A beautiful antique Japanese Sendai Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware including the Mokko handles. The lock plates feature a center design of the original owner's family crest with scrolling Peony buds that represents wealth and prosperity. The security door hides three smaller drawers that was used to keep valuables and important documents. Beautiful natural wood grain throughout...

Rare antique Japanese large kuruma tansu, wheeled storage chest. Made with keyaki (elm) wood on the front. The sides and back are reinforced with hinoki (Japanese cypress) slats. The upper portion of the chest has three full-width drawers held shut with a locking bar (bo). The lower portion has two medium sized drawers also held shut with another locking bar. On the lower right hand side is a safe box with a hinged door (with key) which opens to reveal 3 small interior drawers...

The cabinet is solidly constructed with planks of resinous wood probably Hinoki (a variety of cypress), it is reinforced with artistically forged and cut fittings in the purest Japanese spirit, it has 3 locks which is exceptional, the main side with key, that of the upper part of the door also with key and secret sliding system and that of the lower part simply with secret system. This type of chest was used, it is said, by ship captains...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant store chest) made of Kuwa (old Mulberry) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original hand made iron fittings and finish. Two center hinged doors are removable with the hook and loop style hinge design. Front Warabite handles with two carrying handles on each side for positioning the chest and the additional swivel handles used with a wood pole to carry the chest from place to place...

Stunning Antique Japanese 2 section choba tansu. Hand crafted from solid Beautiful keyaki wood. Finely detailed forged iron work including round lock plates and hirute shaped drawer pulls. Includes locking safe box with 2 small interior drawers that are also made of keyaki. Piece retains its original translucent red-orange lacquer finish that glows in the light.

late Edo/early Meiji Period C. 1860's

Size: 63 1/2" high x 35 1/2" wide x 16" deep.

Unusual Japanese single section isho tansu from the Sendai region, made of solid Keyaki (zelkova) hardwood with burl front panels. The iron hardware and mounts have floral motifs throughout. The corner plates have scalloped edges, the drawer pulls are mokko (melon) shaped with chrysanthemums mounts, the round lock plates are incised with Kiri leaf mon and two are outlined with scrolling vine motifs. The safe door opens to reveal three inner drawers for small valuables...

Antique Japanese kuruma tansu (wheeled storage chest) from the Northern Sendai area closer to Iwayado. The front of the chest is made with keyaki (zelkova elm) wood with lovely grain and original red-orange translucent lacquer finish. The frame is made of sugi (cryptomeria). The large, raised iron lock plate on the top drawer depicts a pair of cranes flying in clouds. The middle two drawers are held in place with a locking bar (bo) with pine tree shaped ironwork...

A rare example of an early 1920's antique Japanese barber chair. The chair is made from hand forged iron with solid elm wood framing. Seat, arm rests, and head rest are wrapped in the original black leather. The position of the seat is adjustable to recline. Headrest is adjustable to many lengths.

Date: 1920's

Dimensions:50" high X 42" deep X 24" wide

Antique Japanese choba tansu from the Matsumoto area. Made of keyaki (elm) wood with dramatic grain. The top portion of the tansu has two drawers. Below this is a compartment on the left opened by two sliding panels with horizontal slats. On the right hand side of the chest and continuing on to the bottom portion of the tansu, is a series of various sized drawers, the lowest of which spans the width of the tansu...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (Merchant Chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Handmade iron fittings featuring the raised tea leaf design on the front corners of each drawer. Sliding doors with locking bar covering a book and business document storage area with shel while the hinged door covers 2 small drawers...

A rare an high quality Japanese Matsumoto Choba Tansu (merchant chest from the Matsumoto region of Japan) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with full moon style lock plates and Warabite handles. Recessed side handles lift open to accommodate a wood pole through each handle allowing two persons to carry the tansu from place to place...

A rare antique Japanese Kasane (stacking chest on chest) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron hardware...

Japanese two section isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sado Island area. Original dark reddish lacquer finish. With hand-forged iron hardware, decorative plating incised with motifs of cranes and turtles with many tails, both symbols of longevity. The lower unit holds a corner safe box with two small drawers concealed inside.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41" L x 16" D x 41" H

Antique Japanese kura tansu (warehouse storage chest). Made of keyaki (elm) wood with iron hardware. The top portion has a large compartment covered by sliding panels with vertical slats. The bottom portion has another compartment covered by sliding panels with horizontal and vertical slats. Heavy wooden braces for strength on sides and back of chest.

Late Edo Period (1644 - 1868)

Dimensions: 35 1/2" high x 35 3/4" wide x 19 3/4"deep.

Incredible Japanese 2 section isho tansu (clothing chest) constructed of Keyaki (elm) wood, with natural Keyaki quartered sawn burl front drawers. With hand forged iron handles and plates. Stunning clear lacquer original finish, overall in very good condition.

Early Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35"L x 16 1/2" D x 50" Height

An antique Japanese Shibayama Cabinet in 2 sections used as a display Tansu. A center mirror is surrounded by beautiful ornamental hinged and sliding doors revealing a story of ancient Japan with a Nobleman and his servant, a Samurai warrior with his apprentice, a crane keeper letting his birds free, flowers and birds. Sliding and hinged doors open to spacious cabinets with drawers used for additional space. Fine filigree work depicting Chrysanthemums among an arabesque pattern.

Age: M...

Antique Japanese kaidan (step tansu). Made in two stacking sections and consisting of 7 steps with storage on one side. The top section has two drawers, a small compartment with a drop-in door on the very top and a compartment opened by sliding panels with vertical slats. The lower section has two drawers and a large compartment opened by sliding panels also with vertical slats. Made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with reddish lacquer finish on the front. The steps have a natural finish. Hardw...

Historically, fusuma were often painted with scenes from nature such as mountains, forests, or animals. The traditional scale of the door is 5'7". The Hinoki wood panels are painted with Rimpa paint and flecks of gold, creating a mist. The floral composition is with camellia, cherry blossom, hollyhock, and chrysanthemums.

The camellia flowers symbolize young sons and daughter. Tsubaki (camellia) symbolizes the divine, faithfulness and longevity. The next flower is the cherry blossom,...