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

Antique Japanese Butsudan, Buddhist shrine for a home. This butsudan is in two sections. The top section has four folding doors that open to a shrine interior: An multilevel altar with carved details, gold leafed silk and columns. There is a small storage compartment closed by carved sliding panels. The bottom section has two storage drawers...

Antique Japanese tansu with original deep-red lacquer finish. The top portion of the chest has three full-width drawers and locking bar. The lower portion of the chest has two medium sized drawers with a locking bar on the left hand side, a safe box on the right. The safe box door has heavy iron work and opens to reveal 3 small interior drawers. Other iron hardware includes warabite drawer pulls, extensive corner bracing and handles for carrying...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware with Kaute style handles. 6 drawers of varying sizes with a pair of sliding doors and a security door that hides 2 additional drawers and a secret box where valuables were kept.

This Tansu would make a perfect side chest or nightstand.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 32" Wide by 31'" High by 18" Deep

Antique Japanese small ko tansu (chest for personal use). Made all of kiri wood. 7 drawers of various size, each with a bronze hirute shaped drawer pull. Two of the drawers have round lock plates. Nice overall patina.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 18 3/4" high x 28" wide x 12 1/4" deep

Antique Japanese tall merchant's box. Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood with iron hardware. The box has a total of 9 small drawers: upper drawers most likely held writing implements, tools or documents while the ink stains on the inside of the lower drawers reveal they once held ink, seals and ink stone...

Antique Japanese tansu with 9 drawers. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood with traces of black lacquer. The upper portion of the chest has three full-width drawers. The lower portion of the chest has five drawers of various sizes including three very small drawers. Iron hardware includes square drawer pulls and heavy lock plates. Nice patination over all.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 25 3/4" high x 29 3/4" wide x 14" deep

Antique Japanese small tansu with 7 drawers. The frame is made of chestnut while the front of the chest is all kiri (paulownia) wood. Sugi (cryptomeria-Japanese cedar) is use for the drawer interiors. The upper portion of the chest has six drawers in two rows. The bottom portion has a single full-width drawer...

Antique Japanese hangai tansu (captain's chest for business transactions). Two door panels outfitted with heavy iron work set into the frame and open to reveal five drawers on either side. The exterior frame of of the box is made of sugi (cryptomeria - Japanese cedar) while the drawers are made of kiri (paulownia) wood. The exterior has square iron handles while the interior has iron warabite shaped drawer pulls...

Antique Japanese Nihon Matsu isho tansu (clothing chest) in two sections from the Nihonmatsu area of Fukushima Prefecture. Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. Iron hardware has a deep red lacquer finish and includes hirute shaped drawer pulls and large square lock plates with shōchikubai symbols (three friends of winter: plum, pine and bamboo) and a butterfly key hole cover. The top section has 2 large full-width drawers...

Exceptional antique Japanese large kannon biraki tansu (chest with hinged doors). Two stacking sections made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. This chest has unusually bold hardware made of iron with traces of red lacquer. Each of the two large doors on the upper portion is fitted with a large iron kiri mon (specifically Gosan-no-kiri-mon) During the Edo Period, this crest became a well established mon of the Japanese government where previously it was used only by the imperial family...

Antique Japanese small tansu with 5 drawers of various sizes. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood and still in it's original condition. Iron hardware includes hirute shaped drawer pulls and each drawer has a lock plate. The sides of the chest have a deep reddish lacquer finish. The deep patination is from hundreds of years of careful use.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 25" high x 25 3/4" wide x 13 1/2" deep

Antique Japanese gyosho bako (peddler's chest for a traveling salesman). Made with sugi (cryptomeria - cypress) wood on the outside and kiri (paulownia) wood on the inside, this box would have been light enough to carry. The single door opens to reveal a series of 10 light weight stacking trays which slide out like drawers. Each is marked with a character in light ink for organization. There is also an exterior drawer with a round iron lock and square handle...

Antique Japanese small ko tansu (chest for personal storage). Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. The chest has sliding panels on the top portion which open two a single compartment. Below this is a row of 3 small drawers over two full-width drawers. Hardware is made of cast iron.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 24 1/4" high x 22" wide x 13" deep

Antique Japanese single section mizuya tansu (kitchen chest). Made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with details in keyaki (elm)...

