There is no visible image of God in Japanese Shinto religion. For this reason, people find the spirit of God in their surroundings, especially in nature. In the noh play “Takasago”, an old couple is seen together on the beach of Takasago (today’s Hyogo prefecture) sweeping pine needles under the trees. The old man Jo and old woman Uba are the spirits of the pine trees that were grown in Takasago and Sumiyoshi. The two trees are located far away but they are together with their spirits...

This is an old silk fukusa from Meiji period (1868-1912). This type of fukusa is a covering placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony. Lined with a deep red crepe silk, this fukusa is almost in perfect condition.

Pine trees are considered as sacred in Japan. Here, an ancient pine tree is mostly done with the gold couching, overlaying of threads (wrapped in gold) rather than going in and out of the base fabric...

Japanese antique fukusa, a gift cover embroidered with "The Old Couple of Takasago" on wool (rasha, felt like), padded and lined with orange crepe silk, Meiji period (1868-1912).

The story of the old couple, Jo and Uba, came from the Noh play, Takasago, which was written during the Muromachi period (1336-1573) by Zeami. Jo and Uba were spirits who resided in an old pine tree which was two trees that grew together over the years...

This is a Japanese fukusa, a gift cover with the design of the “Eight Views of Omi”. In the beginning of the 16th century, eight scenic spots in Omi (Shiga, Japan) were selected by closely following the Chinese “The Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers”...

An antique Japanese Fukushima Kasane (chest on chest) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer front with a wiped lacquer technique for the balance of the piece. Hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the lock plates featuring auspicious good luck symbols like the treasure bag, the Gunbai paddle, and the lucky mallet...

Antique Japanese Funa Bako (ship safe box) made of a very dark reddish Keyaki (Zelkova) hardwood, with a front hinged door adorned with iron hardware. Decorated with small flower studding and flower lockpins. Behind the hinged door are six drawers of varying size with ring pulls. Very heavy and solid, original finish. Features a hidden secret drawer.

Late Edo (circa 1880's)

Size: 16" height, 5" width, 17.25" depth

Antique Japanese Funa Bako or ship safe chest with an original black lacquer finish. Ornate iron hardware decorates the front of the box with a side locking mechanism. Behind the front door are six drawers with ring pulls. Two of the drawers are precious and small, one labelled in kanji. Outside is made of Hinoki wood (Cypress) while the inside drawers are made of Kiri wood (Paulownia). Dates from the Edo age 19th century. Size: 15" height, 17" depth, 13" width

An antique Japanese Funa Bako (ship safe box) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and natural Urushi lacquer finish. The safe door opens to 5 drawers where valuables were kept. The heavy weight of the case combined with a buoyant interior allowed the crew members to attach a rope to the handle and throw the safe overboard during a pirate attack...

Antique Japanese rare Funa tansu from Fukushima, made of Kiri (paulownia) wood. All original condition/finish. Five drawers of various size in front with simplistic iron hardware and four locks. Each drawer has it's own key.

Edo Period (1605-1868)

Size: 21.75" L x 15" W x 22" H

An antique Japanese Funa Tansu (captain's chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style drawer pulls and the Warabite style carrying handle. Iron strapping over the exterior of the chest. Front security door opens to reveal 4 drawers. A secret hiding area is accessible when the lower drawer is fully removed...

Rare Japanese Funa Tansu known as a Ship Captain's vault chest. Made with beautiful original thick Hinoki (Japanese cedar) wood, with triangular mortis and tenon joinery. The corners and drawers are accented by attractive ash color iron plating. The inside of the chest holds a unique array of seven drawers in a natural finish, with hirute type drawer pulls and all but three with additional locks.

An old Japanese label remains on the second drawer down...

Rare Japanese Sado Island Funa Tansu, also known as a captains ship safe. Made of solid quarter sawn Keyaki (Zelkova wood) burl construction with heavy hand-forged iron plates and mounts. The front of the piece with a drawer above a pull-out panel, opened by Kakute handles. The bottom panels pulls away to reveal four interior drawers surrounding a second pull-out panel, all with Hirute handles. The middle panel opens to a safe keeping box with heavy iron lock and hardware...

Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship safe chest) in original red lacquer Urushi finish. With heavy black iron fittings, a top handle for carrying. The front hinged door plated in iron, incised with Kiri leaf and peony designs, the side lock incised with mushrooms. The interior holds five drawers of varying size with pull handles. Included with a copy of antique certification from Oct. 17 1973.

Late Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 13" W x 16.5" D x 15" H

Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (merchant's ship safe chest), made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with beautiful original translucent lacquer finish with deep patina, heavy iron hardware including bracing on front with Kiri mon, interior with 5 small Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood drawers, Edo Period (c1850), on custom made metal stand. Size: 22 3/4" high (15" high without stand) x 13 1/4" wide x 17" deep.

An antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. All original hand forged iron fittings and finish. Top handle in the Warabite design for carrying. Safe door opens to reveal 5 drawers where important documents, papers, writing brushes, an inkstone and valuables were stored...

Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship safe box) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood in original dark finish, on a black wood stand. Six small drawers are sealed away within, with kan (ring) pulls. The front is decorated by black, incised iron hardware with a cherry blossom handles. Edo period (1603-1868)

Dates from the mid 19th century Size: 13" W x 17.5" D x 15" H (20.75" H)

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.