Antique Japanese suzuri bako (writing box). Made of beautiful keyaki (zelkova elm) burl and persimmon wood. Unusually fine joinery on the corners. With three small drawers. The top is a persimmon wood panel that lifts off to reveal a compartment intended for an ink stone. The inside of the compartment has traces of red pigment as well as calligraphy and an array of brush stokes. One can imagine the calligrapher hurriedly wiping his brush or making a practice stoke...

Kotatasu two-tiered table made of light colored Hinoke wood. In great condition. Stands uniquely tall, apart from the traditional low style of Japanese Kotatasu. Both tiers have criss cross wood design. Circa early 1900 Dimensions: 20.5" X 20.5" Across, 27" High

Japanese Cedar, Cyprus wood two(2) section Tansu, Ca. Meiji period 1890's, 42" high, 35 1/2" wide, 16 1/2" deep, 2 graduated size long drawers above 2 long drawers in lower section, total 4 long drawers. Old red lacquer on black iron back plates are still visible. Small hole on the lower left side of bottom frame. The condition is original as found condition.

An antique 2 section tall Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Beautiful original finish of fine Shunkei-Nuri (lacquer) in front and a wiped lacquer technique on the top and sides. In addition, the handmade iron hardware is original with Warabite handles. Top section has two sliding doors with 5 drawers below...

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made with Hinoki (cypress) wood. Tastefully designed with hirute style handles, and slats on its sides and front sliding panels, opening to reveal an open storage area and two drawers. Original honey tone finish. Meiji period (1868-1912) Size: 36" H x 36" L x 17.75" D

Beautiful Japanese antique chobako (merchant's safe box) made all of keyaki (elm) wood with original deep reddish-orange lacquer finish, dramatic keyaki burl wood used, extensive dove tail joinery, heavy copper hardware including elaborately cut lock plates, top portion has sliding panels that reveal 4 small drawers of different sizes, bottom portion has one larger exterior drawer and a drop in door that covers 2 more small interior drawers, has 2 keys, Edo Period. Size: 11 1/2" high x 22...

Beautiful Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), keyaki (elm) wood frame and front with nice hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood side bracing, nice keyaki wood grain, two compartments with sliding panels, 5 drawers, a safe box with 3 small interior drawers, iron hardware with hirute shaped drawer pulls, sliders pulls are made of bronze, Meiji Period (1868-1912) Size: 30" high x 25 3/4" wide x 13" deep.

Antique Japanese Red Lacquer Dragon Altar Table with Floating top cover and raised ends. Wonderfully elegant and dramatic. Top inset panel Gilt carved dragon clutching his flaming ball over clouds. Glass eyes on dragon. Lower inset panel with birds flying over waves in gilt. Done with lovely lively quality. Lower shelf on four carved curving legs. Gilt bronze hardware of floral design. Overall good condition for age. Meiji Period (1868-1912) Size: 60" L x 19" D x overall 37"H

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu made from solid Keyaki (Zelkova) & Keyaki Burl woods with a Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood drawer back. Removable trick shelves behind the sliding side by side doors. Original bronze fittings and a lucky Gourd carved drawer handle out of Kakinoki (Persimmon) wood with the same wood used for the sliding door handles...

Japanese antique kuruma from the Noto Peninsula area, very unusual configuration: large drawer on top with chrysanthemum lock, 4 drawers with ring pulls and locking bar on left side of chest, to the right is an open compartment with sliders with vertical slats, below that is a medium size drawer, on the bottom left is another open compartment covered by sliders with horizontal slats, on the bottom right is a safe box with small interior drawers, comes with 2 keys, has a removable carved w...

An antique Japanese Nagoya Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original bronze hardware. 2 section set. Upper section features 2 sets of sliding doors and four side by side drawers below. Bottom section has a pair of sliding doors and 3 side by side drawers. Originally used as a kitchen chest to store large jars of water, dishes, cooking utensils and serving ware...

