A unusual example of an antique Japanese three section Tansu chest called Ishodansu made of Toneriko (Japanese Ash) and Katsura woods. Original bronze hardware including the Warabite handles and the kissing duck handle backplates. This one-of-a-kind Tansu highlights Yosegi (Marquetry) incorporated into the beautiful Japanese Ash burl. Upper section has two horizontal rolling siding doors hiding a split level display shelf with three side by side drawers below...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Large upper drawer with two hinged doors that hides and secures 6 small drawers where valuables were kept. Side handles were used for carrying this tansu from place to place.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 15" Wide by 20 1/2" High by 12 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Bo Tansu (locking bar chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Warabite style handles. Three full width drawers and bottom partial width drawer with hinged security door hiding 3 small drawers. Underneath bottom small drawer lies a secret area where important flat documents or valuables were hidden from plain sight...

An antique Japanese Nihonmatsu Kasane Tansu (stacking 2 section chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware featuring Warabite style handles and hints of aged red lacquer. Very spacious storage with a hinged door that secures 3 small drawers. Constructed using Japanese joinery techniques and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 48 1/2" Wide by 48" High by 18 1/4" Deep

An antique Getabako Tansu (shoe cabinet) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Removable shelf. Single section chest that would make a wonderful buffet or shoe storage cabinet. Top has been reinforced.

Age: Meiji period (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 53 1/8" Wide by 27 1/2" High by 15 3/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Choba Kuruma Tansu (wheeled merchant chest) made fo Keyaki (Zelkova), Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Drawers were made using Kakute handles. Lock bar added additional security for the 2 full width center drawers. Sliding doors open to a spacious storage area and the hinged door secure 2 small drawers behind. Side slats add strength and support...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles and the full moon lock plates. Handle back plates feature a stylized Shimizu clan family crest. 4 drawers for spacious kimono storage and a hinged door behind which are 2 small drawers where valuable fashion accessories were stored...

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu made of Momiji (Maple) and Katsura woods. 4 sliding doors along the top hid a storage area where tea service acessories were kept. 2 sliding etched glass doors covered a display area where Japanese seasonal and holiday objects were showcased while the etching hid a small drawer and a storage space that the previous owner wanted to have left hidden. 2 more sliding doors, a hinged door and 2 side by side drawers round out this tansu...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant safe-keep box) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood with original hand forged iron hardware. Acquired a beautiful 200+ year old age patina. Hinged door secures 3 drawers behind which lies a secret box located behind the side by side drawers above.

Unusual side footing purposely made to provide air flow under the box...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. 2 sliding doors with vertical slats opens to a shelf with 3 small drawers. 3 drawers below the doors for additional storage. All original hand forged iron hardware. Urushi lacquer frame and front outline with natural wood drawers and door panels. Originally used as a storage chest for books and small items...

An antique Japanese single section low Tansu chest made of Hinoki :(Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Two sliding doors open to a large storage area.

Dimensions: 35" Wide by 22 1/2" High by 15 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) from the Nihon Matsu region of Japan made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Lock plates have double pine tree design to symbolize longevity and good luck. 6 drawers of various sizes for organizing and storage. A pair of sliding doors behind which a split level shelf kept merchant records and books...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant small chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles. 8 drawers of varying sizes used to store merchant wares for sale. Unusual wooden lip surrounding the top where seller showcased each item for sale to the buyer. Custom made tansu specific to the seller needs. Constructed using hardened wooden nails and Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimen...

An antique Japanese Honbako (book storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hardware with bronze locks added at a later date for security of drawers. 2 hinged doors open with the left door secured by a clasp style lock situated at the center of the shelf. Constructed using hardened wood nails and Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Era (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 26" Wide by 19 3/4" High by 12 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the full moon lock plates and the Kakute style handles. The backplates of the handles feature the auspicious Sho Chiku Bai (Pine, Bamboo, Plum Blossom) motif. Side carrying handles to each section with rare connecting pins to secure both sections together. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Age: M...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Locking bar secures 3 drawers behind it and the center design is the family crest of the family who commissioned this chest to be made. One large full width drawer, a small drawer and a hinged door that secures three drawers behind it complete this beautiful tansu.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensi...

An antique Japanese single section Kimono Tansu (chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Front corner reinforcements on all drawer fronts with two side handles on each side for carrying this tansu from room to room. Constructed using thick straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails.

Age: Early Meiji Era (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 36 1/2" Wide by 37 3/8" High by 17 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite stye handles. 5 exterior drawers for storage and organizing with 2 sliding doors behind which store records and books were kept. Hinged door secures 2 small drawers where valuables were hidden away. Horizontal side slats provide strength and a visual design element complimenting the sliding door slats. Through mortise a...

An antique Japanese Kotansu chest for personal storage use made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia). All bronze hardware with 6 drawers and a pair of sliding doors hiding a storage area with a split level shelf. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery with hardened wooden nails. Perfect as a side chest or desktop organizer.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho Period (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" Wide by 19 3/8" High by 11 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and wiped Urushi lacquer finish. A top full width drawer with two sets of sliding doors. The upper set has a spacious area where the merchant stored his business books and records. The lower set has two small drawers behind the doors and another area for more storage. Perfect for a side chest or a large nightstand.

