Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), keyaki (elm) wood front, sugi (cryptomeria) wood frame, 2 drawers on top, 6 drawers of various sizes on bottom portion, middle portion has sliding panels with horizontal slats of keyaki wood with sugi wood panels, behind sliding panel on right hand side are two shelves and two small interior drawers with keyaki wood fronts and iron hardware, behind the sliding panel on the left side is one interior shelf, extensive iron hardware on front ...

An antique Japanese 3 section Kimono Biraki Isho Tansu (stacking chest on chest with hinged doors) constructed entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Hinged doors open to 3 removable kimono trays. Spacious storage behind the sliding doors in the top section with 3 additional side by side storage drawers. Bottom section has 2 large drawers for additional storage space. Each section can be separated for use in different rooms of the home...

Very unusual antique Japanese matching pair of black lacquer gyosho bako (peddler's boxes). Each has a full height door with eight hand forged brass hinges in stunning original patina. One box opens to a large compartment. The other opens to a series of 5 drawers of different sizes. Each box has a square hole for a carrying pole.
This piece would have been used to carry and store a merchants livelihood. Selling objects or services carried out by the tools store inside...

Antique Japanese pair of three-section kiri (paulownia) wood tansu, with metal hirute shaped handles and fan-shaped locks on multi-sized drawers. The top section of each tansu has two large sliding doors, with inner shelving carved in an attractive alter style and two small drawers. One tansu has a middle section with two large doors on attractive hinges incised with a motif of kiri leaves, and a round pierced metal decoration with kiri leaves and flowers...

An antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu also known as a ship captain's chest with a Keyaki (Zelkova) wood exterior and a Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood interior. Finished in a natural Urushi lacquer, it showcases the beautiful wood grain. Hidden to the right behind the sliding doors are small drawers for additional storage and a removable Kakesuzuri Bako complete with inkstone...

Antique Japanese unusual chest with deep red lacquer background, its front, sides, back, and top decorated by metal overlay butterflies and dragonflies with gilt lacquer flower blossoms and leaves. Two hinged doors in front lock in the center by a large, shapely lock incised with flora, complete with key. Inside are many drawers with squared handles and gilt lacquer designs of leaves. Included is a beautiful gold stand with clawed feet, custom made for this piece...

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Antique Japanese Kiri wood (Paulownia) tansu. Original natural kiri wood finish. Medium weight black iron hardware with warabite handles and round locks on each drawer. Wonderful condition.
Meiji age (1868-1912)

Size: 25" L x 13" W x 22.5" H

Antique Japanese Butsudan shrine, in 3-sections secured by mortise and tenon joinery and by side ropes. The exterior is lacquered in black with gilt decorative hardware and panels. Its bottom section has three drawers, two sliding panels with gilt floral medallions, and a pull-out shelf with a gilt lotus bouquet. The front doors open with a second set of gilt mesh panels with painted floral motifs on each one...

Antique Japanese two section isho tansu from the Sakata region, made with gorgeous Keyaki (elm) wood in original reddish brown finish. Each drawer has an iron lock incised like a flower over crossing leaves. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Wonderful original condition. Size: 44" height, 35 width, 16.5" depth

Japanese light Kiri and Cedar Wood two(2) section Tansu, chest on chest with original light color wood and hardware, Ca. 1940, 42" high, 36" wide, 16" deep, two(2) long drawers in upper section above one(1) short drawer next to two(2) small drawers on the right in lower level. All drawers have heavy ornate back plate and heavy black iron handles, the condition is good, original condition, all the black iron works are solid and heavy.

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant box) made of thick Hinoki (Cypress) and thick Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Straight dovetail joinery with hardened wooden nail construction. Original bronze and iron hardware. Two different sized coin slots at the top of the box. Includes a working key.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 10 7/8" Side x 12" High x 11 7/8" Deep

Antique Japanese two section Kiri wood Nihon Matsu tansu with top and sides lacquered in deep red. This chest has four large and medium drawers with decorative backplates handles, and large iron locks incised with different flora. The top section has a side lockbox with three small drawers inside. A working key is included. Dates from the Edo Period c1850. Size: 38" height, 33.25" width, 16.75" depth

An antique Japanese Katana Tansu (sword chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Beautiful naturally acquired patina over its long history. Long drawer for Katana storage, short drawer for Tanto storage and a small drawer for Katana parts and polishing supplies.

Age: Early Meiji Period (1870-1880)

Dimensions: 45 3/4" Wide by 12" High by 12" Deep

A rare antique Japanese Sakata Hangai Tansu (captain's business transaction chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original translucent Urushi lacquer with hand forged iron hardware. Security door with a working top lock and key that hides 6 interior drawers of varying sizes...

Antique Japanese rare kuruma tansu (wheeled chest). Made of solid quartered sawn keyaki (zelkova) wood with hand forged iron hardware. The upper portion of the chest has a large compartment opened by sliding panels with horizontal slats and heavy iron latch. The bottom portion has one large drawer. There is a small hidden compartment between the two portions of the chest...

