Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Multiple drawers of 8 exposed and 4 hidden behind the lower sliding doors. The upper sliding doors hides a spacious storage area where the merchant kept his store records and books. All original hand forged iron hardware with construction using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails. Natural darkening surrounding the metalwork where the original patina had built-up...

A rare antique Japanese large Kannon Biraki Tansu made entirely of thick Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails, this specially commissioned tansu was custom designed and made for a bride's dowry. Its purpose was for storing the bride's wedding kimono and accoutrements after the ceremony ...

An antique Japanese low one section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Sakuranoki (Cherry) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Two sliding doors behind which is a spacious storage area with a full width split level shelf. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery...

An antique Japanese Zeni Bako (money safe) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Top cover is secured with an iron lock and serves a dual purpose. When closed, a slot is apparent for dropping coins into the box. When opened, the retrieval of the coins becomes convenient as well as keeping safe and storing paper money, IOUs, and financial bonds and certificates. A bottom drawer was often used to store writing paper, writing brushes and an inkstone...

An antique Japanese Kasane Kimono Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Hand forged iron hardware.

Originally used for the storage of Japanese Kimono, it functions well in today's home as a pair of nightstands, a daily dresser drawer or a beautiful accent piece in any room decor...

An antique Japanese Yonezawa Kasane Kimono Tansu (stacked chest on chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Beautiful Ume (Plum Blossom) motif on lock plates with a nickel rim. Four large drawers with a hinged door that hides two small drawers. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. Hand forged iron hardware with Mokko handles...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. It has a configuration of 9 drawers, a pair of Biraki-Do (hinged doors) hiding a center shelf and a thief's door behind which lies two more small drawers. Two side lift-up handles through which a bamboo pole would go allowing two persons to carry this tansu from place to place...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Momiji (Maple), Sakura (Cherry) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Made with hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. With 8 exterior drawers, 2 sliding doors behind which is a storage space with a removable shelf and a hinged door that hides 4 small drawers. constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery with hardened wooden nails. Pair of side handles to each side for ease of placement in a room...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (organizer storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulwonia) wood. Hand forged iron hardware with Warabite handles. 9 drawers used for organizing artist supplies, Japanese carpenter hardware or store supplies. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. A very utilitarian chest that would work well in any home decor.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 33 3/8" Wide by 13 5/8" High by 16 1/2" Deep

A rare antique Japanese Kyushu Choba Tansu (merchant chest from Kyushu island) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The frame of the chest was made using Suginoki wood measuring a very thick 1 1/ 8". Constructed with straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. It has 5 drawers and a pair of hinged doors that open to a spacious storage area with a split level shelf. All original hand forged iron hardware...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. With six drawers total this chest was used to store letters, ephemeral, and small personal goods. Side handles were used to move the tansu from room to room.

Contemporary function includes using this as a side table or a bedside nightstand.

Age: Meiji Era: (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 27 1/4" Wide by 21 1/4" H...

An antique Japanese Kanazawa Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. In 2 sections with sliding doors and drawers, the bottom doors open to a spacious storage area with a removable shelf. The upper left sliding door pair reveal a permanent split level shelf while the right side doors and the top doors open to more storage space. Original Urushi lacquer and hand forged Hirute handles complete this elegant tansu. It has an unusu...

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware. The lock plates feature the lucky Sho Chiku Bai (Pine Bamboo Plum blossom) motif with two stylized Chrysanthemum knobs. The handles are in the Warabite style with handle stoppers that are butterflies above and plum blossoms below. The safe door below hides two small drawers for the storage of valuables.<...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zekova) wood. The body and drawer fronts use this highly prized and rare wood while the drawer backs and interior were made using Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with beautiful lock plates that feature the lucky treasure bag (Fukubukuro), Mokko style handles and drawer corners with fine stimple work. The safe door hides two small drawers that were used for the storage of valuables. ...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Mokko handles. Seven drawers for organizing and storage with two sliding doors where store recordsn were kept and a safe door behind which two small drawers held merchant valuables. Am elegant chest that would also serve as a functional sideboard or storage cabinet.

Age: Meiji Period (circa 1880-1890)

Dimensions: 34 ...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware with Hirute handles. Four spacious drawers and a safe door that hides three small drawers for valuables. One small drawer has a secret false floor to hide precious smalls. Each side has 2 sets of carrying handles with one set used for long distance moves and a pair of hand held handles for placement in a room.

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An antique Japanese Chobako (small merchant chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Original and beautiful transparent Urushi lacquer finish showcases the underlying magnificent wood grain. Hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles on the 2 large drawers and the Hirute handle on the small security drawer. Minor sumi ink stains in the upper right drawer suggests that an inkstone and brushes were stored there for writing store records and receipts. Incl...

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware which includes the Warabite handles, the lock plates with auspicious symbols, and the pine and plum Atari handle back stops. The symbols on the locks feature the traveler's cape and hat, the lucky treasure bag and the lucky fortune mallet. The hinged security door hides two small drawers where valuables we...