Rare antique Japanese large kuruma tansu, wheeled storage chest. Made with keyaki (elm) wood on the front. The sides and back are reinforced with hinoki (Japanese cypress) slats. The upper portion of the chest has three full-width drawers held shut with a locking bar (bo). The lower portion has two medium sized drawers also held shut with another locking bar. On the lower right hand side is a safe box with a hinged door (with key) which opens to reveal 3 small interior drawers. The hardwa...

An antique Japanese long low Todana Tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. Visually stunning horizontal slats on the two sliding doors cover 6 drawers (3 on each side). Original hand forged iron Hikute handles on each drawer. Additional slats to each side. It would make a wonderful sideboard or base cabinet for a TV monitor.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 70 3/4" Wide by 28 3/4" High by 19" D

Antique Japanese suzuri bako (writing box). Made of beautiful keyaki (zelkova elm) burl and persimmon wood. Unusually fine joinery on the corners. With three small drawers. The top is a persimmon wood panel that lifts off to reveal a compartment intended for an ink stone. The inside of the compartment has traces of red pigment as well as calligraphy and an array of brush stokes. One can imagine the calligrapher hurriedly wiping his brush or making a practice stoke.

Age: Meiji Per...

Antique Japanese large 2-section storage tansu for an herbal merchant. Made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, beautifully worn and patinated from years of use. The top section has a large compartment opened by two sliding panels and with two interior shelves. The bottom section has 38 drawers for storage of various herbs and wares. Every drawer has an iron hirute-shaped pull.

Age: Early Meiji period (circa mid 1800's)

Dimensions: 67 3/4" high x 71 1/2" wide x 18" deep ...

A rare antique Japanese Okidoko (display stand for a Tokonoma room) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. The top is one thick solid long piece of this rare wood. With 2 pairs of sliding doors behind which objects of art and scrolls were stored.

Designers have incorporated this style chest into an entry way bench where guests would sit to take off their shoes and store them within its confines.

Age: Meiji period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 116 1/2" Wide by 12 1/2" High by 13 5/8" Dee...

Antique Japanese kannon biraki tansu. Single section with hinged doors which open to reveal 4 interior drawers; two large and two small. Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood with iron hardware. The large, round lock plate and cross bracing are classical aspects of this type of chest. Used for storing clothing and outfitted with handles for carrying.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 20 1/2" high x 37" wide x 16 1/4" deep

Antique Japanese single section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest). Made with Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Restored to reveal the beauty of the natural wood grain. Pair of matched sliding panels open to a spacious storage area. Addition of an optional simple, strong, Japanese inspired shelf if you so choose for us to construct it.

Age: Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 74" L x 28" H x 14" D

An antique Japanese Sendai Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles and the stylized Chrysanthemum arabesque lock plates. 6 drawers with a security door that hides 2 small drawers used to protect valuables. It comes with a key.

Age: Late Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 45 1/4" Wide by 34 3/4" High by 17 1/4" Deep

Antique Japanese single section mizuya (kitchen tansu). Made with sugi (cryptomeria) wood and hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood refinished to reveal the beauty of the natural wood grain. Iron hardware with round lock plates and warabite shaped drawer pulls. The tansu has three large drawers on the right and a compartment with sliding panels over two smaller drawers on the left.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33 1/4" high x 65" long x 18 1/2" deep

An antique Japanese gilt wood temple Ranma (transom). Hand carved depicting a pair of Kingfisher with 3 Swallows amongst Lotus blossoms and leaves. One Swallow has caught a small fish while one Kingfisher has caught the leg of a frog. Deep relief with inscription on left and partial inscription on right.

Momoyama Period (1573-1603)

Dimensions: 43" Wide by 11 3/8" High by 2 3/8" Deep

Antique Japanese single section mizuya (kitchen tansu). Made with keyaki (zelkova elm) wood on the front with beautiful grain. Two large storage compartments with sliding panels. One with wire for ventilation and display. The lower portion of the chest has two drawers with iron warabite shaped drawer pulls.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33 1/2" high x 35 1/4" wide x 17 7/8" deep

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. A full width drawer on the top most portion, three medium drawers on the left opposite a hinged safe box door (with key) with 3 interior drawers. The lower portion of the tansu has two shallow drawers positioned side-by-side over another full-width drawer on the bottom. Iron hardware includes square drawer pulls, unusual lock plates on the drawers and safe box with cross bracing.

