An antique Japanese 2 section Nihon Matsu Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Natural Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron fittings. Accented with butterfly and plum blossom Atari handle backstops. Lock plates feature the Sho Chiku Bai (three felicitous friends of winter) motif and two side by side Chrysanthemum flowers ...

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware which includes the Warabite handles, the lock plates with auspicious symbols, and the pine and plum Atari handle back stops. The symbols on the locks feature the traveler's cape and hat, the lucky treasure bag and the lucky fortune mallet...

Beautiful Japanese antique 2-section isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Nihonmatsu area of Japan, made with nice keyaki (elm) wood on drawer fronts, safe box in lower right hand corner opens to two small interior drawers, there is a key for the safe, lovely iron hardware includes large warabite shaped drawer pulls with separate small butterfly details, Meiji Period. Size: 45 3/4" x 43" wide x 17 3/4" deep.

Beautiful Japanese antique 2-section storage tansu made with all keyaki (elm) wood on the front, the top portion of the top section has a shrine compartment covered by 4 small glass sliding panels. The interior of the shrine compartment has two small compartments with double doors for displaying flat images with slatted drop in panels covering small compartments on either side...

Japanese antique cha tansu (tea chest), made with beautiful keyaki (elm) wood burl on panels, top 2 sliding panels are made of a lighter color hardwood burl, all panels are trimmed in persimmon wood. One drop in panel with an interesting walnut shaped pull. The chest has a total of 7 drawers of different sizes. Glass sliding panels cover a compartment with stepped shelves for display. Copper slider pulls have little dragons. Meiji Period...

Antique Japanese kiri (paulownia) choba tansu, or merchant's chest with a pair of sliding door panels and interior shelving. Six drawers of varying size all open with squared "kakute" handles and have round iron locks. A great piece with original finish. Size: 32.5" height, 31.25" width, 16.25" depth

Japanese antique one section tansu with gorgeous dark finish kiri front drawers, decorated with thick iron kakute (square) handles, round Iron lock plates, and incised corner hardware. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Original Finish, Beautiful Condition Size: 33.25" height, 22.75" width, 17" depth

Antique Japanese unusual kiri wood (paulownia) tansu with original honey finish, two front doors with decorative iron hardware incised with heart designs. The interior houses ten drawers of varying size opened by hirute style handles complimenting the gorgeous natural woodgrain. Custom iron stand included. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). Original finish and condition. Very useful storage. Size: 22.5" H (29" H on stand) 26.5" L x 16.75" D

Beautiful Japanese two section Keyaki Isho tansu. Original clear lacquer finish over the keyaki hardood. Stricking bold front hardwood panel. Each draw has a center round lock incised with various symbols such as pine trees, fans, and Daikokku's money bag and mallet. The bottom corner has a locking box with two small drawers inside. Key included. Meiji age (1868-1912) Size: 45" H x 38" L x 17.5" D

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made with Hinoki (cypress) wood. Tastefully designed with hirute style handles, and slats on its sides and front sliding panels, opening to reveal an open storage area and two drawers. Original honey tone finish. Meiji period (1868-1912) Size: 36" H x 36" L x 17.75" D

Pvt. Zentner family Collection

Antique Japanese two section Kiri (Paulownia) wood tansu in original medium brown finish. From the Niigata region. Attractive iron locks on each drawer with floral motifs, squared "kakute" style handles on pierced backplates. Pierced Iron corner hardware. Original Keys included.
Edo age circa 1850s
Size: 34.75" L x 16.75" W x 39.5" H

Unusual Japanese Kiri (paulownia) front tansu, with seven drawers for storage and organization. All original finish hardwood.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 18.5" L x 22.5" W x 33.75" H

Antique Japanese two-section gifu choba tansu (accountant's chest) made with Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) wood. The top section has two sliding doors with slats, and an open compartment inside with two drawers. The bottom section has an open storage compartment behind another pair of sliding doors, with five drawers and a lock safe.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 33" L x 14.25" W x 55" H

Antique Japanese tall cha tansu with an open shelf for the display of seasonal and personal decor. The 2 sets of Keyaki (Zelkova)) burl wood front sliding panels and the beautiful wood grained Akita Sugi (Cryptomeria from Akita prefecture) sliding panels below highlight this attractive chest with Hinoki (Cypress) wood making up the frame and balance.

Most likely custom built and commissioned by a wealthy family making this an unusual and unique chest...

Japanese antique single section mizuya (kitchen tansu for storage). Made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with original deep brown lacquer finish. The right hand side of the chest has a compartment covered by a pair of sliding panels with keyaki wood details, open work carving and wire for ventilation. The largest compartment is covered with sliding panels with keyaki details and vertical slats. The inside of each of these compartments has one shelf...

Japanese half section Mizuya (kitchen buffet tansu) with four Keyaki burl front panels opening to a wide, narrow open space along the top of the chest. Below this are two large openwork sliding door panels of geometric design, with a small door to the left opened by a hidden Persimmon wood latch. Six drawers with Keyaki burl faces are lined along the bottom of the chest, with brass warabite pulls.

Dimensions: 70 1/2" L x 18" D x 38 1/2" H

An antique Japanese Gifu Choba Tansu made of Hinoki and Sugi wood. Top section has two slat sliding doors with two small interior drawers. The bottom section has a pair of sliding doors , five drawers and a safe compartment.Excellent condition.

Date: Mid Meiji (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 35" wide X 17" deep X 62" tall (both sections top section is 24" tall & bottom section is 38"

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu also known as a merchant chest made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods,most likely from the Nigata area of Japan. Featuring a Ryo Biraki (hinged double door) design it has a split level shelf where documents and merchant books were stored. Gumpai style handles and hand made iron fittings decorate this chest.

Merchant chests such as these were primarily displayed in a prominent location in the store...