A Japanese cloisonnè vase of unusual shape worked with ginbari technique using transparent enamel with floral motifs. Meiji period late 19th century Sizes: 15 x 10 cm Condition report: Good condition

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...

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute drawer handles. and the Warabite side handles. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery as well as hardened wooden nails. Full moon lock plates, Atari handle stoppers and drawer front corner hardware complete this beautiful chest...

An antique Japanese Suzuribako (calligraphy writing box) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles on the lid and drawer front.

This box originally functioned as an essential instrument for storing writing paper, brushes, ink and the inkstone. Whether it was a merchant writing a customer receipt or a professional calligrapher writing a personal letter for a farmer, this box was always ready for duty...

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu (tea chest) made of Sakuranoki (Cherry) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The body was constructed using Japanese Unique stylized four leaf clover cut-out design window allows natural light to showcase the interior shelf display. Upper four sliding doors opens to a spacious storage area. Below this to the upper left is a lift-out door behind which is more storage. Four multi-level shelves allowed for prominent viewing of seasonal and cultural decorations...

An antique Japanese Sakata Kasane (stacking chest on chest) Tansu in 2 sections made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged Iron hardware. Using Japanese joinery including straight dovetails and age consistent hardened wood nails. Originates from the famous tansu making town of Sakata in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan...

Japanese Meiji period cylindrical pawlonia (kiri) wood domaru (tree-trunk) hibachi with a relief design of flowering grasses in gold maki-e lacquer and shell inlay. A gold lacquered bird flies on the back. Original copper liner. Late 19th to early 20th century. 8” high x 11 1/2" wide. Very good overall condition with only minor losses to the shell inlay.

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Eight drawers and a pair of sliding doors allows for spacious storage. Original used in Japan as a family multi-purpose storage chest, it would function well as a buffet or sideboard chest.

Age: Showa Era (1930's).

Dimensions: 47 5/8" Wide by 33 3/4" High by 17" Deep

A rare tabako-ire in the shape of bear claws and netsuke with eagle claw that holds a glass sphere held by a rope, with turquoise ojime. This tabako-ire belonged to an Ainu in the northern of Japan on the island of Hokkaido where the native people, the Ainu, lived. In this extraordinary find there are the symbols of the two animals most revered by this people, the bear that lives free in the tribes and the eagle that was hunted for its feathers. Edo-Meiji period 19th century Sizes: 1...

A vintage Japanese contemporary low Mizuya Tansu made from solid Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Two sliding doors open to a spacious storage area. Three side by side drawers along the bottom with Hikute iron handles. Taiko drum nail heads decorate the sliding doors and horizontal side bars add structural strength as well as aesthetic beauty to the chest.

Age: 1970's

Dimensions: 35 1/2" Wide by 23 1/2" High by 17 3/4"Deep

An antique Japanese Tsuruoka Bo Tansu (chest with locking bar) made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. The locking bar features a flying crane amidst a forest of Sho Chiku Bai (Pine trees, Bamboo and Plum blossom trees). The lock plate on the bottom drawer features an auspicious sea turtle...

An antique Japanese Kansai Daiku Tansu (carpenter chest for tools and hardware) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. 14 drawers of various sizes used to store tools and hardware used by a Japanese wood craftsman. Japanese woodworking techniques used in making this chest include through mortise and tenon joinery and hardened wood nails. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. Originates from the Kansai region of Japan...

An antique Japanese Kururi Tansu (apothecary chest for herbs and medicine) made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood and finished in a Negoro lacquer. 30 drawers each with an iron ring pull. It features two side carrying handles and a custom-made raised stand.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 24 3/4" Wide by 17 1/4" High by 9 7.8" Deep

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) and of Kiri (Paulownia), Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Mokko handles. A hinged door hides two small drawers behind and two sliding doors hide a storage space where books and reading material was tucked away.

Its original purpose was for the storage of papers, ephemera, letters, documents, books and small accessories...

An antique Japanese all Kiri (Paulownia) wood Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) with original hand forged iron hardware. Beautiful natural wood grain with a three dimensional texture. Side handles on both sections used for carrying from place to place...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Mokko handles...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made from Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with full moon lock plates and curved Kakute handles. Side carrying handles features the rare locking pins used to connect the two sections together. Beautiful Japanese straight dovetail joinery is a testament to the expert craftsmanship used in making this chest.

Age: Early Meiji Era (1870-1880)

Dimensions: 30 1/4" Wide by 40 5/8" High by 16 3/4" ...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) in a rare two section design made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with full moon style locking plates and Warabite handles. Two sliding doors open to a storage area where merchant books and business records were kept. Recessed side handles on the tops of each section.

Merchant chests provided two important key elements for the store owner. The first was its functionality as a chest to consolidate the shop...