Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Furniture (890)

An antique Japanese low one section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Sakuranoki (Cherry) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Two sliding doors behind which is a spacious storage area with a full width split level shelf. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery...

A rare antique Japanese large Kannon Biraki Tansu made entirely of thick Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails, this specially commissioned tansu was custom designed and made for a bride's dowry. Its purpose was for storing the bride's wedding kimono and accoutrements after the ceremony ...

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Multiple drawers of 8 exposed and 4 hidden behind the lower sliding doors. The upper sliding doors hides a spacious storage area where the merchant kept his store records and books. All original hand forged iron hardware with construction using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails. Natural darkening surrounding the metalwork where the original patina had built-up...

A rare antique Japanese Choba Kotansu (merchant small chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Removable hinge doors behind which hides a removable horizontal bar that securely latches the left door in place. Spacious storage behind the doors where the merchant kept his store books and records. Two upper drawers were used to keep money and valuables. Beautiful original calligraphy on the sides and back of the tansu...

An antique Japanese single section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. 2 sliding doors designed with individually cut vertical slats (as opposed to a solid board carved to look like slats). Side horizontal ribs add visual strength and structural support to the chest...

An antique Japanese Mikuni Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Aka Matsu (Red Pine), Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and full moon lock plates). Through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery and side ribs for strength and support. Lift-up side handles allow through a wood pole letting two persons carry the tansu from store to store...

An antique Japanese Gyosho Bako (peddler's box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Original Urushi lacquer finish and bronze hand made hardware. Carrying handles through which a pole would be inserted with outer Japanese writing advertising the peddler. Straight Japanese dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction. Four drawers of increasing heights from top to bottom.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 6" Wide by 13" High by 11" Deep

An antique Japanese Kimono tansu made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. Original natural Urushi lacquer finish in a 6 drawer configuration. Hand forged iron hardware with deep Warabite handles and full moon lock plates. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails...

An antique Japanese Urushi lacquer Kimono tansu made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. 6 drawer configuration with bottom two drawers used for Kimono fashion accessory storage. Drawer lock plates feature Paulownia design family crest (Mon). Straight dovetail joinery with hardened wood nail construction...

An antique Japanese Gifu Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest from the Gifu region of Japan) made of Hinoki (Cypress), Burled Keyaki (Zelkova), Kaki (Persimmon) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hardware including the full moon designed drawer pulls and sliding door handles...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hardware including bronze sliding door handles and hand forged iron drawer pulls...

An antique Japanese merchant money storage box made entirely of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. Single drawer with hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handle. Used by a merchant to keep coins, IOU's, and yen currency for daily business use. Original iron corner reinforcements adds strength and durability to this box.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 13 1/2" Wide by 7 3/8" High by 15 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu similar to the western sideboard cabinet or chest made of Momiji (Maple) for the drawer fronts and frame and Keyaki (Zelkova) panels for the sliding doors. with the interior made of Japanese Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. Original hand made iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Floating panels for the front, sides and top to prevent the wood from cracks from expansion and shrinkage. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery for strength a...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Aka Matsu (Red Pine) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original wiped Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware. 3 drawers with 2 sliding doors that hide a spacious storage area behind. Horizontal ribs on the doors and side of the tansu for strength and visual design. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery showing the fine craftsmanship used in making this piece.

Age: Meiji Era (...

An antique Japanese rare Kannon Biraki tansu (bridal chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original natural Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the possible Mikumo family crest on the center locks. Double hinged doors behind which the upper section has 3 full width drawers and the bottom section has numerous smaller drawers with a lift out door hiding two additional drawers. An ingenious trick locking mechanism locks those two drawers from opening unless on...

An antique Japanese Mingei folding ladder made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Used by a landscaper or gardener for pruning Bonsai trees, large shrubs, or fruit trees. All through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery for strength and durability. Folds flat for easy storage. Timeless architectural design reminiscent of Kyomizu Temple in Kyoto.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho Era (1910-1920)

Dimensions (Opened): 21 1/2" Wide by 34 5/8" High by 24 1/2" Deep

A rare antique Japanese Omikuji Tansu (temple fortune telling chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Original Urushi lacquer over a Bengara stain. Hand made and hand forged iron hardware. Japanese straight dovetail joinery with hardened wood nail construction.

Used in a Shinto Shrine or Buddhist Temple to store paper fortunes for visitors and worshippers. With 100 total drawers, it would be the perfect chest for organizing photos, trading cards, postcards, or any collection of ephemera...

An antique Japanese Niigata Kasane (chest on chest) Tansu made of all Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand forged iron hardware with a hand applied red lacquer finish. Kakute stye handles. Four large drawers with a small hinged door that hides 2 small drawers. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. Each section has two sets of carrying handles for ease of transport and placement.

Its large size would accommodate a nice collection of tex...