This is a 2 section antique Japanese Kansai Mizuya (Kitchen) tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Both original hand forged iron hardware and rare copper hand twisted door netting.

This chest was made for the Japanese kitchen to store jars of water, chopsticks, utensils for cooking and dishes. Its elegant design would suit any home decor as well as add storage functionality.

Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 45 3/4" Wide by 64" High by 16" Deep

This is an antique Japanese 3 section Isho Kimono Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Each section interlocks by way of a dual carrying handle/locking bar connection. Constructed using Japanese straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. The top section features a shelf for additional storage while the center section has three Kimono trays behind the front doors with two large drawers for additional storage in the bottom section...

An antique Japanese 2 section Nihon Matsu Kasane (stacking) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original natural Urushi lacquer finish. Hand forged iron hardware with lock plates that feature a quarter moon with a butterfly and Chrysanthemum knobs, Warabite handles with upper Pine tree and lower Plum Blossom Atari, and side handles on both sections. Constructed using Japanese straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails...

An antique Japanese low Tansu with two full width Kimono storage drawers made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware with Warabite handles. Unique scalloped lock plates decorate the drawer fronts. Straight dovetail Japanese joinery with hardened wooden nail construction...

A rare antique Japanese Sado Island Kasane Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles, decorative lock plates and front of drawer corners. The two upper full width drawers have lock plates that each feature the lucky Phoenix bird while the two lower drawers 3/4 width drawers shows an auspicious crane above and a good luck sea turtle below both representing longevity...

An antique Japanese low Mizuya Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original iron handles on upper sliding doors. A pair of large sliding doors allows for spacious storage. Originally used in Japan as a kitchen chest for the storage of dry goods and cooking/serving ware, it would function well as a buffet or sideboard chest.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Era (1910-1920).

Dimensions: 47 3/4" Wide by 31" High by 14 5/8" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section store glass display Tansu made of Kurinoki (Chestnut frame) Kirinoki (Paulownia drawer fronts) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria for the balance of the chest) woods. Most glass panes are original showing their wavy characteristic when viewed at an angle. Original hand forged iron Hikute handles. Constructed using double and single through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery...

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 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...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original bronze Warabite style handles. Traditional design for elegant storage use in any room decor.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 72" Wide by 67 3/4" High by 19 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Niigata Kasane (chest on chest) Tansu made of all Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand forged iron hardware with a hand applied red lacquer finish. Kakute stye handles. Four large drawers with a small hinged door that hides 2 small drawers. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. Each section has two sets of carrying handles for ease of transport and placement...

An antique Japanese Kanazawa Mizuya Tansu in two sections made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Original Bengara Urushi lacquer finish and hand made bronze hardware including the stylized Mokko handles. Sliding doors all open to spacious storage areas with removable shelves as well as five organizing drawers.. A trick lift-up and out door hides an area for additional storage...

A rare antique Japanese Omikuji Tansu (temple fortune telling chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Original Urushi lacquer over a Bengara stain. Hand made and hand forged iron hardware...

A vintage Japanese style Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Two large full width drawer with two small drawers and sliding doors behind which is a spacious storage area. Horizontal side ribs add visual design and strength to the chest.

Contemporary function would include using it as a sideboard, a cocktail cabinet or an elegant side table.

Age: Latter 20th Century

Dimensions: 40" Wide by 37 3/4" High by 18 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese rare Kannon Biraki tansu (bridal chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original natural Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the possible Mikumo family crest on the center locks. Double hinged doors behind which the upper section has 3 full width drawers and the bottom section has numerous smaller drawers with a lift out door hiding two additional drawers. An ingenious trick locking mechanism locks those two drawers from opening unless on...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Aka Matsu (Red Pine) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original wiped Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware. 3 drawers with 2 sliding doors that hide a spacious storage area behind. Horizontal ribs on the doors and side of the tansu for strength and visual design. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery showing the fine craftsmanship used in making this piece.

Age: Meiji Era (...

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu similar to the western sideboard cabinet or chest made of Momiji (Maple) for the drawer fronts and frame and Keyaki (Zelkova) panels for the sliding doors. with the interior made of Japanese Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. Original hand made iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Floating panels for the front, sides and top to prevent the wood from cracks from expansion and shrinkage. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery for strength a...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hardware including bronze sliding door handles and hand forged iron drawer pulls. The full moon theme follows the round upper sliding door handles and the drawer pulls. There are five horizontal and five vertical drawers for organizing storage with spacious storage behind the sliding doors. Unusual shallow depth of 16 1/2" for a large Mizuya...