A rare antique Japanese Sakata Funa Hon Tansu (ship captain's document chest) made of Keyaki burl (Zelkova) in front and Keyaki frame. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Side carrying handles made of Kaki (Persimmon) wood.

Used in a ship captain's quarters to store valuable documents and books. In the event of a pirate attack, these chests were tied by rope and thrown overboard to prevent them from becoming part of the loot...

Antique Japanese small tansu with 5 drawers of various sizes. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood and still in it's original condition. Iron hardware includes hirute shaped drawer pulls and each drawer has a lock plate. The sides of the chest have a deep reddish lacquer finish. The deep patination is from hundreds of years of careful use.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 25" high x 25 3/4" wide x 13 1/2" deep

Antique Japanese gyosho bako (peddler's chest for a traveling salesman). Made with sugi (cryptomeria - cypress) wood on the outside and kiri (paulownia) wood on the inside, this box would have been light enough to carry. The single door opens to reveal a series of 10 light weight stacking trays which slide out like drawers. Each is marked with a character in light ink for organization. There is also an exterior drawer with a round iron lock and square handle...

An antique Japanese Okidoko (low display stand) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Used in a Tokonoma as a portable display stand atop which decorations like scrolls were hung or flower arrangements were displayed. Drawers were used to store items for display and the interior shelves were used to display seasonal items. All original bronze hardware.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1900). Dimensions: 31 1/4" Wide by 12 1/4" Deep by 14 1/4" Deep

A rare antique Sado Island Kasane Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and original Urushi lacquer finish. All hardware was custom made with no two matching parts. The locking plates feature many auspicious symbols including Ebisu, Daikoku, the Lion Dancers, a crane, two turtles, a Fu Dog and an old wise man...

Antique Japanese small ko tansu (chest for personal storage). Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. The chest has sliding panels on the top portion which open two a single compartment. Below this is a row of 3 small drawers over two full-width drawers. Hardware is made of cast iron.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 24 1/4" high x 22" wide x 13" deep

Antique Japanese single section mizuya tansu (kitchen chest). Made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with details in keyaki (elm). Two large sliding panels with vertical slats open to a large compartment with a shelf. Below this is a horizontal row of four small drawers with round, iron handles...

Rare antique Japanese large kuruma tansu, wheeled storage chest. Made with keyaki (elm) wood on the front. The sides and back are reinforced with hinoki (Japanese cypress) slats. The upper portion of the chest has three full-width drawers held shut with a locking bar (bo). The lower portion has two medium sized drawers also held shut with another locking bar. On the lower right hand side is a safe box with a hinged door (with key) which opens to reveal 3 small interior drawers...

An antique Todana Tansu (storage chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the decorative sliding door pulls. A Keyaki (Zelkova) freeze borders the base with a hand carved rope design. Side slats for strength and support on each side. Trapezoid Keyaki door runners to prevent wear to doors when slid...

An antique Japanese Kotansu for traveling administrators made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Unusual dual opening drawer allowed two administrators on each side of the tansu to access the same drawers and supplies. Family crest on the door.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 16 3/8" Wide by 23 3/8" High by 20 3/8" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Nihon Matsu Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the double action lock plates and the Warabite handles. Bronze decorative mounts feature lucky Japanese symbols including the treasure mallet, the treasure bag, a traveling cape and a traveler's hat...

An antique Japanese 2 section Kamidana (Shinto shrine) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. In 2 sections, The upper section has 4 sliding doors with Shoji style slats and Hoju (religious flaming jewel) that features a mountainous landscape naturally designed by Akita Sugi wood grain. Below this are two sliding doors with Andon (lantern) style slats...

An antique Japanese single section Todana Tansu (display chest) made of HInoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Features 4 sliding doors to upper storage area and 2 sliding doors to main display area. Replaced glass panels offer a view of the items on display. Side slats provide strength, support and visual design.

Age: Meiji period: 1890-1900)

Dimensions: 53 3/4" Wide by 34 1/4" High by 19 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Funa Tansu (captain's chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style drawer pulls and the Warabite style carrying handle. Iron strapping over the exterior of the chest. Front security door opens to reveal 4 drawers. A secret hiding area is accessible when the lower drawer is fully removed...

An antique Japanese drawer Nagamochi Tansu (storage trunk) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Unusual all drawer design with shallow upper trunk. All original lacquer finish with interior paper lining. Most likely used for the storage of large vertical textile banners used for advertising or Boy's day celebrations.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 72 1/2" Wide by 27 3/4" High by 24 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (clothing chest) made entirely of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles. Three drawers for Kimono storage with a small corner drawer where fashion accessories were stored.

Age: Meiji Period (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 34 1/2" Wide by 23 3/4" High by 14 14" Deep

An antique Japanese Kake Suzuribako (aka calligraphy merchant box) made of Kuri (Chestnut) wood. All original finish and hand forged iron hardware. Hinged lid opens to a storage area where an inkstone and Sumi (ink sticks) were kept. The remainder of the top has a slot where coins were inserted to be kept in the upper drawer out of the sight of wondering eyes. Two additional drawers were used to keep calligraphy brushes and Washi paper used for writing. The handle atop this important daily ...

An antique Japanese Iwayado Kimono Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original Urushi lacquer finish with hand forged iron hardware. Warabite style handles and Kiri Leaf designed lock plates. A single section chest used for Kimono storage consisting of 4 large drawers, 2 small drawers and a security door behind which 4 smaller drawers were used to store valuables.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 48 1/4" Wide by 37" High by 17 1/4" Deep