Age: Edo Period (1...

Antique Japanese storage tansu opened by two large sliding panels with horizontal slats. The doors open to a compartment with a shelf and two drawers on the right. One of the drawers has a hidden compartment. The left side opens to a single shelf. The tansu is made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) and sugi (cryptomeria) wood. Hardware is made of iron and includes lock plates and two warabite shaped drawer pulls.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 25 1/4" high x 39" w...

Japanese antique kusuri tansu, chest with many drawers for storing medicinal herbs for an apothecary. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood with sugi (cryptomeria) wood frame. Small hand holds cut in the sides for convenience. Each of the 49 small drawers is labeled with a paper label. Older labeling in ink can be seen on some drawers. The lower portion of the chest has three medium sized drawers. Hardware is made of iron and includes rings pulls, warabite shaped handles on the larger drawers and...

A large antique Japanese Kotansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Two sliding doors open to a spacious storage area with two small drawers to the side and two full width drawers below. Unusual size that would make the perfect night stand or side cabinet in any room decor.

Age: Taisho Era (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 35 5/8" Wide by 24 5/8" High by 15 1/2" Deep

A rare antique Japanese Chobako (merchant desk) made entirely of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original patina and hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute and Warabite style handles. The front features opposing hinged security doors with 2 left drawer and 3 right drawers with a set of larger 3 drawers in between. The top has 3 hinged doors, one that housed the inkstone, one that kept the ink for the family seal and one large storage compartment. Two coin slots above two drawers to inse...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (stacking Kimono chest) in 3 sections made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware including the Warabite style handles and the Uchide no Kozuchi (lucky treasure hammer) sliding door pulls. Top section includes the 2 sliding doors with 3 side by side drawers below. Opening the doors reveals a split level shelf and a small drawer for hair ornament storage. The center section has 3 full width Kimono drawers and the bottom section has 2 obi drawers a...

An antique Japanese Ranma (transom) made of Akita Sugi (Cryptomeria from Akita prefecture) and Hinoki (Cypress). Natural Urushi black lacquer frame. Hand carved scene featuring a good luck turtle with longevity tail admiring an old Plum Blossom tree with scatterings of Bamboo underneath.

Age: Taisho Era (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 73 1/4" Wide by 14 1/2" High.

A beautiful tall 3 section Mikuni Kimono Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with Hikute handles and natural Urushi lacquer finish. Upper section has 2 sliding doors with 3 side by side drawers below. The center section has 3 full width drawers and the bottom section has 1 full width drawer, a partial width drawer and a hinged security door protecting 2 small drawers. An unusual feature is the very elaborate backplates behind each...

An unusual early Meiji period medicine 2-tiered Kusuri chest. Made from 100% quarter sawn kiri (Paulownia) wood, and small hand forged iron pull hardware. Original warm red tones with brown undertones finish give the small chest a great sensibility. Total of 13 individual drawers, used to store and keep natural remedies, herbs and tonics.

Age: Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 12” Wide x 12” Deep x 17 1/2” High

A wonderful example of an original Japanese Armored Safe chest. Constructed of hand selected and quartered sawn keyaki (zalkova hardwood) and hand forged iron hardware / fittings. Thick hinged door opens to reveal 4 individual drawers with secret compartment located under the largest (bottom) drawer. Internal drawers are made of original light kiri (paulownia) wood.

Age: Edo Period late 18th Century

Dimensions: 19" High x 15 3/4" Wide x 18 1/3" Deep

Antique Japanese suzuribako (calligraphy writing box) for a merchant. Made of keyaki (elm) wood burl with iron hardware. Two drawers: one for writing implements and one drawer with a lock for keeping money, seals, and important documents safe. A top compartment with a hinged lid would have kept an ink stone.

