An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hardware including the Warabite bronze handles and hand made iron fittings. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Two small drawers are hidden behind the hinged door.

Chests such as these were used primarily by a Japanese family to store their documents, letters, ephemera, photos and other treasured keepsakes...

An antique Japanese Yosegi Kobako (marquetry personal drawer box) from the Hakone region made of various natural colored woods with a Hinoki (Cypress) structure and drawer backs. The expert craftsmanship is quite evident by how the front marquetry design flows seamlessly across all of the drawers while the horizontal and vertical marquetry of the top and sides adds texture and dimension to the piece.

Yosegi is a centuries old traditional Japanese craft that began in the late Edo era...

An antique Japanese Kyodai (mirror stand) made of Toneriko (Tamo Ash) and Tochonoki (Horse Chestnut) woods. Original bronze fittings and finish. The bottom support panel features a relief hand carving of a flying crane, a sea turtle, a pine tree and bamboo, all good luck symbols representing longevity and strength...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant box) made of thick Hinoki (Cypress) and thick Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Straight dovetail joinery with hardened wooden nail construction. Original bronze and iron hardware. Two different sized coin slots at the top of the box. Includes a working key.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 10 7/8" Side x 12" High x 11 7/8" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Uncommon and rare small size. The sides feature horizontal cross ribs for added strength and durability. Its construction included mortise and tenon as well as through mortise and tenon joinery. Behind the two sets of sliding doors are storage areas originally used to keep business store records and ledgers...

An antique Japanese Haribako (traditional tall neck sewing box) made of Kuwa (Mulberry), Kuri (Chestnut), and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original finish and hand made bronze hardware. The two upper drawers and the small drawer on the upper neck all have wooden sliding covers to protect the contents within. The hinged cover on the upper neck opens to a small recess where a pin cushion was kept. The center of the neck has a hole where originally a ruler called Shaku used to be held...

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) that was made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original beautiful Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron and bronze hardware including the Warabite handles. Pine and plum blossom Atari (handle backstops) and lock plates featuring a wealthy traveler's hat, Mino (straw cape), Takarabukuro (treasure bag) and Uchide No Kozuchi (treasure mallet)...

An antique Japanese Gyosho Bako also known as a merchant peddler's chest with the outer case and hinged door made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and the inner drawers and drawer floor boards made of Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron fittings. Side handles swivel up allowing a wood or bamboo pole to slide through so that two attendants can easily transport the chest...

An antique Japanese Katana Tansu (sword chest) made entirely of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. All original hand made iron fittings including the Hirute drawer handles. Some loss to the metal commensurate with its age. Large top drawer stored the Katana, medium drawer stored the Wakazashi and the small drawer stored the polishing tools and extra hardware.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 44 1/4" Wide x 12" High x 12" Deep

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)

An antique Japanese Kimono Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand made iron fittings with an open ceremonial fan design on the lock plates and Hirute drawer handles. Recessed hidden side handles on the upper section...

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...

An antique Japanese 2 section Isho Biraki Tansu (Kimono Chest with hinged doors) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. The two doors open to a spacious storage area that houses 2 removable shelves with compartment separators. The bronze and iron fittings are original to the chest. Each section has recessed side handles...

An antique Japanese Katana Tansu (sword chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All of the iron fittings are original and hand made including the Hirute handles. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 43 5/8" Wide x 12" High x 12 1/8"Deep

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...

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...

An antique Japanese Matsumoto Kimono Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand made iron fittings including stylized Mokko handles with unusual front drawer corner decorative plates. Each side has its main swivel carrying handles where a bamboo pole slipped through and two attendants on each side would easily transport this chest. The two lower hand handles would be used to position and place the tansu. Two small drawers hide behind the hinged door.

Age: Meiji...

An antique rare Japanese Ko Tansu (Personal Storage Chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Raden (Mother of Pearl) inlay over a burlap black Urushi lacquer foundation. A floral design showcasing a landscape scene of a full moon peeking over mystic clouds with birds in flight and in the water. A footbridge is being crossed by scholars with Wisteria above and Plum trees balancing out the design.

Original bronze fittings and some loss commensurate with its ...