Antique Japanese gyosho bako, or merchant's chest, in a tall and slender style with many drawers. It is made of kiri (paulownia) wood with a dark brown lacquer. The drawers bear an emblem faded from age, perhaps once used to label the contents inside. The very bottom drawer has an iron locking plate. Edo age (1615-1867). Exhibited in Palo Alto Cultural Center. Size: 36" height, 11" width, 14" depth

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant storage box) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware. Eight drawers of varying sizes for the storage of paper, writing brushes, inkstone, money, receipts and other merchant paraphernalia...

An antique Japanese Tansu chest called Kotansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze and iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Locks feature a Chrysanthemum motif and the door handles display stylized clouds. Two sliding doors open to a spacious storage area and five drawers used for additional storage and organizing. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 23 7/8" Wid...

Dramatic antique Japanese 2-section mizuya tansu (kitchen chest), made of beautifully grained keyaki (elm) wood, top section has sliding panels that open to one large compartment with one shelf, an opening door on the upper right has a very unusual wooden handle and also opens to a compartment with one self, below that are three small drawers of different sizes, along the middle of the piece are 4 larger drawers with iron warabite shaped drawer pulls, the bottom section is one large compar...

Antique Japanese trunk made of kiri (paulownia) wood with a deep red finish, bordered in black lacquer. Two iron handles are at its sides, a gourd-shaped iron lock decorates the front. The blonde interior has been marked with kanji. Edo age (1615-1867) Size: 22" height, 34" width, 15.5" depth

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant storage box) made of Kurinoki (Chestnut) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand made iron fittings including the Hirute drawer handles and the Warabite carrying handle. It features unique Cherry blossom escutcheons behind the drawer handles and a coin slot at the top that drops into the top left drawer. The other 5 drawers were used to safely keep small store valuables.

Signed at the base that translates to read: "Made Meiji 40 (1907)...

Antique Japanese small tansu chest made for personal use, made all of kiri (Japanese cypress) wood with nice patina and especially nice joinery. This tansu has beautiful copper hardware all over the front including corner bracing, lock plates and moko shaped drawer pulls. One large drawer runs the full width of the top portion of the chest. Below this is a vertical row of three small drawers on the right side and a compartment opened by sliding panels on the left. On the lower left portion ...

An antique Japanese gilt wood temple Ranma (transom). Hand carved depicting a pair of Kingfisher with 3 Swallows amongst Lotus blossoms and leaves. One Swallow has caught a small fish while one Kingfisher has caught the leg of a frog. Deep relief with inscription on left and partial inscription on right.

Momoyama Period (1573-1603)

Dimensions: 43" Wide by 11 3/8" High by 2 3/8" Deep

Japanese antique single section mizuya (kitchen tansu for storage). Made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with original deep brown lacquer finish. The right hand side of the chest has a compartment covered by a pair of sliding panels with keyaki wood details, open work carving and wire for ventilation. The largest compartment is covered with sliding panels with keyaki details and vertical slats. The inside of each of these compartments has one shelf. A series of 8 small drawers occupy t...

An antique Japanese Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite stye handles. 5 exterior drawers for storage and organizing with 2 sliding doors behind which store records and books were kept. Hinged door secures 2 small drawers where valuables were hidden away. Horizontal side slats provide strength and a visual design element complimenting the sliding door slats. Through mortise a...

An antique Japanese Funa Bako (ship safe box) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and natural Urushi lacquer finish. The safe door opens to 5 drawers where valuables were kept. The heavy weight of the case combined with a buoyant interior allowed the crew members to attach a rope to the handle and throw the safe overboard during a pirate attack. The chest would float beneath the surface of the water for retrieval after the attack was...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu is made of kiri with iron hardware. The tansu has an upper large drawer. Below the drawer there is a sliding panel with one interior shelf. On the right side is 3 small drawers. The bottom section has two medium sized drawers and on the right side a door with lock. Behind the door are two small drawers with locks.

Date: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 30" long X 15.5 " deep X 30.5" tall

Antique Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area. Made with keyaki (zelkova elm) wood front and sugi (cryptomeria) wood frame. The chest has four large drawers, two small drawers and a safe box (with key) which opens to two small interior drawers. The hardware is made of iron and features beautiful lock plates in the form of scrolling vines with a chrysanthemum mon in the center and warabite drawer pulls. Lacquer finish is a deep translucent red with black lacquer on the fro...

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. Double set of side carrying handles.

Contemporary uses include using it as a daily dresser drawer or a linen storage cabinet.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 35 1/2"...

Rare an unusual antique Japanese Kuruma Tansu (Wheeled Chest) made of Kurinoki (Chestnut) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Strength and durability provided by wood structural slats on all sides as well as the top. Split level shelf behind the sliding front doors with two small storage drawers along the front bottom. Both the finish and the hand made iron fittings are original to the chest.