Antique Japanese beautifully contrasted light kiri wood tansu with iron locks, hardware and flower lock fixtures. Tansu has a deep brown/maroon colored lacquered frame. Beautiful tansu, drawers slide easily. Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 37" High, 34 1/2" Wide, 17" Deep

A rare antique Japanese Kuruma Tansu (wheeled chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original including the finish and hand made iron fittings. Unique all drawer design. Iron rope rings on each corner to help roll this chest from place to place. Mortise and tenon joinery and hardened wood nails used in its construction. Sides and back horizontal ribs for added strength and durability...

A gorgeous Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai region, with a red lacquer Sugi (cedar) frame and Keyaki (elm) front drawers in its original, rich honey finish. Each drawer opens with mokko (melon) style handles on lotus back plates, and is adorned with elaborate scrolling vine iron locks. The bottom safe box holds three red lacquer front drawers, and hides away a secret back compartment.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 46.5" L x 23.5" W x 34.5" H

An antique Japanese Yosegi Kobako (marquetry personal drawer box) from the Hakone region made of various natural colored woods with a Kusunoki (Camphor) wood structure and drawer backs. The expert craftsmanship is quite evident by how the front marquetry design flows seamlessly across all of the drawers, the sides, the top and the back of the piece...

Beautiful pair of Chinese 17th/18th century display cabinets, made with a combination of dramatic hardwoods. Two upper shelves are bordered by decorative carved panels. Two drawers sit above a hinged pair of doors with roomy storage inside.

Provenance: Pvt. Collection Zentner Family

Size: 71.5" height, 30.75" width, 17.5" depth

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), made with hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood on the front, sugi (cryptomeria) wood sides and top, and kiri (paulownia) wood drawer interiors. The top portion has a full width drawer below which is a compartment covered by two large sliding panels.
The lower portion has 7 drawers of various size and a safe box in the lower right hand corner with two interior drawers...

An antique Japanese Kansai Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles. Two sliding doors behind which the merchant stored business books and records. 9 drawers of varying sizes for business storage and organizing...

Antique Japanese tansu with 9 drawers. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood with traces of black lacquer. The upper portion of the chest has three full-width drawers. The lower portion of the chest has five drawers of various sizes including three very small drawers. Iron hardware includes square drawer pulls and heavy lock plates. Nice patination over all.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 25 3/4" high x 29 3/4" wide x 14" deep

A small sized kiri or paulownia wood tansu with iron decorative fittings and locks surrounding the drawers and the sides of the tansu. The locks are decorated with motifs in the form of a plant and curved features for the side fittings. The bottom of all the drawers contain an inscription of which drawer goes where and the name of the previous owner. The top drawer, which has the most inscriptions, states that the tansu was acquired on November 23, 24th year of Meiji (1891) in the town of Mitsu...

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand made iron fittings including the Warabite handles and finish. The front has a natural Kirinoki wood finish while the case was finished in a wiped Urushi lacquer technique. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" Wide x 20" High x 13" Deep

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and full moon lock plates. 6 drawers of varying sizes allow for generous storage. Sliding doors open to a split level compartment where merchant business books and records were kept. Hinged security door to the lower right hides two additional small drawers where store valuables were kept. Construction included Japanese straight dovetai...

Antique Japanese gyosho bako, or merchant's chest, in a tall and slender style with many drawers. It is made of kiri (paulownia) wood with a dark brown lacquer. The drawers bear an emblem faded from age, perhaps once used to label the contents inside. The very bottom drawer has an iron locking plate. Edo age (1615-1867). Exhibited in Palo Alto Cultural Center. Size: 36" height, 11" width, 14" depth

Japanese antique two section large choba tansu (merchant's chest) from the Kansai area, made with hinoki (Japanese cypress wood) with a beautiful natural finish. The top section has sliding panels made with keyaki burl (elm) and 4 drawers. The bottom section has 3 large drawers and another set of sliding panels with horizontal slats. The lower right hand side has a small drawer below which is a safe box with two interior drawers. The hardware is iron with warabite shaped handles. The top s...