An antique Japanese Gyosho Tansu also known as a merchant peddler's chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Five drawers behind the hinged front door and a sixth drawer below the door. The sides have upper iron cord holding rings and cord holes at the bottom which allowed the merchant to carry this tansu on his back while transporting his wares. All original hand made iron hardware.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 10 1/2" Wide x 27" High x 19" Deep

An antique Japanese 1 section Todana Tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Four sliding doors open to a spacious storage area behind. Four drawers along the bottom allow for additional organized storage below. Original hand made iron fittings complete this beautiful chest.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 66 7/8" Wide x 33 1/2" High x 23 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kiri Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original finish and hand made iron fittings. Two small drawers behind the small hinged door. Hidden behind the bottom small drawer is a secret pull-out box that was used to store valuables by the original Japanese owner of this chest.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 38 1/2" Wide x 40 1/2" High x 17 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu also known as a ship captain's chest with a Keyaki (Zelkova) wood exterior and a Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood interior. Finished in a natural Urushi lacquer, it showcases the beautiful wood grain. Hidden to the right behind the sliding doors are small drawers for additional storage and a removable Kakesuzuri Bako complete with inkstone. All of the bronze fittings are original to the piece and the dovetail joinery adds strength and durability to this fine wor...

An antique Japanese 2 section Nihon Matsu Tansu made of Urushi lacquered Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original finish and hand made iron fittings. Features double plum blossom Atari (handle stoppers) above and below the handles with Sho Chiku Bai (Pine tree, Bamboo, and Plum Blossom), lock plates featuring Chrysanthemum knobs. Two small drawers hide behind the hinged door.

The Nihon Matsu tansu is traditionally a large kimono storage chest that has spacious storage...

An antique Japanese Kansai Tansu in an unusual and unique multi-drawer design made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware with straight dovetail joinery and using hardened wood nails in its construction. Divided compartment behind the sliding upper doors with wall separator allows for strength on its top where heavy objects can be displayed. Handles were designed in the Hirute style.

Age: Late Meiji Period (1890-1912)

Dimensions: 33 1/4" Wide x 36 3/8" High x ...

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Hidden behind the hinged door are two small drawers. All original hand made iron fittings with Gumbai handle with a natural wood grain finish and straight dovetail joinery construction.

Chests such as these were used in a home to store letters, photos, miscellaneous ephemera, small valuables and other sundry items. It was an invaluable piece of Japanese furniture that ke...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Suginoki (Cryptomeria) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Original Urushi lacquer front with a wiped lacquer technique used on the body. Hand made iron fittings with the round sliding door handles featuring an incised design of a lucky Pine tree and an old Minka (thatched roof Japanese home). The bottom hinged door opens to reveal a set of 3 small drawers.

Merchant chests provided two important key elements for the ...

A rare antique Japanese Niigata Kiri Children's Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. It features a stylized Chrysanthemum design on each plate which represents the Mon or family crest of the original owner and Gumbai handles. The iron fittings were all hand made and the chest was constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

These children's chests are not often seen in Japan. This is because they were not made in th...

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 Ko Tansu or personal storage chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Hand made iron fittings and Warabite style handle pulls accent this chest. With a Kobiraki hinged door, it hides 3 small drawers behind. It was constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. It has an unusual depth in its size which was custom designed for its original owner well over a century ago.

Present day functions for this tansu would include using it as a ...

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Hand made iron fittings with Warabite style drawer pulls. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Original use was for the family storage of ephemera, small valuables, letters, documents, etc. Present day uses include functioning as a bedside stand or being used as an elegant side table.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 20n 1/2" High x...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu also known as a merchant chest made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods,most likely from the Nigata area of Japan. Featuring a Ryo Biraki (hinged double door) design it has a split level shelf where documents and merchant books were stored. Gumpai style handles and hand made iron fittings decorate this chest.

Merchant chests such as these were primarily displayed in a prominent location in the store. As a form of advertising, it conveyed...

An antique Japanese 2 section Mizuya tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Two sets of large sliding doors behind which large jars of water from the river or stream were stored for food preparation and cooking. The drawers along the bottom were used to store kitchen tools and utensils.

Contemporary functional uses for this chest include using it as an elegant storage cabinet or using the sections separately with the bottom section used as a buffet and the upper...

An antique Japanese Sakata Bo Tansu also known as a locking bar chest made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original finish using a wiped lacquer technique. The bottom drawer lock plate features a Chrysanthemum blossom motif surrounded by outstretched Chrysanthemum leaves.

