Antique Japanese zeni bako, or money box, made from keyaki (zelkova) wood with a very defined, textural woodgrain. It has a slot in its top for deposting money and a single front drawer with decorative lockplate. From the Fukushima region. Size: 6" height, 7.25" width, 12.5" length

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...

Antique Japanese cha tansu (tea display cabinet), fully carved all from boxwood, with motifs of various flowers such as peony and chrysanthemum, cranes, phoenixes, sparrows, and other small birds with clouds, carved branch "pillar" with cascades cherry blossoms, a highly ornate export furniture piece.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 37" L x 14.5" W x 57.25" H

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made of keyaki (elm) wood with beautiful original finish and patina. The chest has two sets of sliding door panels and a total of 8 exterior drawers. On the right side is a vertical compartment with two small shelves most likely originally for ledger books. This is covered by a drop in panel. On the lower right is a small safe door with two visible interior drawers and one secret drawer...

Antique Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area, made with all Keyaki (elm) wood front with dramatic grain and translucent lacquer finish, elaborate thick iron hardware including moko shaped drawer pulls and ornate raised scrolling vine lock plates with floral mon, large drawer on top, three shorter drawers, two small drawers and a safebox on its right side, which also has ornate iron lotus mon and opens with a ring pull...

Japanese kura tansu (warehouse storage chest), made entirely of keyaki (elm) wood with very dramatic grain, thick keyaki side and back bracing, sliding panels with horizontal keyaki slats, right side has interior vertical row of 2 drawers and a hinged safe door which opens to yet another drawer, left side has interior shelf, Edo Period (c1850) Size: 23 1/4" high x 35 3/4" wide x 19" deep.

A warm grained Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) two piece Yonezawa Isho Tansu (clothing chest from Yonezawa) finely constructed of pine (matsu) and highly desirable paulownia (kiri). 42 x 34 x 16 inches (107 x 86 x 41 cm). Very Good Condition. This chest is from Shonai, a region of Yonezawa that makes chests that are highly prized for their combination of understated Japanese design with a sense of tradition.

Rare and beautiful Japanese antique isho tansu from the area of Sado Island, made all of kiri (paulownia) wood with original deep reddish brown lacquer finish and nice patina. Extensive iron hardware covers most of the front of this piece with large rectangular lock plates and elaborate cut out and incised designs throughout. The top 2 drawers has hardware depicting figures of Japanese folk lore and pine trees. The bottom two drawers have a large crane and turtle...

Japanese antique isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area, made with keyaki wood on drawer fronts, highly raised and incised black iron hardware including elaborate lock plates in the form of large peony blossoms and scrolling leaves. Moko shaped Iron drawer pulls incised with tiny flowers, 4 large drawers, 2 small exterior drawers. A safe box on the right side has beautifully ornate hardware in a peony motif...

Exceptional 19th Century Kyodai (Japanese Mirror Chest) beautifully constructed of very fine elm root. Japanese artisans ceased use of this expensive wood many years ago. Japanese antique mirror boxes like these are honestly undervalued and underpriced. They are the last bargains in the Japanese antique world, relative to their true worth and rare beauty. We strongly suggest buying one now, as we really don't expect this to be the case for too much longer...

New Shipment

Unusual Japanese two-section tansu, with gorgeous Keyaki (elm) burl front, and Sugi (cedar) sides, with original lacquer finish. The design is highly unusual with three sets of sliding doors, one with glass panels, various size drawers and a lift-away panel with a charming natural burl handle. Meiji age (1868-1912)

Size: 40.5" L x 19.5" W x 61.5" H

Dramatic antique Japanese 2-section mizuya tansu (kitchen chest), made of beautifully grained keyaki (elm) wood, top section has sliding panels that open to one large compartment with one shelf, an opening door on the upper right has a very unusual wooden handle and also opens to a compartment with one self, below that are three small drawers of different sizes, along the middle of the piece are 4 larger drawers with iron warabite shaped drawer pulls, the bottom section is one large compar...

Japanese kaidan tansu, or step tansu with glowing hardwood finish, Hinoki (cypress) frame and Sugi wood steps. The bottom two steps have Keyaki (elm) front drawers with warabite iron handles. A Sugi wood cabinet door with vertical slats opens from the largest area with roomy storage. Unusual Size, very usable. Size: 45.25" height, 31.5" length, 23.25" depth

An especially fine Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Gilded and Red and Black Lacquered Butsudan (Japanese Buddhist Altar) with an endless variety of luxuriously designed details, hidden drawers within secret compartments behind hidden panels, marvelously rendered images and elaborately carved sculpture. All other butsudan pale in comparison with this rare, museum quality showcase piece. This piece would have taken the maker close to 2 years to complete. 65 x 44 x 27 inches (166 x 112 x 69 cm)...

Antique Japanese rare two-section isho tansu (clothing chest) with a very interesting burl wood front, and lacquered sides. Each of its very large drawers has its own custom incised lockplate with imagery of cherry blossoms, bamboo, cranes, and other auspicious elements. Meiji period (1868-1912) Size: 51.25" height, 35.75" width, 16.75" depth

Large rare antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), from the Mikuni area of Japan, made of heavy solid keyaki (elm) wood throughout, wooden bracing on sides and back, large compartment with sliding panels has 4 smaller interior drawers, safe box has 2 small interior drawers, beautiful heavy iron work, has 3 keys, Edo Period. Size: 35 1/2" high x 47 1/2" wide x 19 1/4" deep.

Antique Japanese chose tansu also known as a merchant chest. Made with solid kiri (paulownia) wood. Every drawer has decorative locks and iron hirute shaped handles. Two sliding opens open to reveal a roomy storage compartment. Bottom safe box has three small doors within. Meiji period (1868-1912) Size: 31" H x 31" W x 16" D

Beautiful Japanese kannon biraki tansu, made from kiri wood, with heavy iron hardware and hirute handles. The top section has two hinged doors with a large central lock with floral designs, opening to reveal several drawers. Meiji period 1867-1912) Size: 40.75" height, 37.75" length, 16.5" depth