An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 18 1/2" H x 23 3/4" W x 11 3/4" D

Antique Japanese zenibako also know as a money safe box. Original deep lacquer finish, hinged lid with Iron handle and money slot beside it. Money was dropped inside and is retrieved by opening the drawer directly below it. Two other drawers free of locks may be used for storage as well. Solid Keyaki (hardwood) with stunning wood grain. Eco Period (circa 1820's) Size: 8.5" H x 12.5" L x 8.5" W

Beautiful Japanese antique 2-section storage tansu made with all keyaki (elm) wood on the front, the top portion of the top section has a shrine compartment covered by 4 small glass sliding panels. The interior of the shrine compartment has two small compartments with double doors for displaying flat images with slatted drop in panels covering small compartments on either side...

Japanese two-section Keyaki Nihonmatsu tansu with a black lacquered frame, a corner lockbox with iron plating and hinged door, four long drawers with iron hardware, warabite handles and iron locks at their center with a the image of a tsuru (crane) flying over a kame (turtle). The tsuru and kame are sacred creatures in Asian culture, each a symbol for longevity, and are said to live one thousand and ten thousand years respectively...

Unusual Japanese Kiri (paulownia) front tansu, with seven drawers for storage and organization. All original finish hardwood.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 18.5" L x 22.5" W x 33.75" H

Antique Japanese kiri (paulownia) choba tansu, or merchant's chest with a pair of sliding door panels and interior shelving. Six drawers of varying size all open with squared "kakute" handles and have round iron locks. A great piece with original finish. Size: 32.5" height, 31.25" width, 16.25" depth

Japanese antique keyaki choba tansu from Fukushima prefecture Japan. Use as an accountant's chest. Beautiful lacquered elmwood burl with a translucent re-finish. Square locks an iron handles in excellent condition. Meiji Period, (1868-1912), circa 1880's. Size: 16" deep x 34.5" wide x 35" high

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 Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware. The lock plates feature the lucky Sho Chiku Bai (Pine Bamboo Plum blossom) motif with two stylized Chrysanthemum knobs. The handles are in the Warabite style with handle stoppers that are butterflies above and plum blossoms below...

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

Rare and beautiful Japanese gyosho bako (merchant's box carried on back) with three sections. It is made of a kiri (paulownia) wood with original dark finish, the front of the box has ornate bronze hardware in the shape of chrysanthemum petals, locks and extensive back bracing all made out of iron. It features a top drawer with a kakute handle and two hinged doors opening to five smaller drawers with ring shaped pulls...

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...

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

Gorgeous antique Japanese Kuruma tansu (wheeled chest), made of keyaki (elm) wood with all original finish and original heavy iron hardware, from the Etchu Area of Japan (ref. "Wadansu-shusei" by Kodansha), Edo Period c. 1830's. Size: 48 1/2" high x 56 1/2" wide x 29" deep. Exhibited: "Moving Cabinetry: Tansu from The Zentner Collection", Palo Alto Art Center, 2005.

An antique Japanese 2 Section Kamidana Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The top section was used as a Shinto shrine with a multi-level platform and original paper charms still attached to the interior walls. Built into the platform are sliding doors where Shinto religious artifacts were stored.

The bottom section has three large drawers, each with spacious storage...

Japanese Pine store Display shelf with one(1) drawer, Ca. Meiji, Ca. 1880, 15 1/2" high, 24" wide, 7" deep, the drawer has brass handle, and cut out shaped side panels. The condition is good.

A very rare antique Japanese Choba Biraki Safe Tansu (merchant safety chest with hinged doors) made of old growth Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the main drawer lock plate of Pine trees with matching corners of monkeys reaching for peaches, the hexagonal hinged door lock representing the owner's family crest and Furui (old) Kakute handles. Hinged doors open to 7 drawers of varying sizes...

Japanese single section isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Iwayado area. It is made with keyaki (elm) wood on the front and has a beautiful all original translucent lacquer finish. This chest consists of four drawers of different sizes. Elaborate iron hardware includes a very large phoenix shaped lock plate on the top drawer and two peony shaped lock plates on two of the other drawers. Drawer pulls are warabite shaped...