Age: Meiji Period 1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 3/4" high x 8 1/2" wide x 12 7/8" deep

A rare antique Sendai Tansu in 2 sections made of quartered sawn Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware and natural Urushi lacquer finish. Lock plates feature a rare dragon motif with upper and lower drawer showing the dragon protecting a sacred Hoju. Warabite handles have incised scrolling detail. Hinged and keyed security door protects two small drawers. Beautiful original condition, ready to be enjoyed.

Age: Edo Era (1800-1850)

D...

A rare antique Japanese Kuruma Tansu (wheeled chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and bottom rope pull rings. Horizontal wood slats on all four sides provide strength and age old beauty. Two large sliding doors open to a spacious storage area with a storage shelf. Below are two side by side drawers for additional organization and storage needs. Constructed using Japanese double and single through mortise and tenon joine...

An antique Japanese Kansai Mizuya Tansu in 2 sections made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Upper section features two sets of sliding doors with a set of 5 side by side drawers. Bottom section has 2 large sliding doors that open to a spacious storage area behind. Constructed using Japanese mortise and tenon joinery. Drawer handles are Hikute style made of hand forged iron.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1900).

Dimensions: 71 3/4" Wide by 67 1/4" High by 19 3/4" Deep

Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) with hinged biraki doors. Made of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood with a deep red lacquer finish. The upper portion of the chest has three exterior drawers over the doors which open to reveal a large compartment and four small interior drawers. The lower portion of the chest has two large exterior drawers. Extensive iron hardware includes cross bracing moko shaped drawer pulls, lock plates, and foliate corner brackets. Comes with 5 keys.

Age: Tai...

Antique Japanese small box with 5 drawers. Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. Drawers of various sizes with two on the left and 3 on the right. The top two drawers are lacquered a deep red on the inside. Hardware with both moko and warabite shape and lock plates of graduating size.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 7 1/2" high x 19 1/8" wide x 6 3/4" deep

Antique Japanese small haribako (sewing box). Made with 5 small drawers of various sizes. A hinged lid on top flips up to reveal a tray for storing a pin cushion and sewing supplies. This pulls out to reveal a secret hidden drawer behind it. To the right of this is a flip up holder for the third hand clip. Sakura (Cherry) body and Kuri (Chestnut) wood drawer fronts, Kiri (Paulownia) wood drawer interiors. Bronze hardware with Warabite drawer pulls.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926) ...

Antique Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area. Made with keyaki (zelkova elm) wood front and sugi (cryptomeria) wood frame. The chest has four large drawers, two small drawers and a safe box (with key) which opens to two small interior drawers. The hardware is made of iron and features beautiful lock plates in the form of scrolling vines with a chrysanthemum mon in the center and warabite drawer pulls. Lacquer finish is a deep translucent red with black lacquer on the fro...

A rare antique Japanese choba biraki tansu (merchant's chest). Made of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood with burled wood on the front. The top portion of the chest has a large full-width drawer. On the right side is vertical row of four small drawers. Two hinged doors open to a shelf and two small interior drawers. And two medium sized drawers line the bottom of the chest. Hand forged iron hardware includes warabite handles, round lock plates and cross bracing on the doors.
Originating in t...

A small antique Japanese Cha Tansu (tea chest) made of Kuri (Chestnut), Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original bronze hardware including the Warabite handles. A pair of sliding doors and a lift-out door housed the tea accoutrements for serving guests. A built-in split level shelf was used to display seasonal ornaments or favorite small collectibles while 6 drawers of varying sizes provided additional areas for storage and organizing.

Age: Late Meiji Era (1900-1910)

An antique Japanese single section Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute handles and natural Urushi lacquer finish. Sliding main doors hide 6 drawers of varying sizes and a shelf where merchant books and records were kept. Three side by side drawers below the doors were used to keep valuables and store inventory. With 6 keys.

Age: Edo Era (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 34 1/2" Wide b...

A very rare antique Japanese Choba Biraki Safe Tansu (merchant safety chest with hinged doors) made of old growth Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the main drawer lock plate of Pine trees with matching corners of monkeys reaching for peaches, the hexagonal hinged door lock representing the owner's family crest and Furui (old) Kakute handles. Hinged doors open to 7 drawers of varying sizes. The front of the bottom right drawer has an ...