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kurinoki (Chestnut), Keyaki (Elm)and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Sliding doors cover a spacious area where business books and documents were stored. Hand made iron fittings and hardened wooden nails were used in the construction of this chest. Multiple drawers were used to store business stationary, writing brushes, money and business supplies. This piece comes from the Kansai area of Japan.

Merchant chests were prominently sit...

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu known as a personal storage chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original reddish bronze fittings using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails in its construction. The two sliding doors hides a split level shelf with additional storage.

Originally used to store letters, books, documents, writing instruments, and other personal family effects. Present day function includes using it as a bed side cabinet or displaying it as a s...

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made with all kiri (paulownia) wood on the front and sugi (cryptomeria) wood on the sides and top. The tansu has a full-width drawer on the upper portion above a compartment with sliding panels on the left and two small drawers on the right. The lower portion of the chest has two medium sized drawers on the left and a safe box above a small drawer on the lower right. The safe has a door with heavy iron hardware which opens to two small interior ...

An antique Japanese Edo era Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original finish and hand made iron fittings. Made with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Original used to store daily documents, ephemera, small utilitarian accessories and personal items. Present day uses include using it as a small side table or a bedside nightstand.

Size: 19 7/8"W 14 3/8"D 14 3/4"H Age: early Edo Period (1644-1868)

Antique Japanese 2-section todana tansu, comprised all of Keyaki (elm) wood, with stunning, bold natural burl front panels with original, warm finish. Simplistic design with minimalistic hardware. Its two lowest sets of sliding door panels hold spacious shelved storage room within, while the top holds an open space. A small lift-away panel with an eggplant shaped handle adds a subtle touch of charm.

Taisho age (1912-1925)

Size: 35" L x 18" W x 66.75" H

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant storage box) made of Kurinoki (Chestnut) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand made iron fittings including the Hirute drawer handles and the Warabite carrying handle. It features unique Cherry blossom escutcheons behind the drawer handles and a coin slot at the top that drops into the top left drawer. The other 5 drawers were used to safely keep small store valuables.

Signed at the base that translates to read: "Made Meiji 40 (1907)...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Sakuranoki (Cherry wood), Kuri (Chestnut), Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery. Horizontal side slats match the sliding door slats. Three drawers and the space behind the doors provide spacious storage.

Originally used by a merchant to keep store records, books, supplies and sometimes inventory, this chest works wells in a contemporary setting as a sideboard...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Mokko handles. Beautiful Japanese joinery including straight dovetail joints reinforced with hardened wood nails. Hinged door (often called the Theive's door) behind which lies two small drawers that held valuables. A secret box lies behind the bottom small drawer where extreme valuables were kept.

Age: Mid Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Antique Japanese Solid keyaki (elm) wood desk with original dark brown finish. One long central drawer with three smaller drawers at each of its sides. Old growth Keyaki used for the entire construction. Very heavy and solid in weight. Early Meiji period (1868-1912) Would look stunning with two custom black iron stand made to raise to western size (height). Size: 14" H x 39,5" L x 24" D

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage) chest made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the slightly Gumbai style handles. Used for all purpose family storage of papers, letters and sundry articles, it works well in a contemporary home as a side chest or night stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 21 1/2" Wide by 21 3/4" High by 13" Deep

An antique Japanese low Mizuya Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original iron handles on upper sliding doors. A pair of large sliding doors allows for spacious storage. Originally used in Japan as a kitchen chest for the storage of dry goods and cooking/serving ware, it would function well as a buffet or sideboard chest.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Era (1910-1920).

Dimensions: 47 3/4" Wide by 31" High by 14 5/8" Deep

Antique Japanese two-section Mastumoto tansu, made from sugi (cedar) wood with mokko (melon) handles mounted on elaborate handle backplates typical to the region, large round center lock plates with incised kiri leaf mon, or family crests. It has the original red lacquer finish and is extremely shiny. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 42.5" height, 34" width, 16.5" depth

An elaborately inlaid three drawer marquetry cabinet, unusually, with tambour doors. This item was made in Japan, for export, during the late 19th or early 20th century. In very good used condition; there is one small piece of veneer missing from the top back corner of the right side; no further losses, no restoration and no alterations. 23 cm (9 inches) high; 24.5 cm (9.5 inches) high.