There are two small drawers hidden behind the hinged door. Working key unlocks the locking bar. Two lift-up side handles allowed for a large pole to go through where two attendants could ea...

An antique Japanese merchant desk made of Keyaki burl (Zelkova), Honoki (Magnolia), and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Elegant two leg support balancing 5 drawers. Bronze metal pulls and through mortise and tenon joinery brings this well designed functional chest together.

Present day contemporary uses for this desk would include additional storage and document shelf atop a full sized counter or large desk as well as an elegant display riser to showcase a statue or porcelain figurine.

An antique Japanese 2 section Nihon Matsu Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Natural Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron fittings. Accented with butterfly and plum blossom Atari handle backstops. Lock plates feature the Sho Chiku Bai (three felicitous friends of winter) motif and two side by side Chrysanthemum flowers . Hinged door covers two small drawers and includes a working key.

Substantial storage capacity as it is typically found on the Nihon ...

An antique Japanese Kansai 2 section tall Todana Tansu made of solid Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Hand made iron fittings and hardened wooden nail and iron nail construction. Traditional Japanese joinery throughout this lovey chest. Shunkei style lacquer reveals the beautiful grain pattern which evokes visual movement. Side wood supports typical of Kansai region tansu.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 66" High x 41 3/4" Wide x 23 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood with hand made iron fittings. Featuring lock plates that depict the full moon, each drawer has Kakute handles.

Originally used to store Japanese kimono, this chest will function well in any contemporary home as a bedroom dresser, a linen chest in a dining room or as side tables when separated.

Age: Meiji period: 1868-1912

Dimensions: 43 1/8" High x 36 1/2" Wide x...

An antique Japanese Niigata 2 section Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) with hand made iron fittings. The lock plates feature the Sho Chiku Bai motif (Pine, Bamboo, Plum Blossom known as the 3 felicitous friends of winter) with the longevity symbols of the turtles and crane. Each drawer has Kakute handle pulls and the hinged door hides 3 small drawers.

The front of the chest is made of natural Kirinoki while the tansu body was designed using a dark red wiped lacquer technique. Cons...

An antique Japanese 1/2 Sendai Tansu made of Kakinoki (Persimmon) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Hand made iron fittings featuring beautiful lock plates on the drawers and the hinged door.

There are 2 secret hiding compartments behind the hinged door. The first is found by sliding out the bottom drawer separator wall revealing a secret storage area where valuables could be hidden. The second is found within the top drawer support floor board which can be opened like a drawer where...

An antique Japanese 2 section tall Kyoto Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All iron fittings are original and hand made. Two sliding Keyaki doors the top section open to a spacious storage area behind while a hinged door on the lower section opens to two small drawers.

Straight dovetail joinery construction using hardened wooden nails. Tansu of this configuration have become rare to find in Japan.

An antique Japanese alter tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Sliding doors cover an area used to store religious books featuring decorative side cut-outs for ventilation. Multiple drawer configuration used to store alter fittings and accessories.

Age: Late Edo Period (1800-1868)

Dimensions: 29 3/8" High x 36" Wide x 14 3/4" Deep

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...

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

An antique Japanese 2 section tall Isho Tansu (Kimono Chest) made from Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Handmade iron fittings and sliding door handles that feature embossed Paulownia and Chrysanthemums. Side handles were used for transporting this chest.

The 2 sections allows this piece to be used as a stacked set or separated for use in different rooms of the home.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 63 1/8" High x 35 1/4" Wide x 15 1/8" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Kiri Kasane Tansu (stacked chest on chest) with handmade iron fittings. Bottom section features a hinged door behind which houses 2 small drawers). The top of each lock plate displays a stylized Chrysanthemum while above each handle has a plum blossom Ue Atari (upper handle stopper).

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 43 1/2" High x 37 1/2" Wide x 18" Deep

Antique Japanese 2 Section Kiri Kasane (chest on chest) Tansu constructed entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Two full drawers on top section with 1 full drawer and a smaller drawer with hinged door hiding 2 small drawers on the bottom half. Traditionally used to store kimonos, obis, and textile accessories, its contemporary use includes a dresser drawer, linen cabinet or when separated used as side tables or bedside nightstands.

Two features to note: There lies a secret box hidden beh...