Age: Edo Period (1800-18...

An antique Japanese small Choba Tansu chest made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original bronze hardware. Sliding doors where merchant stored business records and books 4 drawers below where valuables money and writing supplies were kept. Straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction. Merchant store name written at the base that ha worn over time.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)

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

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (Merchant Chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and the decorative front drawer corners. Double side by side drawers above with sliding doors and three drawers below made this a functional chest for a merchant to store his business books and records as well as store valuables. Double through mortise and tenon joinery construction with supporting side and rare back h...

An antique Japanese chest called Tohoku Kasane Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Good luck symbols on the handle backplates showing the Sho Chiku Bai motif (longevity, tenacity and beauty). Four large drawers for spacious kimono storage and a hinged door behind which are two small drawers where valuables were hidden away.

Age: Early Meiji period (1870-1880)

Dimensions: 38 1/4" Wide by 40 1/8" High...

An antique Japanese display chest known as a Cha Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki. Used in Japan as an all purpose cabinet used to store tea serving accessories for guests as well as serving as a display chest where seasonal or special occasion accents can be shown for all to enjoy. Original bronze hardware. Two large sliding doors hide a large spacious storage area and 5 drawers are used for organizing and additional space. Beautiful curved top corners with dovetail joinery work. Constructe...

An antique Japanese Sakata Kotansu (Japanese personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. 5 Drawers with 3 drawers secured by a locking bar. Hinged door behind which lie 3 small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using thick wood with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails. A beautiful elegant chest that is perfect for a night stand or a side table. Comes with keys.

Age: Edo ...

An antique Japanese 3 section kimono chest called Isho Biraki Tansu made entirely of Kiri (Paulwonia) wood. All original hardware and natural patina finish. Top section has two sliding doors behind which lies three small drawers and a split level shelf. The drawers and shelf front have a Kuwanoki (Mulberry) wood trim. The center section features 2 large hinged doors which house 4 kimono trays with Kura on the center shelf. The bottom section has 3 large drawers for additional storage. Const...

A Japanese furniture antique tansu chest in 3 sections made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hardware. Top section features 2 sliding doors behind which is a split level shelf and a small drawer in addition to curved top corners. The center and bottom sections each have 3 drawers for spacious storage. The backs of each section has a unique floating panel design to prevent the wood from splitting.

This chest would make a functional dresser for daily ...

An antique low single drawer storage Kotansu (personal chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand forged heavy gauge iron hardware. Constructed using thick wood, straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails. Originally used to store Kimono or personal effects, it would work well in a contemporary home as a base storage unit on a large table or credenza .

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 37 3/4" Wide by 10 3/8" High by 18 3/4" Deep

A rare antique Sakata Hangai (captain's business transactions chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. It feature a top drawer and a lift out front security door with lock and key. Behind the door are 5 drawers of varying sizes. In particular is the center bottom drawer that purposely exterior lacquered since it received the most use. This drawer has two covers and origin...

An extremely rare Sado Island Funa Tansu made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova), old growth Keyaki, and old growth Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged handmade iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. The top drawer opens to a 4 compartment design with 2 covers. It was exterior lacquered for a smooth opening. The bottom right side hinged door opens to a small upper drawer and a bottom false drawer front that hides a wooden box for valuables. The lef...

A rare antique Sado Island Funa Tansu (captain's chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original Urushi lacquer and hand forged hand made iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Featuring various good luck motifs including the treasure bag, the radish, the pine tree, the bamboo, the plum blossom and the Chrysanthemum. The front has a top drawer, a hinged door and a secret sliding door. Behind the sliding door are two drawers, each with a secret box behi...

An antique Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Three drawers with a pair of hinged doors that open to a spacious interior with two side by side drawers. This area was used to store the merchant records and books while all the drawers were used to secure valuables and provide easy access to merchant tools and accessories.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 29 3/4" Wide by 29 3/4" High by 14 3/4" Deep

An antique Chobako (merchant storage box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Hinged door when opened reveals 6 drawers of varying sizes. In particular is one small drawer with ink stains that stored the inkstone. This chest was an essential merchant accessory used to keep in one place all of the tools and instruments needed to run a successful store.

Age: Edo Period (19th century)

Dimensions...

An antique Japanese Tohoku Kasane (chest on chest) Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the nickel rim Butterfy motif lock plates. Four large drawers used for kimono storage and two small drawers used to store kimono fashion accessories. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 36" Wide by 40 5/8" High by 16 3/...

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,...

An antique Japanese Gifu Choba Tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Drawers of varying sizes or organizing and storage. Sliding doors hide a compartment where merchant books and records were stored. Constructed using through mortise and tenon joinery and hardened wood nails. Side horizontal ribs add strength, support and visual permanence to the chest.

Age: Meiji period: (1880-1890)