An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. It is comprised of 8 drawers of varying sizes and a pair of sliding doors that hides a spacious area where store records and account books were stored. Side handles were used to carry this Tansu from place to place. It would make a great side chest for any room decor.

Age: Taisho Era (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 29 3/4" Wide by 29 1/4" High by 14" Deep

A rare antique Japanese Choba Biraki Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged elaborate iron hardware featuring Warabite handles, bamboo leaves framing the hinged doors and a center bamboo stalk security plate. The doors secure 5 drawers where the merchant kept valuables atop the upper side by side drawers and wares in the three drawers below...

A rare antique Japanese Sakata Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and the Sakata lock plates. Two side by side drawers with a pair of sliding doors below that hides 3 drawers to the right and a merchant books and records storage space to the left. Secret hiding space behind the lower right drawer accessible by way of the left drawer cavity...

An antique Japanese Katana Tansu (sword storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Side handles for ease of carrying. Large drawer used to store the Katana while the medium drawer stored the Wakizashi. The small drawer stored the sharpening and cleaning supplies for the weapons.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1880)

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

An antique Japanese Ko Choba Tansu (small merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia). All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and the Chidori designed drawer front corners. Side by side drawer along the top with a locking bar securing two drawers and a hinged door that hides 2 smaller drawers where valuables were kept...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles and wiped Urushi lacquer finish. Horizontal slats on all four sides provide strength and visual Japanese architectural design. Two sets of sliding doors with two side by side drawers...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Originates from northern Honshu in the Tohoku region. All original hand forged iron hardware including the double pine tree catch on the lock plates and the plum blossom handle stoppers (called Atari)...

An antique Japanese Tohoku Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the rounded Kakute style handles with Sho Chiku Bai back plates. The full moon lock plates have an incised open fan design. In 2 sections, the upper portion has two full width drawers and the bottom section has a full width drawer, a partial width drawer and a security hinged door hiding 2 small drawers...

An antique Japanese Tansu called Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Unique double upper drawer merchant chest style in a smaller footprint. A combination of 6 drawers of varying sizes and a pair of sliding doors that hide a convenient storage area. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Removable hinged door opens to two large compartments where merchant books and store records were kept. Below are two drawers for additional storage. Side handles allow for easy placement of the chest in a room.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 25 3/4" Wide by 41 1/8" High by 17 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kuruma Choba Tansu (wheeled merchant chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the full moon style lock plate and interior Warabite handles. Hinged doors open to a 12 sectional compartment area where valuables were organized and stored. Below are two drawers where additional storage was used...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. Original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish including the full moon lock plates and the Warabite style handles. 3 full width drawers with a 3/4 width drawer and small drawer at the bottom. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)Dimensions: 22 1/8" Wide by 22 1/2" High by 12" Deep

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the double Plum Blossom handle stoppers called Atari. Upper section features 2 full width drawers and the bottom section has 1 full drawer, 1 partial width drawer, a hinged security door and two small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails...

An antique Japanese Isho Biraki (Kimono chest with doors) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Upper section opens to 4 removable Kimono trays, 2 Obi trays and 3 small accessory drawers. The bottom section has 3 large drawers for additional spacious storage of clothes. All original hardware and constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 37 1/4" Wide by 64 1/4" High by 17 3/4" Deep

An antique tall Kasane Tansu (stacking Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron and bronze hardware...

An antique Japanese Tansu chest called Todana made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles with an Urushi lacquer finish. Two sliding doors open to a storage area with a removable shelf where books were stored. Five drawers below provide additional storage and function.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 26 1/4" Wide by 22" High by 11" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles with custom added matching iron base. Features flush side handles and 5 drawers of varying sizes for organization and storage.

Age: Meiji Period (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 24" Wide by 29" High by 14 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese scholar's table made of Kokutan (Ebony) and Bamboo. Beautiful original Urushi lacquer finish and constructed using Japanese joinery for strength and durability. Beaded Ebony contains the Bamboo that decorates the stand and leg structure creating an elegant refined presentation. The stand has beautiful negative cutouts on the apron front and back. Used on a Tatami floor for writing and calligraphy.

Age: Meiji Period (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" Wide by 11 ...

An antique Japanese tall Kasane Tansu (kimono storage chest) made of burled Keyaki (Zelkova), Kura (Mulberry), Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles and the full moon lock plates. Upper section has a pair of sliding doors, a lift-out door and 6 drawers of varying sizes where Kimono fashion accoutrements were kept. The bottom section has 5 large drawers where the Kimonos were stored. Constructed using straigh...

An antique Japanese Kasa No Dai (umbrella stand) made entirely of one solid block of burled Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Entirely hand hewned and exquisitely carved into a wonderful sculpture of Japanese folkart (Mingei). Natural patina darkened over many years of careful use and display.

