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...

Japanese antique 2-section butsudan, a Buddhist shrine for use in the home. The front exterior of the shrine is made with beautiful red finish hardwood with black lacquer sides, folding silk meshed interior doors with gilt lacquer panels of flying cranes, a beautiful miniature temple scene inside where the image of a deity and offerings are to be placed. A carved gilt panel with dragons hangs overhead...

Beautiful Japanese kusuri medical dansu made of kiri wood (paulownia) and sugi side frames (Japanese cypress or cryptomeria). With original finish and hardware. Lacquer with orange, dark reddish, brown and mahogany tones. Usually with 100 small drawers and two large drawers on the bottom. Metal hardware on each drawer and side handles. Age: Edo Period. Size: 37.25" height x 26.25" length x 8" depth

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 antique Japanese single-section tansu from Sado Island, its front frame entirely covered by iron work. It has two large main drawers with large rectangular lockplates, the top incised with a crane and the bottom with the image of two turtles, referencing the old saying Tsuru Sen-nen, Kame Man-nen (as the crane lives one thousand years, the tortoise ten thousand years) to represent longevity...

This rare and exceptional Japanese Mirror Chest of Japanese Ash and Elm with Hand Mirror of fine Persimmon and Gorgeous Brass Metalwork is from the collection of a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The brass hinges are adorned with Chrysanthemums, the Japanese symbol of health, happiness and well-being. Truly a wonderful and rare piece. 14.25h x 9.75w x 9d inches, 36h x 25w x 23d cm. Excellent Condition.

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

Japanese Keyaki (zelkova) choba tansu (merchant chest) with complete original lacquer finish. Quartered sawn keyaki hardwood relieving the distinctive woodgrain seen on all sides. Solid Keyaki hardwood used in every part of construction. Adorned in heavy iron hardware and original locking bar. Excellent original condition. Working keys are included. This is a top example of a Edo period Japanese Choba Tansu...

New Arrival

Antique Japanese two section mizuya (kitchen tansu), made with Hinoki (cypress) frame and Sugi (cryptomeria) sides with slats. The front features Persimmon wood panels with dramatic natural grain on its drawers. Other charming detailing includes mesh sliding doors with wood panels carved in floral motifs and decorative handles. Very attractive in design and functional for storage. Dates from the Meiji period c1900. Size:37" L x 16.25" W x 64.75" H

Antique Japanese tansu, made with beautiful all keyaki (elm) wood on the front including sliding panels and drawers of dramatic burl, iron hardware including round lock plates on drawers and warabite shaped drawer pulls, the top portion of the chest has a compartment covered by sliding panels, the lower portion of the chest has three drawers, Meiji Period. Size: 33 3/4" high x 34 1/2" wide x 19" deep.

Small Japanese antique tansu for personal use, made all of kiri (paulownia) wood, 1 larger drawer along the top, 3 medium sized drawers down the left side, 3 smaller drawers of varying sizes down the right side, lots iron hardware including warabite shaped drawer pulls, lock plates on every drawer except the one smallest drawer, Meiji Period (1868-1912) Size: 17 1/2" high x 23 3/4" wide x 12 3/4" deep.

Antique Japanese 2 section isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Nihonmatsu area. Made with keyaki (elm) wood with dramatic grain and original deep reddish orange translucent lacquer finish. The chest is made up of four large drawers and a safe box in the lower right hand side which has two small drawers behind a locking safe door (with key). Lovely iron hardware includes warabite shaped drawer pulls, large lock plates with pine motif and elaborate cross bracing on the the safe door...

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.

This striking black and gold Japanese antique shop sign is from a Meiji Era (1868 - 1912) headquarters for a drug store chain. It dramatically declares that this shop carries the best elixirs for vitality, the best remedies for high blood pressure, and the most expedient cures for fever. 17.5 x 41 inches (44.5 x 104 cm). Excellent Condition.

Beautiful Japanese antique small tansu with locking bar (bo), 3 drawers behind locking bar, locking bar has key and elaborate hardware with kiri mon, bottom drawer has large metal raised lock plate with crane, safe box in lower right hand corner with more metal hardware, two small interior safe drawers, front of keyaki (elm) wood, original finish, Meiji Period. Size: 24 3/4" high x 23 1/4" wide x 13" deep.

Antique Japanese bench elaborately carved with dragons, fitted with custom cushion of red silk with dragon pattern, flip top seat (with matching throw cushions inside), back carved with two large dragons and three reserves with dragons and a phoenix in the center, arms in the shape of dragons, beautifully carved, Meiji Period. Size: 53 1/2" high x 69" long x 26" deep.

A small metel bound six drawer black lacquered cabinet finely painted in gold lacquer . Three drawers are decorated with a branch of flowering prunus blossom and the large drawer and door are each painted with a single duck amongst reeds and iris. Condition: very good - there is some age wear to the decoraration on the top, sides and back but the gold lacquer painting on the front is in excellent condition...

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