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 ...

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 Choba Kotansu (merchant small chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Removable hinge doors behind which hides a removable horizontal bar that securely latches the left door in place. Spacious storage behind the doors where the merchant kept his store books and records. Two upper drawers were used to keep money and valuables. Beautiful original calligraphy on the sides and back of the tansu...

An antique Japanese single section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. 2 sliding doors designed with individually cut vertical slats (as opposed to a solid board carved to look like slats). Side horizontal ribs add visual strength and structural support to the chest...

A Keyaki (Zelkova) root burl bonsai stand with twisty gnarly roots supporting a flat surface. Beautiful original patina.

Age: Mid Century (1950-1960's)

Dimensions: 14 1/2" Wide by 13" High by 12 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kansai merchant display store tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery with horizontal side ribs for strength and support. Most likely used for the display of large tall items, a customized shelf could be added for an additional charge.

Age: Meiji Period (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 74 1/2" Wide by 33 1/8" High by 18 1/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Mikuni Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Aka Matsu (Red Pine), Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and full moon lock plates). Through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery and side ribs for strength and support. Lift-up side handles allow through a wood pole letting two persons carry the tansu from store to store...

An antique Japanese Kimono tansu made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. Original natural Urushi lacquer finish in a 6 drawer configuration. Hand forged iron hardware with deep Warabite handles and full moon lock plates. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails...

An antique Japanese Urushi lacquer Kimono tansu made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. 6 drawer configuration with bottom two drawers used for Kimono fashion accessory storage. Drawer lock plates feature Paulownia design family crest (Mon). Straight dovetail joinery with hardened wood nail construction...

An antique Japanese Gifu Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest from the Gifu region of Japan) made of Hinoki (Cypress), Burled Keyaki (Zelkova), Kaki (Persimmon) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hardware including the full moon designed drawer pulls and sliding door handles...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hardware including bronze sliding door handles and hand forged iron drawer pulls. The full moon theme follows the round upper sliding door handles and the drawer pulls. There are five horizontal and five vertical drawers for organizing storage with spacious storage behind the sliding doors...

An antique Japanese Cha Kobako (tea storage and serving box) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Upper open shelf for serving dish storage. Lift-out door behind which tea, teapot and teacups were stored for serving guests. Bottom drawer was used to store serving accoutrements. Lucky carved Pine motif representing longevity on either side of the chest.

Age: Meiji/Taisho (1900-1920)

Dimensions: 14 3/8" Wide by 12 5/8" High by 12" Deep

An antique Japanese merchant money storage box made entirely of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. Single drawer with hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handle. Used by a merchant to keep coins, IOU's, and yen currency for daily business use. Original iron corner reinforcements adds strength and durability to this box.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 13 1/2" Wide by 7 3/8" High by 15 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu similar to the western sideboard cabinet or chest made of Momiji (Maple) for the drawer fronts and frame and Keyaki (Zelkova) panels for the sliding doors. with the interior made of Japanese Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. Original hand made iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Floating panels for the front, sides and top to prevent the wood from cracks from expansion and shrinkage...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Aka Matsu (Red Pine) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original wiped Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware. 3 drawers with 2 sliding doors that hide a spacious storage area behind. Horizontal ribs on the doors and side of the tansu for strength and visual design. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery showing the fine craftsmanship used in making this piece.

Age: Meiji Era (...

An antique Japanese rare Kannon Biraki tansu (bridal chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original natural Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the possible Mikumo family crest on the center locks. Double hinged doors behind which the upper section has 3 full width drawers and the bottom section has numerous smaller drawers with a lift out door hiding two additional drawers. An ingenious trick locking mechanism locks those two drawers from opening unless on...

A vintage Japanese style Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Two large full width drawer with two small drawers and sliding doors behind which is a spacious storage area. Horizontal side ribs add visual design and strength to the chest.

Contemporary function would include using it as a sideboard, a cocktail cabinet or an elegant side table.

Age: Latter 20th Century

Dimensions: 40" Wide by 37 3/4" High by 18 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Mingei folding ladder made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Used by a landscaper or gardener for pruning Bonsai trees, large shrubs, or fruit trees. All through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery for strength and durability. Folds flat for easy storage. Timeless architectural design reminiscent of Kyomizu Temple in Kyoto.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho Era (1910-1920)

Dimensions (Opened): 21 1/2" Wide by 34 5/8" High by 24 1/2" Deep