Age: Late Meiji Period (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 12" Wide by 21 3/8" High by 12" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute handles and the full moon lock plates. Upper section has 2 sliding doors with spacious storage behind and two side by side drawers below. The bottom section has 5 drawers of varying sizes, a large storage space covered by 2 sliding doors, a hinged security door that hides 2 small drawers where valuables were ke...

Extra large Japanese Edo to Meiji period single section kaidan (step) tansu with six steps, three storage compartments of various sizes with sliding doors, and three fitted drawers. Original iron handcrafted hardware and dovetail construction. 19th century. 71 1/2” high x 68 1/2” wide x 35 1/2” deep. Very solid overall condition. There are typical signs of natural wear from use. The wood has some shrinkage and cracks from the Arizona dry climate. Provenance: purchased in 2004 from t...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and Sakata lock plates. 5 drawers provide generous storage and organization. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 22 1/2" Wide by 23" High by 11 3/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Katana Sword box made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware. Front hinged door secures a long drawer that held a Katana for safe keeping. Of particular interest is the door stop on the lock plate featuring a stylized Fundo weight. This would suggest that the previous owner was in the profession responsible for coin exchange, weights and measures. The box was made using hardened wood nails.

Dimensions: 5 1/4" Wide by 5 1/4" High by 41" Lon...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and full moon lock plates. 6 drawers of varying sizes allow for generous storage. Sliding doors open to a split level compartment where merchant business books and records were kept. Hinged security door to the lower right hides two additional small drawers where store valuables were kept. Construction included Japanese straight dovetai...

An antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu (ship captain's safe) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. Large security door lifts out to reveal two large drawers where ship valuables were stored and kept safe from pirates and thieves. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Mokko style handles and the Pine and Bamboo incised lock plate.

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Upper section has two sliding doors behind which is a 1/2 split level shelf with 3 side by side drawers below. Center and bottom sections each have 2 large drawers for abundant clothes storage. All original bronze and iron hardware with an acquired original patina.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 35 3/4" Wide by 55 3/4" High by 15 3/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Opposing hinged doors with the right side securing 2 drawers and the left side hiding 2 removable trays and a drawer. The balance of the chest has 9 drawers of varying sizes to storage and organization. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

The Kotansu was an all purpose chest used to keep important documents, valuables, writing ...

A Very rare example of an antique Japanese Kuruma Tansu (wheeled chest) made of Keyaki burl (Zelkova), Kuri burl (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original iron hardware and translucent Urushi lacquer finish. Sliding doors hides a large storage space with a small drawer tucked away. Below are three side by side drawers for additional storage. Side slats provided strength and durability to the chest during moves while providing a Japanese visual design element. Constructed using th...

Antique Japanese Tansu Chest Nambu Kimono Chestnut Meiji An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu (chest of drawers) from the Nambu region made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand made iron fittings including the three dimensional style lock plates and top drawer handle backplates of which Nambu is known for having created. The handles are of the Warabite style and the lock plates feature floral designs. The security door at the bottom right features good ...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with bronze sliding door handles and Warabite style drawer handles. 3 sets of sliding doors each set progressively larger with removable shelf behind each set. Side slats provide strength, stability and visual architectural design.

The Mizuya Tansu was often used in the kitchen of a Japanese home where jars of water was store...

A rare and fine example of a Japanese Nihon Matsu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Honoki (Magnolia) and old growth Kiri (Paulownia) woods. Early merchant chest configuration featuring a pair of sliding doors above, a large storage drawer in the center and a pair of sliding doors below hiding small drawers, a secret box and a storage space for merchant books and records. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles, the raised seed pod design c...

An antique Japanese Kansai Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Ninoki (Cypress woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute handles. In 2 sections, the upper portion has three sets of sliding doors with storage space behind each and 3 small drawers to the right with 5 side by side drawers along the lower part. The bottom section has 2 sliding doors with spacious storage behind and a set of 4 drawers vertically aligned and 4 drawers along the bottom ...

An antique Japanese 2 section Todana Tansu (shelf and drawer chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original bronze hardware with hand made glass and age old acquired patina. Side slats provide stability and strength. Top section has 2 sets of sliding doors with a removable shelf behind the lower pair. The bottom section has 1 set of sliding doors with 5 drawers of varying sizes.

Age: Late Meiji Period (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 29 3/8" Wide by 47 1/4" High ...

An antique Japanese Katana Tansu (sword chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Beautiful naturally acquired patina over its long history. Long drawer for Katana storage, short drawer for Tanto storage and a small drawer for Katana parts and polishing supplies.

Age: Early Meiji Period (1870-1880)

Dimensions: 45 3/4" Wide by 12" High by 12" Deep

An unusual antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with Warabite handles and unusual double hinged door design. Interior holds 9 drawers of varying sizes and 2 shelves. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Each side has swivel handles for long distance transport and pairs of carrying handles for placement in a room.

Age: Late Edo Period (1800-1850)