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...

Japanese antique 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 unusual mon of a pair of sumo fans, large drawer on top, three drawers of the same width but that get gradually deeper as they go down, two smaller drawers and a safebox on the right side, safebox also has ornate iron work ...

An antique Japanese two section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress), Kakinoki (Persimmon) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. It originated from the Suruga region of Japan (now Shizuoka prefecture).

Unique configuration of sliding doors, drawers and hidden storage compartment makes this tansu a versatile and beautiful work of art...

A beautiful tall 3 section Mikuni Kimono Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with Hikute handles and natural Urushi lacquer finish. Upper section has 2 sliding doors with 3 side by side drawers below. The center section has 3 full width drawers and the bottom section has 1 full width drawer, a partial width drawer and a hinged security door protecting 2 small drawers...

Antique Japanese kuruma tansu (wheeled chest), made all solid quartered sawn keyaki (zelkova) hardwood with beautiful and dramatic natural grain. The upper and lower portions of the chest have open compartments which close with sliding panels. Each panel is reinforced with either vertical or horizontal wooden slats. A heavy hand forged iron plate sits in place along with hand forged iron locks and hardware with a key to keep the door panels from sliding...

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...

This is a finely hand carved, Mid-19th Century, Mixed Materials Netsuke depicting an Entertainer who is kneeling while in the middle of a theatrical performance. He is wearing an Okame mask with red-painted lips. He is also sporting a pouch that is being held around his waist by a manju netsuke. Excellent details on both the actors expression's and clothing. Wonderful, rich patina...

Height: 3.9 cm (1.5 in)
Width: 2.3 cm (0.9 in)
Depth: 3.7 cm (1.4 in)

Quality Japanese netsuke of a seated monkey eating a peach and grasping another in his feet; natural material; excellent hair work and stained scrimmed clothing; signed on a polished reserve, Masanao; good condition

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 Kansai Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Two sets of sliding doors hide spacious areas where the merchant kept his business books and records. Four drawers were used to keep valuables and merchant tools and accessories. Behind the bottom sliding doors to the right are three drawers where hidden valuables were stored...

An antique Japanese Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of HInoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkkova) woods. All original hand forged iron handles including the Mokko style handles. Upper section has 2 sliding doors with iron wire mesh screen that was used similar to the western pie safe with 4 drawers below. The lower section has 2 sliding doors behind which is a removable shelf with 2 side by side drawers below. Side supports added strength and visual design to the chest...

Antique Japanese small tansu chest made for personal use, made all of kiri (Japanese cypress) wood with nice patina and especially nice joinery. This tansu has beautiful copper hardware all over the front including corner bracing, lock plates and moko shaped drawer pulls...

An antique Japanese merchant box made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and wiped Urushi lacquer finish. Hinged door opens to four storage drawers. Top handle used for carrying this box from client to client. Originally used

Age: Edo Era (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 9 1/2" Wide by 10 1/2" High by 11 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking 2 section chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. Full moon lock plates with quarter and semi-circular front drawer corner plates that accentuates the theme. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Each section has side carrying handles. Upper section has side locking pins to secure the sections in place.

Age: Early Meiji...

Antique Japanese fune tansu (ship safe box), made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) and sugi (cryptomeria) woods with kiri (paulownia) wood on inside of drawers, heavy iron hardware including cross bracing on both the front and back, heavy iron hinges on door, interior has 6 drawers of different sizes two of which have iron lock plates, warabite shaped drawer pulls and handle on top, Edo Period (late 18th/early 19th century). Size: 16 1/2" high x 16" wide x 17" deep.

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. Alternatively, the horizontal wooden bar securing a rope in conjunction with the two rope h...

An antique Japanese single section Sendai Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles. The lock plates feature an incised flying crane and a pine tree, both representing longevity and good luck. The corners on the drawer fronts have the raised turnip (Kabu) design and the handle back plates have incised Chrysanthemums. This is a rare example of quality metal smithing during the Edo era.

Age: Edo Period (18...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of a rare Keyaki root burl (Zelkova Tamo), Kirinoki (Paulownia), and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hardware including Gumbai drawer pulls and sliding door handles featuring a gold inlay flying dragon amongst the sea and clouds. Multiple merchant drawers are hidden behind the sliding doors with an open space storage area where merchant books and records were stored.

The sliding doors ingeniously hide a secret set of drawe...

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...

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...