An antique Japanese Sakata Kasane (stacking chest on chest) Tansu in 2 sections made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged Iron hardware. Using Japanese joinery including straight dovetails and age consistent hardened wood nails. Originates from the famous tansu making town of Sakata in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Secret box is well hidden behind bottom drawer hidden behind small hinged door.

Formerly used for kimono storage, its contemporary function includes using it for ...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. It has a configuration of 9 drawers, a pair of Biraki-Do (hinged doors) hiding a center shelf and a thief's door behind which lies two more small drawers. Two side lift-up handles through which a bamboo pole would go allowing two persons to carry this tansu from place to place.

Originating in the Tohoku region of Japan, th...

An antique Japanese Tsuruoka Bo Tansu (chest with locking bar) made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. The locking bar features a flying crane amidst a forest of Sho Chiku Bai (Pine trees, Bamboo and Plum blossom trees). The lock plate on the bottom drawer features an auspicious sea turtle. Longevity is represented by the crane (1,000 years), the turtle (10,000 years) and the Pine tree while strength and tenac...

Wood and lacquer lectern (kendai) with a drawer at the foot. Takamaki-e decoration representing an eagle on a rocky promontory, surrounded by vegetation. Head down and wings half unfolded, it is about to fly away, perhaps to hunt its prey.

The eagle is considered as the king of birds. Its tail feathers are said to be the best feathers for an arrow. It is said that these were given to the imperial court and to the shrine of Ise (Mie prefecture), one of the most sacred places in Shint...

Rare antique Japanese tansu chest from Takayama city in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. Made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with orangish lacquer finish. Iron hardware includes scalloped drawer corners and round lock plates on the three small drawers which line the upper portion of the chest. Below this are four larger drawers with hirute drawer pulls. The large drawers are held in place with a locking bar.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 30 3/4" high x 30" wid...

A rare antique Japanese Gyosho Bako (Peddler's Chest) in a three stacking section set made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. In its original finish it features iron and bronze fittings . Through rope holes at the bottom to allow the stacked sections to be securely fitted allowing the peddler to carry the chest like a backpack. When separated, the top of each section has a surrounding wood border allowing a table-like surface to display wares for sale.

Age: Late Edo Period ((1800-1...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Aka Matsu (Red Pine) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Unusual counter Ryo Biraki design with door hinges in the center of the piece opens to a configuration of drawers and open cavities where store records and books were held. It has a low profile that was custom designed for the merchant for his specific needs. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails.

Age: ...

Japanese three-section kimono tansu made from kiri wood, its mid and bottom section has five long drawers with round metal lockplates that slide open to reveal a keyhole, and two warabite handles adorned with flora. The topmost section of the tansu has two smaller drawers with a single handle each, topped with two sliding panel doors, opening to a shelved interior and two more small drawers with adorable twin fish handle pulls. Size: 61.5" height, 45.5" width, 16" depth

A sublime square japanese export table decorated with scrolling clouds, flora, and rising dragons. The intricate and detailed carvings were popular during the Meiji period when most of Japan's fine arts and crafts were being exported to the West. This table would have been produced for the Western market at the time. Age: Meiji Period Size: Length 19" width 20.5" height 31"

This is an antique Japanese tall 2 section kimono tansu that was made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The finish and the hand made iron fittings are all original to the chest. Behind the sliding doors is a storage area with a split level shelf. The bottom section features a hinged door that hides two small drawers. The sides and top of the tansu has a natural Urushi wiped lacquer finish.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35" Wide x 64" High x 1...

A Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage Chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Hand made iron fittings and hardened wooden nails were used in the construction of this chest.

