An antique Japanese Gyosho Tansu (peddler's chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. The hinged door opens to 4 drawers where the merchant's wares were stored. The bottom drawer was used to keep documents, writing brushes, an inkstone and other business related accessories. Two iron rings on each side used with rope for carrying this chest on a peddler's back...

A rare antique Japanese optometrist roll top tansu complete with lenses and glasses. Original navy corduroy covered pull-out shelf with two side by side storage drawers. The display case of lenses double as a removable tray for portable transport from room to room or place to place. Made of Tochinoki (Horse Chestnut) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods...

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) from the Tohoku area, made of with Kiri (Paulownia) wood front and Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood frame. Five exterior drawers including an unusual wide and shallow drawer just beneath a compartment with sliding panels. The sliding panels have horizontal slats and frame made of Kurinoki (Chestnut wood). A small safe box on the right-hand side of the tansu has a hinged door which opens to reveal two small drawers on the inside. Lovely natural finish...

Antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest). Made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. This small tansu has 5 drawers; three in a vertical row over two smaller drawers side by side. The hardware was hand made all of iron and includes round lock plates on each drawer and Kakute handles. The drawers are additionally reinforced by corner foliate decorative hardware.

Age: Late Edo Period (circa early 1800's)

Dimensions: 22 1/2" high x 22 3/4" wide x 12 1/4" deep

An antique Japanese Matsumoto Kimono Isho Tansu made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand made iron hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and the fancy lock plates with hand pounded stippling work. Each side both have side hand carrying handle as well as swivel handles through which a wood pole can be fitted allowing two persons to carry the tansu from place to place. The hinged door hides two small drawers for storing valuables...

Funa dansu of the kakesuzuri-type, with a single hinged front door.
Behind the door, there are two full width drawers, one half-width small drawer and two mid-size ones with iron locks.
The exterior of the chest is made of keyaki (Zelkova) wood, which is unusual. Drawers made of the softer, kiri wood with iron hardware. Wrought iron handle on the top of the chest. Door, corners and edges fitted with sturdy and very decorative ironwork, ornamental lock...

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made with all kiri (paulownia) wood on the front and sugi (cryptomeria) wood on the sides and top. The tansu has a full-width drawer on the upper portion above a compartment with sliding panels on the left and two small drawers on the right. The lower portion of the chest has two medium sized drawers on the left and a safe box above a small drawer on the lower right...

Single section Mizuya (kitchen buffet tansu) with a pair of sliding panels opening to an open space with a single shelf inside. Set of 5 pull out drawers with beautifully finished quartered sawn keyaki drawers. Hand forged iron hardware. Natural blond finish with fine carpentry details. Overall in very good condition. Ready to go! Age: Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Dimensions: 71" long x 34 high x 20 1/4" deep

An antique Japanese Kyushu Kotansu (small personal chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original wiped Urushi lacquer housing with a contrasting natural wood front and hand forged iron hardware including the Gunbai handles. The hinged door serves a dual purpose of hiding two drawers behind as well as locking the secret trick vertical drawer separator from turning...

An antique Japanese Sendai Tansu that was made of Kurinoki (Chestnut) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The lock plates feature the family crest of a Chrysanthemum with the top plate designed with full bloom Mums on either side of the family crest. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and Urushi lacquer finish. The hinged door hides two small drawers where valuables were kept...

A vintage Japanese 2 section Kamo Kimono Tansu chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia). All original hardware with maker's name engraved into the main lock plate. Upper section features two large hinged doors behind which are 8 kimono trays for storing textiles. The lower section has 3 drawers for additional spacious storage...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant small chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods...

An antique Japanese Geta Bako (shoe chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Two large sliding doors hide a spacious area with 2 removable shelves. Used in an entry way of a Japanese country inn (Ryokan) to store guest wooden clogs and footwear before entering.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 53" Wide by 37 3/8" High by 15 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the double Plum Blossom handle stoppers called Atari. Upper section features 2 full width drawers and the bottom section has 1 full drawer, 1 partial width drawer, a hinged security door and two small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Typically very l...

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

An antique Japanese small Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with hardened wooden nail construction. Two sliding doors open to a spacious storage area where the merchant stored the books and records. Three drawers of varying sizes for additional storage.

Age: Meiji Period: 1880-1890)

Dimensions: 26 1/4" Wide by 23" High by 15" Deep

Japanese open shelved cha tea chest wih with sliding, hinged, and drawer compartments. 4 staggered for display and ease of tea ware. Fine silver scrolling vine detail quietly frames the pieced. Original condition and finish. Age First quarter of the 20th Century

Dimensions: 42" w x 48"h x 13 1/2" deep

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu is made of kiri with iron hardware. The tansu has an upper large drawer. Below the drawer there is a sliding panel with one interior shelf. On the right side is 3 small drawers. The bottom section has two medium sized drawers and on the right side a door with lock. Behind the door are two small drawers with locks.

Date: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 30" long X 15.5 " deep X 30.5" tall