Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest of drawers) from the Kyoto region. The chest has an open shelved compartment, with a money slot on the bottom shelf that drops into the drawer below. With black iron Warabite style handles on each drawer, 3 of which also have squared lock plates with Chrysanthemum studs...

An unusual Japanese 2 section, 6ft mizuya (kitchen buffet tansu) from the Kanazawa region. Constructed with Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) woods, with red and black lacquer frame, and Keyaki (elm) burl front panels in reddish brown lacquer. The top of the piece holds a long open compartment behind four sliding panels with bookmatched Keyaki burl hardwood. Below are a center pair of mesh sliding panels with black lacquer wood frame, carved with floral motifs and with decorative iron pulls...

Antique Japanese trunk with a deep red toned wood , iron handles on its sides, one large and one small drawer at its bottom with iron lockplates, and a large pierced iron lockplate on the lid, very roomy inside. Edo age (1615-1867) SIze: 25" height, 33.25" width, 16.25" depth

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)...

A magnificent stand of root wood writhing upward to a flattened cluster, a perfect example of the Japanese esteem for things natural enclosed in a period custom made wooden storage box. It is 48 cm (19 inches) tall and in overall excellent condition. Perfect for elevating a koro incense burner or tiny bonsai...

An antique Ryobiraki Choba Tansu (merchant chest with double doors) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Behind the doors are 7 drawers with 2 shelves for merchant books and records. The bottom shelf has a coin slot where coins were dropped into the drawer below. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails...

An antique Japanese Ryo Biraki Tansu made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the natural Urushi lacquer. The two hinged doors hide 6 drawers of varying sizes. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36 1/2 Wide by 21 1/4" High by 17" Deep.

Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (merchant's ship safe), made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood, heavy iron hardware including raised Chrysanthemum buds in corners and on hinges, large iron Chrysanthemum locks, sliding panel opens to 2 interior drawers, hinged door opens to 3 interior drawers, comes with 2 keys.

Mid Edo Period

Dimensions: 19" high x 21 1/4" wide x 17" deep.

Beautiful antique Japanese single-section tansu from Sado Island, its front frame entirely covered by iron work. It has two large main drawers with large rectangular lockplates, the top incised with a crane and the bottom with the image of two turtles, referencing the old saying Tsuru Sen-nen, Kame Man-nen (as the crane lives one thousand years, the tortoise ten thousand years) to represent longevity...

An antique Japanese Sado Island Kasane Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware (including Warabite handles) and wiped Urushi lacquer finish. The metalsmith showcased his talent adding Chrysanthemum corners to each drawer front and Mum backplates to each handle. As if that were not enough, the tansu maker added iron plating to the front frame showcasing the individual drawers...

Antique Japanese tansu from the Sado Island area, with extensive hand-forged iron hardware plating incised with dedicative Seven Lucky Gods motifs. The 2 section Isho tansu has an all Kiri wood exterior with Sugi sides and top exterior. The chest is composed of 7 drawers in an unusual configuration, with 2 keys. The safe box holds 3 internal drawers its door, above which are two unusual small drawers for seals, coins, and other keepsakes...

Antique Japanese ship safe box, or funebako, made with Kiri and Sugi wood in original deep lacquer finish. Its sides and front door have kakute style handles, with simplistic iron bracing on its front door. Original working key is included. Five drawers are sealed away within for safe storage of valuables.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size: 16" H x 15.5" W x 15.75" D

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

An antique Japanese Sakata Bo Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original natural Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware. Locking bar secures three Kimono drawers. The main lock features a stylized Chrysanthemum with leaves design. A hinged security door hides two small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and wooden nails...

An antique Japanese Sakata Bo Tansu also known as a locking bar chest made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original finish using a wiped lacquer technique. The bottom drawer lock plate features a Chrysanthemum blossom motif surrounded by outstretched Chrysanthemum leaves.

There are two small drawers hidden behind the hinged door. Working key unlocks the locking bar...

Antique Japanese Sakata region choba tansu (merchant's chest) made of Kiri (paulownia) hardwood, with original red lacquer finish. The top drawer and safe box door are covered in more elaborate iron hardware than the other drawers, with motifs of lingzhi mushrooms, bamboo stalks, and other floral elements. Two small drawers are hidden away inside the safe box. Three plain drawers are on the lefthand side, the middle drawer has a center divider inside. Two smaller drawers sit between the top and...

Antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu (safe chest), made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with reddish orange translucent Urushi lacquer finish, single locking panel can be removed to reveal 5 interior drawers of different sizes, iron hardware including bamboo shaped exterior lock and Chrysanthemum shaped interior lock, bronze interior drawer pulls, Sakata area, late Edo Period (c. 1850). Size: 13" high x 21 1/2" wide x 14 1/4" deep.