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...

Japanese two section mizuya (kitchen tansu for storage). Constructed of Hinoki (cypress) wood frame with Sugi (cedar) wood, original dark finish. The top section holds a compartment behind pair of sliding panels with Keyaki (zelkova) wood details, open work carving and wire for ventilation. Next to this is a larger compartment with sliding panels with vertical iron studded slats and Keyaki hardwood insert...

Antique Japanese isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing), made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. The top section has two large drawers while the bottom section has two large drawers with two small drawers in the lower right hand corner. The drawers, which are made entirely of kiri wood, have two hand holds cut into the interior sides for carrying. Hardware is made of blackened iron with round lock plates, corner and side bracing...

An antique Japanese two section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing) made of kiri (paulownia) wood. The top and bottom section has two large drawers. Hardware is made of iron and includes round lock plates and square drawer pulls.

Date: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 44" tall X 34.5" long X 16.5" wide

An antique small tansu of kiri wood from the Taisho period. Sliding doors behind which books and small objects were stored. Lower drawers were used to store documents, photos, ephemera, receipts, etc.

Original bronze hardware...

An antique Japanese two sectional Tansu of kiri wood (paulownia) with four large drawers used for clothing. The original iron hardware has four locks. The drawers have warabite curved handles.

Date: Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 40" tall X 37" wide X 16.5" deep

Antique Japanese mizuya (kitchen tansu) in two sections. The frame is made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with a very smooth grain. Sliding panels and drawer fronts are made of keyaki (elm) wood with dramatic grain. The top section has a large compartment that runs the width of the chest and is covered by 4 sliding panels with keyaki burl wood. The next compartment down is larger and is covered by 2 large sliding panels with decorative cut outs backed with keyaki wood...

Antique Japanese low table made all of carved keyaki (elm) wood. The top is made of a single piece of dramatically grained wood with the edges carved to create a gnarled burl effect. The legs are also made of solid keyaki wood and carved with rounded feet. Original deep orangish red translucent lacquer finish.

Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 13 1/2" high x 71 1/2" long x 38" wide

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu known as a personal storage chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original reddish bronze fittings using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails in its construction. The two sliding doors hides a split level shelf with additional storage.

Originally used to store letters, books, documents, writing instruments, and other personal family effects...

An antique Japanese 2 section Isho Biraki Tansu (Kimono Chest with hinged doors) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. The two doors open to a spacious storage area that houses 2 removable shelves with compartment separators. The bronze and iron fittings are original to the chest. Each section has recessed side handles. The ones on the lower section protrude slightly at act as a locking system when connected to the upper half...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant's chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The sides of the chest feature horizontal cross ribs for added strength and durability. Constructed using mortise & tenon, through mortise & tenon, and double through mortise & tenon joinery. Use of hardened wood nails...

A low Japanese Negoro incense table with many layers of black, red, and translucent lacquer pigment. Naturally worn finish consistent with age an use. European style hand carved leg and foot. Original hardware of hand forged iron. Traditionally used as a low stand to raise up an incensor.

Edo Period 18th Century

13 1/2" long X 11" wide X 6 3/4" high

A rare antique Japanese optometrist roll top tansu complete with lenses and glasses. Original navy corduroy covered pull-out shelf with two side by side storage drawers. The display case of lenses double as a removable tray for portable transport from room to room or place to place. Made of Tochinoki (Horse Chestnut) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods...

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu made from solid Keyaki (Zelkova) & Keyaki Burl woods with a Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood drawer back. Removable trick shelves behind the sliding side by side doors...

A rare antique Japanese Cha Tansu (tea chest) made of Kuwanoki (Mulberry) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. The tansu was made using solid Kuwanoki burl wood in front and solid Kuwanoki wood on the case and back. The sliding doors open to a spacious storage area while the lift-out door opens to a split shelf area for book storage. Two drawers feature lock plates in the form of stylized Cherry Blossoms.

There are secret locking tabs that lock the left and right drawer of the set of three u...

This is an antique Japanese 3 section Isho Biraki Tansu (kimono storage chest with hinged doors) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Top section has a split level shelf behind the sliding doors with three small side by side drawers below the doors. Three removable kimono storage shelves hide behind the hinged doors on the center section while the bottom section has large spacious drawers. There are inset exposed side handles on the bottom and center sections that se...

An antique Japanese Ranma (transom) that was highly detailed and hand carved out of Akita Suginoki (Cryptomeria from the Akita region) with a Hinoki (Cypress) frame. It features a landscaped Shinto shrine grounds complete with the shrine complex, pine trees, clouds, a Torii gate, a Pagoda, and a beautiful footbridge. The image is carved on both sides to show the front and back of the complex.

The Ranma was used in Japan typically above the Fusuma sliding doors between rooms to provide...

A two section antique Japanese Isho Biraki Tansu (stacked clothes chest with hinged doors) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original bronze hardware and a center Kuwanoki (Mulberry) wood door decorative overlap. Very well constructed with thick wood, straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. The doors open to four removable kimono trays.

Originally used for kimono and clothes storage, the classic design works well in any home decor. It functions as a clothes dres...