Unusual Japanese hardwood low shop desk tansu. Original red lacquer finish with heavy iron plates and mounts. The table surface is hinged with three doors that open to interior compartments for papers and other merchant's effects. The middle door has a lady's portrait with calligraphy inscriptions detailing the piece is from a merchant business in "Ume-yashiki, Tokyo" with the merchant name "Shimbashi Kotatsu" and dated 25th year Meiji 1893...

An antique Meiji Period two sectional tansu made from kiri wood with iron hardware. The top section has two large drawers. The bottom section has two medium size drawers and on the right side a door with lock. Behind the door are two smaller drawers. And below one small drawer.

It originates from the Yamagata tansu district of Japan in the Tohoku northern Japan region.

Date: Meiji (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 38"tall X 48"long X 18"deep

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Hand made iron fittings with hardened wood nail and straight dovetail joinery construction. Opening the hinged door reveals two small storage drawers behind. Original age patina.

This chest was originally used in a Japanese home to store letters, documents, stationary and small keepsakes. In a contemporary home it functions well as a beside stand or a side table...

An antique Japanese Kiri Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Using hand made iron fitting and Kakute style handle pulls. Construction includes straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails. Two drawers behind the small hinged Kobiraki door.

A secret box can be found hidden behind the bottom small drawer in back of the hinged door...

A rare antique Japanese Niigata Kiri Children's Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. It features a stylized Chrysanthemum design on each plate which represents the Mon or family crest of the original owner and Gumbai handles. The iron fittings were all hand made and the chest was constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

These children's chests are not often seen in Japan...

An antique 2 section tall Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Beautiful original finish of fine Shunkei-Nuri (lacquer) in front and a wiped lacquer technique on the top and sides. In addition, the handmade iron hardware is original with Warabite handles. Top section has two sliding doors with 5 drawers below...

Antique Japanese 2-section mizuya tansu (chest on chest for kitchen storage) from the Kyoto area. Made with hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood frame and sugi (cryptomeria) wood interior. The top section has two compartments; the upper most with four sliding panels of beautiful burl wood; below this is a compartment for food storage with sliders made of pierced carved hinoki wood and wire mesh for ventilation...

An antique Japanese 2 section Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Constructed using mortise and tenon Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. Original hand made iron hardware with Hirute handles. Side ribs accentuate the exterior design and add strength and durability for years of lasting enjoyment...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress), Kaki (Persimmon) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware with burled Keyaki door panels and drawer fronts. Unique and natural thunder bolt-like grain pattern on the Hinoki wood frame. Side horizontal supports add strength and aesthetic beauty to the tansu...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made from Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with full moon lock plates and curved Kakute handles. Side carrying handles features the rare locking pins used to connect the two sections together. Beautiful Japanese straight dovetail joinery is a testament to the expert craftsmanship used in making this chest...

Antique Japanese Kyushu Choba Tansu (merchant chest made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with a combination of slider and drawer layout...

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

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. Full width top drawer over a compartment with sliding panels and one interior shelf. Two medium sized drawer on the bottom left. On the right hand side of the chest are 3 small drawers over a safebox. The safe door opens to reveal two small interior drawers. Hardware is made of iron and includes rounded lock plates, warabite shaped drawers pulls, corner bracing and two keys.

Age: Meiji Period (186...

An antique Japanese single section Todana Tansu (display chest) made of HInoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Features 4 sliding doors to upper storage area and 2 sliding doors to main display area. Replaced glass panels offer a view of the items on display. Side slats provide strength, support and visual design.

Age: Meiji period: 1890-1900)

Dimensions: 53 3/4" Wide by 34 1/4" High by 19 1/2" Deep

An antique Todana Tansu (storage chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the decorative sliding door pulls. A Keyaki (Zelkova) freeze borders the base with a hand carved rope design. Side slats for strength and support on each side. Trapezoid Keyaki door runners to prevent wear to doors when slid. 3 side by side drawers below the doors.

Age: Meiji Era: (1880-1900)

Dimensions: 53 1/2" Wide by 36 3/4 High by ...

An antique Japanese Sendai Tansu (kimono chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original natural Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Mokko handles. A vine arabesque design surrounds the family crest on each of the lock plates.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 47" Wide by 33 3/4" High by 17" Deep

An antique Japanese Niigata 2 section Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) with hand made iron fittings. The lock plates feature the Sho Chiku Bai motif (Pine, Bamboo, Plum Blossom known as the 3 felicitous friends of winter) with the longevity symbols of the turtles and crane. Each drawer has Kakute handle pulls and the hinged door hides 3 small drawers.

The front of the chest is made of natural Kirinoki while the tansu body was designed using a dark red wiped lacquer technique. Cons...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Mokko handles. Beautiful Japanese joinery including straight dovetail joints reinforced with hardened wood nails. Hinged door (often called the Theive's door) behind which lies two small drawers that held valuables. A secret box lies behind the bottom small drawer where extreme valuables were kept.

Age: Mid Meiji Era (1880-1890)