Catalog (954)

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...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles which mimics the angular square lock plates of the drawers. The six drawers of varying sizes allows for functional organizing and spacious storage. Side handles allow one to carry the tansu from room to room.

Age: Early Meiji Period (1870-1880)

Dimensions: 26" Wide by 22 1/2" High by 13" Deep

An antique Japanese Nagoya Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Made in 2 sections, the upper portion has two sets of sliding doors with spacious storage while the bottom section has 9 drawers, a pair of sliding doors and a pair of hinged doors that provided storage and organizing of daily Japanese culinary tools, gadgets and utensils. Constructed using double mitered through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

An antique Japanese Choba Display Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Two sliding glass doors were used to showcase the store owner's wares with two drawers below for safe keeping the inventory. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Gunbai style handles. Drawer corners feature the raised tealeaf design suggesting this chest originated in the Yonezawa region of Japan. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

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 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 Isho Tansu (kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware and Oxblood red Urushi lacquer finish. Drawer lock plates have an unusual stylized insect-like incised design with fine stimple work accents and handles in the Warabite style. True dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails were used in the making of this chest.

Age: Late Meiji (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 35 1/4" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 16 5/8" Deep

A rare antique Japanese merchant chest (Choba Tansu). All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and the full moon lock plates. Entire exterior of the tansu is Keyaki (Zelkova) with drawer backs made of Kiri (Paulownia) woods. 16 total drawers for merchant storage of valuables. Each side has two sets of handles, one for long distance carrying and one for room placement. Original natural Urushi clear lacquer finish which boasts the beautiful grain pattern of th...

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 Tansu chest made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles with natural age acquired patina. The handles have unusual embossed designs of a crescent moon, a plum blossom and a Bugaku pattern. Drawer lock plates feature the full moon pattern and each section has side carrying handles. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions:...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware and Oxblood red Urushi lacquer finish. Drawer lock plates have an unusual stylized insect-like incised design with fine stimple work accents and handles in the Warabite style. True dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails were used in the making of this chest.

Age: Late Meiji (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 35 1/4" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 16 5/8" Deep

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 Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original patina and bronze hardware including the Warabite style handles and the Chrysanthemum incised lock plates. A configuration of 3 large drawers and 2 smaller side by side drawers provides for organization and storage. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. It would work well as a side chest or a bedside nightstand.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dime...

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)

A unusual example of an antique Japanese three section Tansu chest called Ishodansu made of Toneriko (Japanese Ash) and Katsura woods. Original bronze hardware including the Warabite handles and the kissing duck handle backplates. This one-of-a-kind Tansu highlights Yosegi (Marquetry) incorporated into the beautiful Japanese Ash burl. Upper section has two horizontal rolling siding doors hiding a split level display shelf with three side by side drawers below. Center section has two hinged do...

An antique Japanese Tansu chest called Oki Getabako (Large shoe chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Large two sliding doors hides 2 full width shelves. Originally used in a large Ryokan (country inn) in the Kansai region of Japan to store wooden clogs and shoes for guests staying there. Traditionally kept at the entrance of the inn, guests would remove their footwear and change into slippers that were provided. Constructed using through mortise and tenon joinery acq...

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu (tea chest) made entirely of Rosewood (Shitan). Beautiful configuration of sliding doors, shelves and drawers. Each display shelf has an arabesque border and the center and top shelf have a horizontal scrolling design. The top, back and sides all have floating panels and the chest has an open air design with areas for storage.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1900-1920)

Dimensions: 42" Wide by 42 1/2" High by 13" Deep

An antique pair of Japanese Fusuma doors made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Natural Urushi lacquer frame and hand painted design of Bamboo trees on one side and Pine trees with Bamboo on the opposite side. Bamboo symbolized tenacity and perseverance while the Pine tree represented a long life making these doors auspicious and full of good luck.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: Each 35 1/2" Wide by 71 1/2" High.

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Large upper drawer with two hinged doors that hides and secures 6 small drawers where valuables were kept. Side handles were used for carrying this tansu from place to place.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 15" Wide by 20 1/2" High by 12 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese two section display tansu (Kazaridana) made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Features 3 adjustable shelves with original bronze hardware and glass. Bottom section has 5 spacious drawers for additional storage.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1900-1920)

Dimensions: 72 3/4" Wide by 53 3/4" High by 18 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (Kimono chest on chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Mokko handles and the lock plates featuring a crossed feathers family crest of the original owner. Features three full width drawers, a partial width drawer and a hinged security door that hides 2 small drawers. Constructed with Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 41" W...

An antique Japanese Geta Bako (shoe chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Two large sliding doors hide a spacious area with 2 removable shelves. Used in an entry way of a Japanese country inn (Ryokan) to store guest wooden clogs and footwear before entering.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 53" Wide by 37 3/8" High by 15 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Bo Tansu (locking bar chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Warabite style handles. Three full width drawers and bottom partial width drawer with hinged security door hiding 3 small drawers. Underneath bottom small drawer lies a secret area where important flat documents or valuables were hidden from plain sight. Side and rare back slats added strength and visual design to this beau...