Antique Japanese mizuya tansu (kitchen chest) in two sections: top section has two large compartments covered by sliding panels with beautiful keyaki (elm) wood burl framed in chestnut; the bottom compartment has a horizontal row of four drawers about waist height below which is another large compartment covered by sliding panels of split bamboo, sugi, and keyaki; along the very bottom is another horizontal row of four drawers; the right hand side of the bottom section has a compartment ope...

Rare and unusual Antique Japanese Keyaki (elm) burl chose tansu. The pair of sliding doors has elegantly hand carved paneling with multiple storage shelving within. Bold pierced iron hardware decorating each drawer corner with kakute (square) handles and locks. Stunning original deep red finish complimenting the natural burl woodgrain. Excellent hardware and unusual design. Edo Period (circa 1840's). Size: 36" H x 35" L x 15"D

An antique Japanese large Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections that was made of Hinoki (Cypress), Kakinoki (Persimmon) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The center drawers have a very unique design made by the decorative Persimmon accents making each one look like a gift box. All sliding doors have Persimmon runners used to smooth out the slide and help prevent wear at the bottom.

Japanese joinery is evident throughout the piece making use of the mortise and tenon technique...

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), made of keyaki (elm) wood with beautiful strong grain and burl wood on especially on the sliding panels and the drawer panels, sliders open to compartment with one shelf, right side has 3 small drawers, 2 medium sized drawers on bottom and one large drawer on top, heavy iron hardware and original reddish orange translucent lacquer finish, from the Shinshu area of Nagano Prefecture, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 38" high x 36" wide x 14 1...

Rare and beautiful Japanese antique kura tansu (storage chest), all keyaki (elm) wood front and framing, iron hardware, top portion has 3 drawers and lower portion has sliding panels with horizontal slats, bottom right interior has two small drawers also made of keyaki wood, deep brown translucent lacquer finish with wonderful patina, Edo Period. Size: 41 3/4" high x 38 3/4" wide x 21 1/4"deep.

Japanese keyaki and persimmon wood choba tansu, beautiful keyaki grain on front with a frame that is edged in persimmon wood, there is a compartment with sliding panels made of solid burl wood with a stepped shelf on the interior, the safe box has a key and two small interior drawers also with keyaki wood fronts, inside the safe box is a very hidden secret compartment (detail shows writing on hidden panel door). Meiji Period. Size: 32 3/4" high x 32" wide x 14 1/4" deep.

A gorgeous Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai region, with a red lacquer Sugi (cedar) frame and Keyaki (elm) front drawers in its original, rich honey finish. Each drawer opens with mokko (melon) style handles on lotus back plates, and is adorned with elaborate scrolling vine iron locks. The bottom safe box holds three red lacquer front drawers, and hides away a secret back compartment.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 46.5" L x 23.5" W x 34.5" H

Antique Japanese 2-section choba tansu (merchant's chest) from the Matsumoto region. Made with Keyaki (elm/zelkova) dramatic burl hardwood front panels. The upper section features a pair of sliding panels, with an open shelved compartment inside over two small drawers. One drawer has a slot above it to deposit money inside. There is also a secret hidden compartment, holding a small treasure box with kanji inscription. This style of chest is quite rare...

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made of keyaki (elm) wood burl with heavy iron hardware. The upper most portion of the chest has a large full width drawer above a compartment with sliding panels. The middle of the tansu has a horizontal row of three small drawers. The bottom portion of the tansu has a series of three drawers stacked in a vertical row and held in place with a locking bar...

A Japanese antique merchant (Choba) tansu made of thick quartered sawn keyaki wood with keyaki burl wood doors. The wonderful hardware is hand made iron. The casing is crytomeria. The tansu's top section has three top drawers. The mid section has sliding doors with an interior shelf and adjacent two drawers. The lower section has 4 small drawers and below them 3 more smaller drawers...

A rare antique Japanese Kusuri Tansu (herbal medicine pharmacist chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original finish and hand made iron fittings. Includes swivel side carrying handles which when flipped up allowed a wood or bamboo pole to slide through allowing two attendants to carry the chest about. Sliding doors allowed access to a storage area where herbal books, customer notes and prescriptions were stored...

A rare edo period Japanese choba (merchants) tansu from the Niigata perfection in Japan. Made of solid keyaki hardwood (including the back). Finely detailed hand forged iron of a flying crane and longevity turtle seen amongst the pine and bamboo. The lower two drawers depict a lock and drum. Stunning original finish with warm tones. 8 drawers in total each of there own size...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. It has a configuration of 9 drawers, a pair of Biraki-Do (hinged doors) hiding a center shelf and a thief's door behind which lies two more small drawers. Two side lift-up handles through which a bamboo pole would go allowing two persons to carry this tansu from place to place...

An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu made of 100% quartered sawn Keyaki (Zelkova) hardwood and Suginoki interior (Cryptomeria) woods. All original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. 5 large drawers with a hinged security door that hides 2 small drawers where valuable were kept hidden...

A rare antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu (captain's chest originating from Sakata, Japan) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. The sides and top of the body used solid unspliced thick wood boards...

A rare antique Japanese Hangai Tansu (captain's business transaction chest) made of Keyaki Tamamoku (Zelkova Burl) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original translucent Urushi lacquer with hand made bronze hardware. Security door with two side trick latches and a top lock and key that hides 6 interior drawers of varying sizes. The trick latches unlock by lifting the knob up and to the right for the left latch and up and to the left for the right latch. Unusual feature where the outer sides...

A rare antique Ryobiraki Choba Tansu (merchant chest with hinged doors) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original thick gauged hand forged iron hardware. Shackle lock with working key secures the removable hinged doors that open to a pair of sliding doors and four drawers. A secret button unlatches the left hinged door to open. The spacious area behind the sliding doors was used to store merchant business records and books while the drawers were used to store money,...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Kakute handles. Two pairs of sliding doors were used to store merchant records and books. 6 drawers were used for keeping business accessories and valuables. Main drawer lock plate features an incised Turnip with leaves. Constructed using dovetail joinery and side support slats. Iron bands in the back were used to add strength t...