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...

An Extremely Rare Reverse Glass Ukiyo-e Beauty Painting: Japan, 18th –early 19th C. with Original lacquered wood frame The artist name singned with a square red seal on lower right. Offered Here is an extremely rare reverse painting of a whole figure of standing beauty painted on reverse glass, This type of Japanese Ukiyo-e painting of a beauty is rarely existed in markets now...

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...

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. ...

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 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

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...

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.

Based on a classical tale adapted into a popular Kabuki performance in late Edo, the story of the Fuji Musume or “Wisteria Maiden” is an often employed motif in Japanese art. In the story, the Wisteria Maiden is depicted in a painting holding a wisteria branch, until one day she becomes smitten with a young man passing by and steps out of the painting in an effort to capture his attention. Unfortunately, her attempts are futile...

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...

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

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

Inrô with five compartments with lake landscape decoration in continuity on both sides, in gold lacquer hira maki-e, taka maki-e, kirigane and brown lacquer on a fundame gold background. The interior is in nashi-ji lacquer.

Wooden netsuke representing Daikoku, carrying in his right hand his wooden mallet and in his left hand his bag.

Daikoku, deity of wealth and trade, is part of the Seven Gods of Happiness...

Japanese two section isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sado Island area. Original dark reddish lacquer finish. With hand-forged iron hardware, decorative plating incised with motifs of cranes and turtles with many tails, both symbols of longevity. The lower unit holds a corner safe box with two small drawers concealed inside.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41" L x 16" D x 41" H

Antique Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai or Iwayado area of Japan...

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 Sendai Ko Bo Tansu (personal chest with locking bar) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron hardware with Warabite handles. The bottom main drawer has a lock plate that features the lucky Sho Chiku Bai motif with a crane and a turtle added for additional good luck and longevity. The hinged door has two small drawers hidden behind. Also, there is natural built-up patina surrounding the metal-work.

The two fine and old haribako (Japanese Sewing Box) that we offer here on our site are likely the oldest ones you will see offered for sale. They come from the collection of a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. This lovely chest of paulownia and pine has the original hardware, original ruler, and original pincushion. 18.5h x 9d x 7.5w inches, 47h x 23d x 19w cm. Very Good Condition.

Beautiful Japanese antique kaidan tansu (step tansu) made of dramatic keyaki (elm) wood burl, iron hardware with hirute shaped drawer pulls, in two sections, Edo Period, circa 1850s, (early 19th century). Size: 76 3/4" high x 71 1/2" wide x 27 1/2" deep.

An antique Japanese Kannon Biraki Tansu (wedding Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware. Upper section features two hinged doors that secure two large and two small drawers. Behind the bottom small drawer is a secret hidden box where important valuables were kept. Bottom section has two full width drawers for additional storage. Constructed using Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 3...

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 single section mizuya tansu (kitchen chest). Made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with details in keyaki (elm). Two large sliding panels with vertical slats open to a large compartment with a shelf. Below this is a horizontal row of four small drawers with round, iron handles. The top of the antique tansu has been recently fitted with a beautiful piece of polished black granite, making it a dramatic and useful console or buffet counter.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912) ...

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 ...

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.

An antique Japanese 2 section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and Urushi lacquer finish. Upper section has two sets of sliding doors with two side by side drawers below. Bottom section has a pair of sliding doors, a lift-out door and six drawers of varying sizes. The sides have horizontal slats for added strength and support as well as visual design.

Age: Meiji Per...

Antique Japanese 2-section kiri isho tansu (clothing chest), made with very light natural color kiri (paulownia) wood with iron hardware. 4 large exterior drawers with a safe box in the lower right hand side. The interior of the safe box has two small drawers and the door has a key. Iron hardware includes warabite shaped drawer pulls and square form lock plates.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 40" high x 36" wide x 16 1/2" deep.

An antique Japanese Katana Tansu (sword chest) made entirely of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. All original hand made iron fittings including the Hirute drawer handles. Some loss to the metal commensurate with its age. Large top drawer stored the Katana, medium drawer stored the Wakazashi and the small drawer stored the polishing tools and extra hardware.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 44 1/4" Wide x 12" High x 12" Deep

Antique Japanese trunk with a deep red toned wood , iron handles on its sides, one large and one small drawer at its bottom with iron lockplates, and a large pierced iron lockplate on the lid, very roomy inside. Edo age (1615-1867) SIze: 25" height, 33.25" width, 16.25" depth

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. No repairs replacements or losses. 23cm (9inches) high; 21cm (8.25inches) wide; 10.5c...

A piece of Narumi-Kongata (also called Urumi-zome) cloth which is hand-spun cotton and dyed with vegetable indigo. Narumi-Kongata is one kind of katazome (stencil-resist-dye) imitating shibori. It had been produced from late Edo to Meiji period but not produced anymore. It has auspicious shrimp motif with intricate pattern which requires high dye and stencil making technique. In excellent condition. 35cm x 172cm