An antique Japanese Omise Tansu (merchant storage chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Consisting of 15 total drawers, it was used in a merchant store setting to organize and keep inventory available for sale. The upper counter was used for the display of wares and the wrapping of sold items. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 69 5/8" Wide by 26 3/4" High by 15 7/8" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute handles and the full moon lock plates. Upper section has 2 sliding doors with spacious storage behind and two side by side drawers below...

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu (Kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Original hand cast bronze hardware including the Warabite style handles. Top section has two sliding doors behind which lies a half split level shelf with three side by side drawers below. The center section features 3 drawers and the bottom section has 2 larger drawers for spacious clothes storage...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles which mimics the angular square lock plates of the drawers. The six drawers of varying sizes allows for functional organizing and spacious storage. Side handles allow one to carry the tansu from room to room.

Age: Early Meiji Period (1870-1880)

Dimensions: 26" Wide by 22 1/2" High by 13" Deep

An antique Japanese Nagoya Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Made in 2 sections, the upper portion has two sets of sliding doors with spacious storage while the bottom section has 9 drawers, a pair of sliding doors and a pair of hinged doors that provided storage and organizing of daily Japanese culinary tools, gadgets and utensils...

Extra large Japanese Edo to Meiji period single section kaidan (step) tansu with six steps, three storage compartments of various sizes with sliding doors, and three fitted drawers. Original iron handcrafted hardware and dovetail construction. 19th century. 71 1/2” high x 68 1/2” wide x 35 1/2” deep. Very solid overall condition. There are typical signs of natural wear from use. The wood has some shrinkage and cracks from the Arizona dry climate...

An antique Japanese Choba Display Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Two sliding glass doors were used to showcase the store owner's wares with two drawers below for safe keeping the inventory. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Gunbai style handles. Drawer corners feature the raised tealeaf design suggesting this chest originated in the Yonezawa region of Japan...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and Sakata lock plates. 5 drawers provide generous storage and organization. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 22 1/2" Wide by 23" High by 11 3/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and full moon lock plates. 6 drawers of varying sizes allow for generous storage. Sliding doors open to a split level compartment where merchant business books and records were kept. Hinged security door to the lower right hides two additional small drawers where store valuables were kept...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware and Oxblood red Urushi lacquer finish. Drawer lock plates have an unusual stylized insect-like incised design with fine stimple work accents and handles in the Warabite style. True dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails were used in the making of this chest.

Age: Late Meiji (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 35 1/4" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 16 5/8" Deep

A rare antique Japanese merchant chest (Choba Tansu). All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and the full moon lock plates. Entire exterior of the tansu is Keyaki (Zelkova) with drawer backs made of Kiri (Paulownia) woods. 16 total drawers for merchant storage of valuables. Each side has two sets of handles, one for long distance carrying and one for room placement...

An antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu (ship captain's safe) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. Large security door lifts out to reveal two large drawers where ship valuables were stored and kept safe from pirates and thieves. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Mokko style handles and the Pine and Bamboo incised lock plate.

An antique Japanese Tansu chest made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles with natural age acquired patina. The handles have unusual embossed designs of a crescent moon, a plum blossom and a Bugaku pattern. Drawer lock plates feature the full moon pattern and each section has side carrying handles...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware and Oxblood red Urushi lacquer finish. Drawer lock plates have an unusual stylized insect-like incised design with fine stimple work accents and handles in the Warabite style. True dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails were used in the making of this chest.

Age: Late Meiji (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 35 1/4" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 16 5/8" Deep

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Upper section has two sliding doors behind which is a 1/2 split level shelf with 3 side by side drawers below. Center and bottom sections each have 2 large drawers for abundant clothes storage. All original bronze and iron hardware with an acquired original patina.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 35 3/4" Wide by 55 3/4" High by 15 3/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Opposing hinged doors with the right side securing 2 drawers and the left side hiding 2 removable trays and a drawer. The balance of the chest has 9 drawers of varying sizes to storage and organization. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails...

A Very rare example of an antique Japanese Kuruma Tansu (wheeled chest) made of Keyaki burl (Zelkova), Kuri burl (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original iron hardware and translucent Urushi lacquer finish. Sliding doors hides a large storage space with a small drawer tucked away. Below are three side by side drawers for additional storage. Side slats provided strength and durability to the chest during moves while providing a Japanese visual design element. Constructed using th...

Antique Japanese Tansu Chest Nambu Kimono Chestnut Meiji An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu (chest of drawers) from the Nambu region made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand made iron fittings including the three dimensional style lock plates and top drawer handle backplates of which Nambu is known for having created. The handles are of the Warabite style and the lock plates feature floral designs. The security door at the bottom right features good ...