Catalog (948)

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. A pair of small drawers behind the lower doors with a false floor behind the lower drawer that hides a secret storage space where valu...

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). Storage consists of three large and three small drawers with a pair of sliding doors hiding a spacious area where merchant books and store records were kept.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-18...

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. Secret hiding space behind the smal...

An antique Japanese Gifu Choba Tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Famed Gifu region horizontal slats comprising the pair of sliding doors and the sides of the tansu. Comprised of 5 drawers of varying sizes, a spacious area behind the door pair and two small drawers to store valuables behind the hinged security door.

Constructed using through mortise and tenon joinery.

Age: Meiji Peri...

A vintage Japanese Kamo Isho Tansu (Kimono storage chest) in 2 sections made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original metal hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and the Plum blossom arabesque door lock plates. Upper section has a pair of sliding doors behind which lies two small drawers, a split level shelf and a pair of hinged doors that hide 4 removable Kimono trays. The lower section has 3 side by side drawers and 3 full width drawers.

The upper left drawer under th...

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. It would make an elegant side chest or night stand.

Age: Meiji Period ...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 18 1/2" H x 23 3/4" W x 11 3/4" D

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 Yonezawa Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles and the round lock plates. Three large drawers provide spacious storage for organizing. Side handles provide for easy carrying of the chest. Originates from the Yonezawa region of Japan.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 26 1/2" Wide by 23" High by 13 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Nagoya Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original bronze hardware. 2 section set. Upper section features 2 sets of sliding doors and four side by side drawers below. Bottom section has a pair of sliding doors and 3 side by side drawers. Originally used as a kitchen chest to store large jars of water, dishes, cooking utensils and serving ware. In a contemporary home, it will function well as a linen chest or beautiful st...

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. At the base lies two metal retractable pulls used to roll the tansu forward and backwards with wheels corresponding the the same ...

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

A 2 section Japanese Isho Biraki Kamo Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Constructed using high quality Kiri wood from the Aizu snow country region of Japan known for their slow growth and dense grain. Upper section features 2 hinged doors behind which are 7 Kimono trays and three small side by side drawers. A secret interior wood latch locks the left and right drawers from opening while the left drawer has a secret drawer accessible from the back. The bottom...

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. Typically very l...

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Biraki Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware. Upper section features a pair of sliding doors behind which lies a spacious storage area with a split level shelf with three side by side drawers below. The center section has two hinged doors that hide three removable Kimono trays while the bottom section has two drawers for added storage. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. ...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Tochinoki (Horse Chestnut) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original lhand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Six drawers of varying sizes with 2 sets of sliding doors. Merchant records and books were stored behind the upper doors. The lower doors hide three small drawers, a storage area for more records and a secret hiding drawer where valuables were kept hidden from possible thieves. Carrying handles to each side of...

An antique Japanese Sendai Bo Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and lacquered finish. Main drawer lockplate features Chrysanthemums with the lock bar featuring Pine trees and the bottom lock-late depicting a Paulownia leaf. 2 small drawers reside behind the hinged security door.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 42 1/2" Wide by 35" High by 17" Deep

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

A vintage Japanese Isho Biraki (stacking clothing chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Kaki (Persimmon) woods. All original hardware including the Warabite handles. Upper section features two sliding doors, two drawers and a hinged door all providing space for organizing small items. The center section has two hinged doors that open to four removable Kimono trays where lighter clothes or linens can be stored. The bottom section has two large drawers for additional spacious storage. The secti...

An antique tall Kasane Tansu (stacking Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron and bronze hardware. Upper section features a pair of sliding doors, a lift-out door and 6 drawers of varying sizes while the bottom section has 5 large drawers, a small drawer and a hinged security door that hides two small drawers where valuables were kept hidden away. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meij...

An antique Japanese Tohoku Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress). All original hand forged iron hardware with Urushi lacquer finish. Three sets of sliding doors with removable shelves behind the larger doors. Three side by side drawers provide additional storage. Sections can be separated for use in different rooms of the house.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 36 3/8" Wide by 62 1/2" High by 16 1/2" Deep

A vintage Japanese Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) in 3 section made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood with Kaki (Persimmon) wood accents. All original bronze and other metal hardware. Beautiful lacquer decorative plates adorn the sliding doors with a pair of flying cranes, woven baskets and bamboo trees. Behind the doors lie three small drawers and a split level shelf. The center section and bottom section each have three drawers with spacious storage each. Constructed using straight dovetail joi...

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 low chest called Isho Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Added custom iron base to elevate chest for modern form and function. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 36 1/2" Wide by 25 3/4" High by 16 3/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu (book storage chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria). All original bronze and hand forged Iron hardware including the stylized Mokko handles. Two sets of sliding doors behind which spacious storage was used to keep books. Two side by side drawers at the bottom for additional storage. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 34 5/8" Wide by 33...

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

A mid century 3 section Isho Biraki Tansu (Kimono chest with hinged doors) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Kaki (Persimmon) woods. All original bronze hardware. Top section features four sliding doors which open to a split lever shelf and two small drawers. Below this are 3 side by side drawers. The center section has two hinged doors that open to reveal 4 removable Kimono trays while the bottom section has two large drawers. The sections can be separated for use in different rooms of a house. ...

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...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage) chest made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Pair of sliding doors behind which is a split level shelf. Five drawers of varying sizes used for organizing and spacious storage. Constructed with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Early Taisho (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" Wide by 18 3/4" High by 11 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu made entirely of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original bronze and iron hardware. Six drawers and a pair of hinged doors that open to a merchant books and records storage area with vertical separators and a removable shelf. Thick wood drawer construction and the Tansu was made using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Early Taisho (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 34" Wide by 34 7/8" High by 14 1/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage) chest made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the slightly Gumbai style handles. Used for all purpose family storage of papers, letters and sundry articles, it works well in a contemporary home as a side chest or night stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 21 1/2" Wide by 21 3/4" High by 13" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Gifu Choba (Merchant ) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Quarter Sawn Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and a beautiful age acquired patina. Unique and rare visual striations in the frame intentionally produced by the quarter sawn cut of the wood. Upper section has a pair of sliding doors behind which is a spacious storage area with two side by side drawers below. The lower section has another pair of sliding doors with four larger dr...

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 Omise Tansu (merchant storage chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Consisting of 15 total drawers, it was used in a merchant store setting to organize and keep inventory available for sale. The upper counter was used for the display of wares and the wrapping of sold items. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 69 5/8" Wide by 26 3/4" High by 15 7/8" 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...

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu (Kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Original hand cast bronze hardware including the Warabite style handles. Top section has two sliding doors behind which lies a half split level shelf with three side by side drawers below. The center section features 3 drawers and the bottom section has 2 larger drawers for spacious clothes storage. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Taisho P...