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), keyaki (elm) wood front, sugi (cryptomeria) wood frame, 2 drawers on top, 6 drawers of various sizes on bottom portion, middle portion has sliding panels with horizontal slats of keyaki wood with sugi wood panels, behind sliding panel on right hand side are two shelves and two small interior drawers with keyaki wood fronts and iron hardware, behind the sliding panel on the left side is one interior shelf, extensive iron hardware on front ...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Upper carrying handle and hinged door that hides 4 drawers of varying sizes used by a merchant to store writing paper, receipts, money and calligraphy brushes.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 10" Wide by 12 1/4" High by 14 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Byosho Bako (peddler's chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware. Two loop rings where a carrying rope was once attached allowing the merchant to carry this chest on his back. The hinged door opens to 5 drawers used for the storage of wares for sale. A few small ink stains on the upper surface attests to the merchant using the top as a writing surface when writing sales.

Meiji Period (1870-1890)

Dimensions: 12 1/2" Wide b...

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) from the Tohoku area, made of with Kiri (Paulownia) wood front and Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood frame. Five exterior drawers including an unusual wide and shallow drawer just beneath a compartment with sliding panels. The sliding panels have horizontal slats and frame made of Kurinoki (Chestnut wood). A small safe box on the right-hand side of the tansu has a hinged door which opens to reveal two small drawers on the inside. Lovely natural finish.

An antique Japanese Suzuribako (calligraphy writing box) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles on the lid and drawer front.

This box originally functioned as an essential instrument for storing writing paper, brushes, ink and the inkstone. Whether it was a merchant writing a customer receipt or a professional calligrapher writing a personal letter for a farmer, this box was always ready for duty.

Antique Japanese Gyosho Bako, Edo Period, mid 19th century. It has two moving locks on the exterior. The interior has one large drawer and seven smaller drawers. It measures 13" wide 18" deep 31.5" tall.

Beautiful and rare large Japanese futon tansu, two sections, all keyaki front with dramatic grain, top section has 4 sliding panels which open to one large compartment, bottom section has 9 drawers of various sizes, a pair of sliding panels with horizontal slats covers a compartment with two small drawers, iron hardware including hirute shaped drawer pulls, the large sliding panels have bronze pulls with a chrysanthemum motif, beautiful deep brown original lacquer finish, Meiji Period. ...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia)wood. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Lock plates which symbolize the full moon and decorative corners to each of the drawer fronts. Side carrying handles. Hardened wooden nail construction. Consisting of 5 drawers for organizing and spacious storage.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 23 1/4" Wide by 23 3/4" High by 12" Deep

Japanese antique single section isho tansu (storage chest for clothing), made with all keyaki (elm) wood on drawer fronts, the sides and top are sugi (cryptomeria) wood and lacquered a deep reddish brown, nice iron hardware with warabite shaped drawer pulls, seven drawers of various sizes, Meiji Period. Size: 33 1/4" high x 35 1/2" wide x 17 1/2" deep.

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...

Antique Japanese choba tansu made of keyaki (elm) wood. The top portion has two small drawers. The middle portion has a compartment opened by sliding panels with horizontal slats. The slats are made of quarter sawn keyaki wood which dramatically accents the striped quality of the wood grain. Below this is a single large drawer. The hardware is made of iron and includes round lock plates.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 31" high x 24" wide x 14 3/4" deep.

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), kiri (paulownia) wood with beautiful iron hardware, large cut out iron lock plates, square drawer pulls, safe box in lower right corner with heavy iron work on door ( 1 key), interior of safe has 3 small kiri drawers, (total of 9 drawers of different sizes on whole piece), Edo Period (c1850). Size: 30 1/2" high x 24" wide x 12 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese long table made out of a cashier's gate. Turned on it's side, this gate would have defined the area around the cashier's work space in a store. Now made into an attractive and useful piece of modern furniture. The slats of the gate can be seen on the sides as well as through the glass top which was added later. With six compartments for storage or display. Made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood and with it's original patina.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Japanese Kiri wood tansu from the late Edo age (circa 1850's). Simple yet elegant four even drawers with iron hardware at all corners. Each Drawer has round iron locking mechanism. Fantastic Piece Dimensions: 27 1/2" High X 26" Long X 14" Deep

Beautiful rare Japanese kusuri medical tansu, made of keyaki wood (zelkova) front, top and sides. Sugi wood interior. Original finish and hardware, lacquer with orange, dark reddish, brown and mahogany tones. Five rows of drawers of varying sizes, which includes a larger drawer with a beautiful lock at the bottom. Iron hardware on each drawer and side handles. Age: Edo Period (c1850). Size height 34.5" x width 31" x depth 12" Size: 29.5" Height and 34.5" Height including base x 31" length x...

An antique Japanese Choba (merchant) Tansu made of solid keyaki (zalkova) wood with Burl keyaki sliding doors. The upper portion of the Tansu has a sliding door with interior shelf. The lower portion has 5 drawers with iron hardware locks. Matsumoto is a special city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

Date: Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 33" tall X 32.5" wide X 15.5" deep