Japanese 2-section isho tansu (clothing chest of drawers), from the Kyoto area. The chest is made with Sugi (cypress) wood in the original glossy red lacquer finish a lacquering process know asiro-urushi (色漆), literally "color lacquer"and has 11 drawers with charming heart-shaped keyholes and black iron warabite pulls. The top section houses a large open compartment behind two Keyaki (elm) sliding panels in a dark finish, with black lacquer frames...

Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top drawer's iron lock plate is incised with the image of a flying crane and pine branches; The bottom drawer's lock is incised with an ancient turtle with many tails. This imagery represents good health and longevity. Key is included.

Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 32.75" L x 15.75" D x 20" H

Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top and bottom drawer are decorated by large iron lock plates, incised with a bamboo forest, blossoming cherry trees, and small flying birds. The corner hardware on the face of each drawer also show floral motifs.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33.75" L x 15.5" D x 18.75" H

Antique Japanese tansu from the Iwayado area. Made with Sugi (cypress) wood frame and dramatic Keyaki (elm) burl front panels, in original red/orange lacquer finish. The extensive iron plating is incised into flowers and Kiri leaves; The top drawer features a large flying Phoenix as its lock plate...

Antique Japanese 2-section kaidan tansu, or step/stair chest of drawers. Made of solid Keyaki (elm) hardwood, the bold woodgrain is well-complimented by the original deep red lacquer finish and heavy iron hardware. With original set of keys.
Exhibited at the Prestigious SF Fall Art and Antique show, 2017.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 55" L x 26 1/8" D x 80" H

Antique Japanese small Kiri (paulownia) wood bar tansu, with five front drawers opened by squared iron handles. Its three mid front drawers are kept secure by a locking bar with decorative iron plates. The side of the chest has a safe door, with pierced iron hardware. The safe door opens to reveal three more small drawers inside.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 23" L x 12" x 24" H

Antique Japanese small chest with drawers, called a dibukuro. Traditional Japanese homes hold a tea ceremony room with a tokonama, or a recessed closet/alcove in which pieces of artistic appeal would be displayed such as hanging scrolls, pottery, okimono and ikebana floral arrangements. The dibukuro would be seated on the floor of the tokonama. (shown in detail photos)...

Antique Japanese single section isho tansu (clothing chest of drawers). Made with Kiri (paulownia) and Sugi (cedar) woods with original finish. The chest holds 5 long drawers and 3 smaller side drawers, with hirute drawer pulls and rectangular iron locks.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 44.5" L x 16.75" D x 30.25" H

A rare and unusual Japanese cho bako ("cho" meaning small and "bako" meaning box). Made of Keyaki (elm) hardwood with its original lacquer finish. The upper region of the piece holds a pair of narrow sliding door panels, with a center locking pin to hold them securely shut, and vertical slats of branches...

Antique Japanese Buddhist abbot's oxbow arm folding chair. Made of red and gilt lacquer hardwood, with seat made of leather. The backrest has gilt lacquered panels with geometric motif carvings and pierced lingzhi carving, the reverse of the backrest marked with a triple mokko-mon (family crest). The edges of the chair are decorated in metal plating incised with motifs of chrysanthemums.

Edo Age 19th century Dimensions: 32" L x 20" D x 37" H

Antique Japanese 2-section isho tansu (clothing chest of drawers) made of Kiri (paulownia) wood, natural front drawers and red lacquer top and sides. The lockplates of every drawer are shaped as large open fans, and the corner hardware of each drawer are fan-shaped as well. The other hardware implements are decorative with pierced motifs.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33.5" L x 16.75" D x 40" H

Antique Japanese 2 section 3 ft. Mizuya (kitchen tansu) made with Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) wood, with Keyaki (elm) hardwood burl panels. The upper section holds two open compartments behind sliding door panels with chrysanthemum pulls, the lower pair also decorated by horizontal carved panels with floral carvings, and three small drawers below. The lower section is the largest compartment for storage with no shelving behind two large sliding doors with slats...

Antique Japanese 2-section choba tansu (merchant's chest) from the Matsumoto region. Made with Keyaki (elm/zelkova) dramatic burl hardwood front panels. The upper section features a pair of sliding panels, with an open shelved compartment inside over two small drawers. One drawer has a slot above it to deposit money inside. There is also a secret hidden compartment, holding a small treasure box with kanji inscription. This style of chest is quite rare...

Antique Japanese 2-section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing). Made with kiri (paulownia) wood. Original finish. Classic motifs include the round iron lock plates and warabite drawer pulls. The bottom corner of the piece holds two of the smallest drawers behind a safe door.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 38" L x 17.25" D x 40.75" H

Rare antique Japanese 2-Section Mizuya (kitchen tansu) made from Keyaki wood (elm). The top section contains 2 roomy e compartments behind sliding door panels with floral motif pulls and 3 drawers along the bottom. The lowermost section holds another compartment with sliding doors, 3 small and two larger drawers along the bottom. The sides of the piece are reinforced with horizontal panels.

Dates from the Meiji Period c 1900 Dimensions: 44" L x 17" D x 63" H

Antique Japanese single section tansu with locking bar. With Keyaki (elm/zelkova) hardwood front panels in original red lacquer finish and black lacquer frame. The top and bottom drawers feature a large iron lock plate in the form of a flying phoenix, while the middle drawers are secured by the vertical locking bar with original key. The bottom corner of the chest holds 2 small drawers behind a safe door...

Japanese tall armoire made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. This single section cabinet opens with two hinged cabinet doors. The interior has it's original metal rod for hanging clothes, a smaller metal rod on the right hand door and it's original small rectangular mirror. At the base is a single large drawer. Conservative design, with the only decoration being metal handles on the cabinet doors which are cut in a scrolling vine motif...

Antique Japanese tall box made from Kiri (paulownia), natural finish wood. With 5 front drawers slightly recessed into the box, opened by round "kan" pulls with lotus pod style backplates. The edges are protected and reinforced with iron plates.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 11.25" x 20" D x 24" H