Antique Japanese kannon biraki isho tansu (chest on chest with hinged doors for storing clothing). Made with all keyaki (elm) wood on the front. Sugi (cryptomeria) wood on the sides and top. The top portion of the tansu has hinged doors which open to reveal two large drawers. The bottom section has two large exterior drawers and a safe box with a hinged door in the lower right hand side. Inside the safe box are three small drawers. Extensive iron hardware includes cross bracing and hinges ...

Antique Japanese mizuya (kitchen tansu) in two sections. The frame is made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with a very smooth grain. Sliding panels and drawer fronts are made of keyaki (elm) wood with dramatic grain. The top section has a large compartment that runs the width of the chest and is covered by 4 sliding panels with keyaki burl wood. The next compartment down is larger and is covered by 2 large sliding panels with decorative cut outs backed with keyaki wood. On the right is ...

An antique Japanese Mizuya (kitchen) Tansu single section made of keyaki wood. The top section has four sliding panels. The mid section has 5 medium sized drawers. The lower section has two large sliding panels. Adjacent to the panels is a small drawer and hinged door with a large compartment.

Date: early Meiji (19th Century)

Dimensions: 67" tall X 76" wide X 21" deep.

An antique Japanese Choba (merchant's chest) from the Mikuni area with a keyaki wood front. The top section is two sliding panels of natural urushe lacquer finish. The bottom section consists of two medium sized drawers with a small door adjacent and a hinged door. The hinged door has two interior drawers behind it. The hardware is an ornate lock plate and square handles (kakute). The back and framework are cryptomeria (kiri) wood.

Date: Edo age (1850's)

Dimensions: 36" ta...

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. Hardware includes Hirute drawer pulls, square lock plates and corner br...

An antique Japanese two sectional Tansu of kiri wood (paulownia) with four large drawers used for clothing. The original iron hardware has four locks. The drawers have warabite curved handles.

Date: Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 40" tall X 37" wide X 16.5" deep

An antique Gyosho Bako (peddlar's chest) with the original dark brown lacquer. The chest has 4 drawers in the top section. Three of the drawers have iron hardware locks. The bottom section has one hinged locked door with 3 small drawers hidden behind it. Two of the drawers have iron locks. The original loops on both sides are for the rope the peddlar uses to carry the chest.

Date: Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 35" tall X 11" wide X 16" deep

An antique Japanese two section tansu with lovely fan lock made of Kiri and Sugi. Mokko hardware with raised tea leaf corners. The chest's top portion has two large drawers with an adjacent small drawer and locked door with two interior drawers. The bottom section has two large drawers. Good condition overall.

Date: mid Meiji (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36" tall X 40 " wide X 17" deep

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) from the Niigata region of Japan. The front section is made of burled keyaki (Zelkova) and the sides are sugi (Crytomeria). The tansu has a pair of burled wood sliding doors over two burled drawers with heavy iron locks. Exceptional burled Keyaki wood.

Date: Early Meiji - 1870's

Dimensions: 34" tall X 32" wide X 20" deep

An antique small tansu of kiri wood from the Taisho period. Sliding doors behind which books and small objects were stored. Lower drawers were used to store documents, photos, ephemera, receipts, etc.

Original bronze hardware. The sliding door handles feature a quarter moon casting light on a garden of flowers and the lock plates have a Kamon *family crest" design of a Botan (Peony) blossom with its leaves encircling the flower.

Date: Taisho period (1912-1926)

Dime...

An antique Japanese small Ko Tansu for personal storage made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. The tansu has one large drawer and four medium drawers. The right hand lower corner has a hinged door behind which are two drawers with secret compartments behind each drawer. Iron hardware includes semi-round lock plates, drawer pulls, and corner bracing.

Date: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 29 1/2" Wide x 23 3/8" High x 14 1/4" Deep

An antique Meiji Period two sectional tansu made from kiri wood with iron hardware. The top section has two large drawers. The bottom section has two medium size drawers and on the right side a door with lock. Behind the door are two smaller drawers. And below one small drawer.

It originates from the Yamagata tansu district of Japan in the Tohoku northern Japan region.

Date: Meiji (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 38"tall X 48"long X 18"deep

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

An antique Japanese Kannon Biraki Tansu (wedding kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. The top section has two doors with a special lock from the inside that secures the doors. When open the doors reveal one large drawer and two smaller drawers on the right hand corner. The lower drawer has a secret compartment for documents. The bottom section has two large drawers. Both drawers have opposing hand holds cut into the interior sides for easy carrying. The hardware is made of blackened iron...