Originally used in a Japanese home to store letters, documents, stationary, and small items, its contemporary use as a bedside stand or a side table adds functionality and elegance to any home.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 22 1/2" High x 21 3/4" Wide x 12 1/4" Deep

Japanese keyaki wood tansu originating from the Yamagata region of Japan, with a black lacquer frame, iron hardware, lockplates incised with flora, and a side locking hinged door with a center kan pull mounted on flower plating. Inscriptions on the back reads: "Shibata County, Numabe Village. A gift from Ohtsuki Fukuju. 18th year of Showa (1943), January 15th." and "20th year of Showa (1945) Lunar Calendar, February 15th. For the marriage of Kitaro and Tori. Matchmaker, Suzuki Sutezo." T...

A charming Japanese small tansu made from kiri (paulownia) wood, with attractive, simple iron fittings. Each drawer features a round iron lock plate and gunbai style handles. Size: 22.5" height, 25" width, 13" depth

Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), original dark brown translucent lacquer finish, made of sugi (cryptomeria), iron hardware, one shelf on interior of slider compartment, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 43" high x 37 1/4" wide x 15 1/4" deep.

Antique Japanese single section mizuya (kitchen tansu) made of sugi (crytomeria) wood and finished a light natural color. The large single compartment is opened by two sliding panels with details made of keyaki wood and rounded horizontal rounded slatsof sugi wood.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33" high x 71 1/4" wide x 19 1/4" deep.

A rare antique Ryobiraki Choba Tansu (merchant chest with hinged doors) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original thick gauged hand forged iron hardware. Shackle lock with working key secures the removable hinged doors that open to a pair of sliding doors and four drawers. A secret button unlatches the left hinged door to open. The spacious area behind the sliding doors was used to store merchant business records and books while the drawers were used to store money,...

Japanese wooden chest with a black lacquered body and iron handles on its front and back side, and red lacquered lid. The chest's top and sides are decorated with a gorgeous mother of pearl inlay in the shape of a kiri leaf, from the Tokugawa family. It is lined in rice paper and sits upon an added black wooden stand. Edo period (1615-1867) Size: (with stand) 20.5" height (no stand) 16" height, 24" width, 15.5" depth

Antique Japanese small Kiri (paulownia) tansu with seven drawers, each with warabite handles and round lock plates. All original condition and finish hardwood.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 23.5" L x 15.5" W x 27.5" H

An antique Japanese Kiri Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Using hand made iron fitting and Kakute style handle pulls. Construction includes straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails. Two drawers behind the small hinged Kobiraki door.

A secret box can be found hidden behind the bottom small drawer in back of the hinged door. This box also has a slide out top lid and a finger hole pull.

Age: Early Meiji period (1870-1880)...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu is made of kiri with iron hardware. The tansu has an upper large drawer. Below the drawer there is a sliding panel with one interior shelf. On the right side is 3 small drawers. The bottom section has two medium sized drawers and on the right side a door with lock. Behind the door are two small drawers with locks.

Date: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 30" long X 15.5 " deep X 30.5" tall

Japanese large three(3) section Kimono Tansu with ornate decorative simple hardware, Ca. 1920, 60" high, 47" wide, upper section has two(2) sliding doors reveals open space with shelves on the right side, and two(2) small drawers for lady's necessary assortment and jewelry in the left side above three(3) large drawers horizontally next each other and middle drawer has lock compartment with very pretty flower shape metal lock backplate. Middle section contains three(3) pull out long trays for st...

Antique Japanese small tansu in original red lacquer finish. Classic design with squared (kakute) handles and corner safe box. Beautiful condition. Size: 24" H x 28" W x 16" D

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Upper section has two sliding doors behind which is a 1/2 split level shelf with 3 side by side drawers below. Center and bottom sections each have 2 large drawers for abundant clothes storage. All original bronze and iron hardware with an acquired original patina.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 35 3/4" Wide by 55 3/4" High by 15 3/8" Deep