Japanese single section isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Iwayado area. It is made with keyaki (elm) wood on the front and has a beautiful all original translucent lacquer finish. This chest consists of four drawers of different sizes. Elaborate iron hardware includes a very large phoenix shaped lock plate on the top drawer and two peony shaped lock plates on two of the other drawers. Drawer pulls are warabite shaped...

Unusual Antique Japanese two section (imho) clothing tansu with a kiri wood front and beautiful lacquered top, sides, and back. Each drawer has a round iron lockplate with the image of a crane. Nice small size for a two section tansu. Original finish. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). Size: 37" H x 35" L x 16" W

Antique Japanese chose tansu also known as a merchant chest. Made with solid kiri (paulownia) wood. Every drawer has decorative locks and iron hirute shaped handles. Two sliding opens open to reveal a roomy storage compartment. Bottom safe box has three small doors within. Meiji period (1868-1912) Size: 31" H x 31" W x 16" D

Antique Japanese two-section tansu in gorgeous original Keyaki (hardwood) with original lacquer finish, with red lacquer top and sides. Iron hardware of a rosy tone adorns each corner and drawer front, such as kakute (squared) shape handles and fleur de lis style locks. Side safe box holds two small drawers within for small treasures. The tansu sits on a custom stand. Key is included. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 37" H x 33.5" W x 17" D

Beautiful Antique Japanese koruri dans also known as an apothecary tansu. Made from kiri and sugi wood, with one hundred and two small drawers! Each inscribed with the name of a herb/medicine that was to be stored in slotted compartments. There are two thin drawers at its center bottom with flower shaped handle backs and two larger drawers at either side. Each drawer has a round black iron handles.

Early Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 33" height, 33" length, 7.25" depth

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant chest) made with dramatic Keyaki (elm) wood in original lacquer finish. Features sliding doors with vertical slats with a long, single drawer above and two drawers below with lock bar, corner safebox, two plain drawers at the very bottom. Wonderful original condition. Very high quality choba tansu. Original key is included. Edo period (1615-1868) circa 1850s. Size: 39" H x 29.5" W x 17" D

Rare Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant chest) from the Takayama region. Beautiful solid Keyaki (elm) wood with kayaki burl front sliding panels. Unusual design of drawers and locking bar. Excellent Original translucent lacquer finish. Late Edo Period (circa 1800's). Size: 32" H x 31.5" L x 15" D

Antique Japanese nagamochi karuma storage trunk. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood and solid Keyaki hardwood wheels with iron hardware and mounts. A large high relief embossed iron locking plate in the form of a phoenix created a lock and latch system on the front of the trunk. The phoenix bird represents justice and Sun obedience...

Japanese Keyaki (zelkova) choba tansu (merchant chest) with complete original lacquer finish. Quartered sawn keyaki hardwood relieving the distinctive woodgrain seen on all sides. Solid Keyaki hardwood used in every part of construction. Adorned in heavy iron hardware and original locking bar. Excellent original condition. Working keys are included. This is a top example of a Edo period Japanese Choba Tansu...

Rare Japanese Funa Tansu (captain's ship chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood in original medium brown finish. The upper portion has a large front drawer with kakute (squared) iron handles and decorative iron plating, lined in attractive silver rice paper. The bottom portion is very unusual because the right door opens on a hinge while the left door slides on a track revealing four small drawers also lined in silver rice paper...

Beautiful Japanese antique 2-section Keyaki isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing). Wonderfully dramatic kayaki (zelkova) grain on front. Enhanced by the Original finish in translucent lacquer. Black iron hardware including warabite shaped drawer pulls, safe box in lower right hand corner with 2 small interior drawers. Round iron lock plates with mixed metal raised motif of implements of the Lucky Gods. Original condition and finish. Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) ...

Gorgeous Japanese two section Yonezawa region tansu, beautiful dramatic woodgrain highlighted by the original lacquer finish. Dramatic Keyaki Hardwood. Stunning cherry blossom crest lock plates and mock (melon style) handles. The top right section has a smaller drawer and locking door with two small drawers hidden away inside. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 39" H x 44.25" L x 17.75" D

New Arrival

Antique Japanese two section mizuya (kitchen tansu), made with Hinoki (cypress) frame and Sugi (cryptomeria) sides with slats. The front features Persimmon wood panels with dramatic natural grain on its drawers. Other charming detailing includes mesh sliding doors with wood panels carved in floral motifs and decorative handles. Very attractive in design and functional for storage. Dates from the Meiji period c1900. Size:37" L x 16.25" W x 64.75" H

Pvt. Zentner Family Collection

Rare Japanese antique choba tansu made of keyaki (elm) wood. The top portion has a compartment with sliding panels and horizontal slats. The bottom portion of the chest has two safe boxes with heavy iron hardware, one opening to the left and one opening to the right. Inside each safe box is a series of four small kiri (paulownia) wood drawers. Between the safes are two keyaki drawers with heavy iron lock plates...

Antique Japanese Gyosho Bako (merchant's chest) made with Kiri (paulownia) wood in all original finish. Each side has original iron rings for straps to feed through to Create a Backpack.
Originally used as an backpack to carry from one town to the next. Merchant selling his objects or services that he contained within this piece. The front has two hinged locking doors with several drawers hidden within. Beautiful original finish and condition...

New Shipment

Antique Japanese Kiri wood (Paulownia) tansu. Original natural kiri wood finish. Medium weight black iron hardware with warabite handles and round locks on each drawer. Wonderful condition.
Meiji age (1868-1912)

Size: 25" L x 13" W x 22.5" H

New Shipment

Unusual Japanese two-section tansu, with gorgeous Keyaki (elm) burl front, and Sugi (cedar) sides, with original lacquer finish. The design is highly unusual with three sets of sliding doors, one with glass panels, various size drawers and a lift-away panel with a charming natural burl handle. Meiji age (1868-1912)

Size: 40.5" L x 19.5" W x 61.5" H

Stunning Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) from the Matsumoto Area in Japan. Adorned with a red lacquer Keyaki hardwood frame, along with Keyaki (elm) front panels of a golden honey original finish. Highly functional design with many drawers of various sizes, including an unusual long shallow one below a set of sliding door panels with a shelved interior.

Great original condition with fine details. Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 34" L x 14.5" W x 36.5" H