Rare antique Japanese Biraki Choba (merchant chest with hinged doors). The doors open to reveal 9 drawers of various sizes over a single large exterior drawer. Heavy iron hardware includes extensive cross bracing, large hinges, warabite drawer-pulls, a large round lock plate, a lock and 3 keys.
The lock plate has a large Minamoto Clan family crest-likely that of the Seiwa Genji clan. Warriors such as Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate; and Ashikaga Takauji, ...

Antique Japanese small cha tansu (tea chest). Made with chestnut wood frame and burled hardwood drawer fronts. Two slider panels and a drop in panel are covered with gold-leafed silk on wood. The center of the chest has a small display area with a staggered shelf and two small drawers. The lower portion of the chest has three small drawers and a full-width drawer on the bottom.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 25 7/8" high x 23 1/4" wide x 10" deep

Antique Japanese kyodai (vanity box with mirrors). With three hinged mirrors that close inward. The back mirror swivels up and down. The box has 8 drawers of various sizes. The box is carved with peony flowers. The backs of the mirror panels are carved so that when it is closed they display large peony flowers on one panel and a fu-dog on the other. Carved all over with a faceted texture and finished with red and black negoro lacquer.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dime...

Antique Japanese kyodai (box with drawers and mirror). Made with burled mulberry wood with intricate grain. The interior is all kiri (paulownia) wood with a wiped lacquer finish inside the drawers. The box has 5 drawers of various sizes for storing personal items. The spandrel under the mirror is carved with a bird flying in front of a full moon and tall grasses. Original beveled glass mirror which swivels up and down.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 64 1/2" h...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and the metal embossings symbolizing the four seasons; Maple leaves on the handles representing the Fall season, Mums representing Spring, etc. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 23 1/4" Wide by 16 1/4" High by 11 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu (cabinet chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron handles including the Warabite handles. Two sliding doors behind which lies a large storage area, a lift-out door where additional storage was used and 6 drawers of varying sizes used to organize ones belongings. Side slates added strength and support. Constructed using both single and double through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji Peri...

An unusually small and rare antique Japanese Cha Tansu (tea chest) made of Kuwa (Mulberry) and Kuri (Chestnut) woods. All original bronze hardware. Two sliding doors behind which tea accessories were stored. A lift-out door behind which housed a tea canister of dried tea leaves ready for brewing. With four drawers of varying sizes to store additional tea accoutrements.

Age: Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 17 1/4" Wide by 18 1/4" High by 9" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Urushi lacquer on Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Featuring 4 drawers of varying sizes and a safety hinged door hiding two small drawers where valuables were kept.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 24 3/8" Wide by 22" High by 12" Deep

Antique Japanese 2-section mizuya tansu (kitchen chest) from the Mikuni area. Made with hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood framing and beautifully grained keyaki (zelkova elm) wood panels on the drawers and sliders. The frame is lacquered a rich reddish-orange while the slider frames are lacquered black. The top section has an unusual, narrow full width compartment on the very top with two sliders. Below this is a large compartment also with two sliders beside a small compartment on the right op...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original cast bronze hardware including the Warabite handles. Straight dovetail joinery construction with hardened wooden nails. Versatile storage with 6 drawers of varying sizes.

Age: Meiji (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 24" Wide by 17 1/4" High by 11 1/4" Deep

Antique Japanese large single section mizuya (kitchen chest) with 8 wide drawers. Made with all fine-grain hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood on the front and frame. Each drawer has iron corner brackets, hirute shaped drawer pulls and square lock plates.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 37 1/2" high x 74" wide x 21" deep

Antique Japanese todana tansu (storage chest). Large sliding panels with wide horizontal slats open to a series of interior drawers: four drawers on the right (two large and two small) and three large drawers on the left. The front and frame of the tansu is made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with kiri (paulownia) wood drawers. Iron hardware includes hirute shaped drawer pulls.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 31 1/2" high x 72 3/4" wide x 22" deep

A unique custom made antique Japanese winter door coffee table on iron stand with built-in brazier-style display area. Iron stand was designed using faux arts and crafts style through mortise and tenon joinery. Door was made using framework of Hinoki (Cypress) with two solid Akita Sugi (Akita Cryptomeria) panels.

Age: Door 1910 to 1920

Dimensions: 68 1/4" Long by 30 3/4" Wide by 19 1/4" High