Age: Mid Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 31 1/2" Wide x 27 1/2" High x 17" Deep

Stunning solid keyaki antique Japanese small ko tansu with two sliding doors main upper doors. Three drawers with hand forged iron locks. The original finish comes off as a rick medium - dark honey lacquer finish. Dramatic quartered sawn grain pattern seen thronghout the piece. Originates from the Tohoku region of Japan.

Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Size: 24.5" height, 24" width, 12" depth

Antique Japanese tobacco ban (smoking box) with handle, made of hardwood with lovely grain, two small drawers, two small compartments on top with lids (one with a tiny bronze pomegranate), open square compartment for an ash bowl and a long compartment for pipes, Taisho Period. Size: 4 3/4" high x 9 1/2" wide (including handle) x 6 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese fune tansu (ship safe box), made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) and sugi (cryptomeria) woods with kiri (paulownia) wood on inside of drawers, heavy iron hardware including cross bracing on both the front and back, heavy iron hinges on door, interior has 6 drawers of different sizes two of which have iron lock plates, warabite shaped drawer pulls and handle on top, Edo Period (late 18th/early 19th century). Size: 16 1/2" high x 16" wide x 17" deep.

An antique Japanese Chonin Kobako (merchant storage box) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand forged iron hardware with construction using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. The drawer handles are of the Kakute style comprising six drawers to organize and secure its contents. Traditionally sitting next to the side of the merchant, it was an indispensable chest housing coins and money, important documents, and valuables as well as brushes, an ink...

Japanese antique 2-section cha tansu (tea chest). The frame of this chest is made of solid keyaki (elm) wood and the front has persimmon wood veneer with dramatic grain. The top section has a compartment covered with four small sliding panels and a large compartment with glass sliders for display. Inside the glass display area are stepped shelves, a smaller square glass door compartment, another compartment with batik covered sliding panels depicting Mt. Fuji. There is a small drawer in th...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) from the Niigata region of Japan. The front section is made of burled keyaki (Zelkova) and the sides are sugi (Crytomeria). The tansu has a pair of burled wood sliding doors over two burled drawers with heavy iron locks. Exceptional burled Keyaki wood.

Date: Early Meiji - 1870's

Dimensions: 34" tall X 32" wide X 20" deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Nagoya Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress), Akita Sugi (Cryptomeria from the Akita region) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original iron fittings. Constructed using mortise and tenon & through mortise and tenon joinery as well as hardened wood nails. There are side horizontal slats for added strength and support. The top sliding door panels were decorated with beautiful flowing grain Akita Sugi wood boards. The hardware features stylized Mokko...

An antique Japanese Sendai Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles and the stylized Chrysanthemum arabesque lock plates. 6 drawers with a security door that hides 2 small drawers used to protect valuables. It comes with a key.

Age: Late Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 45 1/4" Wide by 34 3/4" High by 17 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese merchant box made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and wiped Urushi lacquer finish. Hinged door opens to four storage drawers. Top handle used for carrying this box from client to client. Originally used

Age: Edo Era (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 9 1/2" Wide by 10 1/2" High by 11 3/4" Deep

Antique Japanese single section mizuya (kitchen tansu). Made with keyaki (zelkova elm) wood on the front with beautiful grain. Two large storage compartments with sliding panels. One with wire for ventilation and display. The lower portion of the chest has two drawers with iron warabite shaped drawer pulls.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33 1/2" high x 35 1/4" wide x 17 7/8" deep

Antique Japanese small ko tansu (personal chest) made of kiri (paulownia) wood. Thick kiri wood frames five drawers: three large drawers on the top and two smaller drawers side by side on the bottom. Hardware is made of bronze and includes simple warabite shaped drawer pulls and side handles.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 25 1/4" high x 23 3/4" wide x 13 3/4" deep

Small Japanese antique tansu for personal use, made all of kiri (paulownia) wood, 1 larger drawer along the top, 3 medium sized drawers down the left side, 3 smaller drawers of varying sizes down the right side, lots iron hardware including warabite shaped drawer pulls, lock plates on every drawer except the one smallest drawer, Meiji Period (1868-1912) Size: 17 1/2" high x 23 3/4" wide x 12 3/4" deep.

Antique Japanese kyodai (box with drawers and mirror). Made with burled mulberry wood with intricate grain. The interior is all kiri (paulownia) wood with a wiped lacquer finish inside the drawers. The box has 5 drawers of various sizes for storing personal items. The spandrel under the mirror is carved with a bird flying in front of a full moon and tall grasses. Original beveled glass mirror which swivels up and down.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 64 1/2" h...

Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship safe box) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood in original dark finish, on a black wood stand. Six small drawers are sealed away within, with kan (ring) pulls. The front is decorated by black, incised iron hardware with a cherry blossom handles. Edo period (1603-1868)

Dates from the mid 19th century Size: 13" W x 17.5" D x 15" H (20.75" H)

An antique Japanese Two-Section Kaidan Tansu (stair chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute handles. Made in two sections allowing for easier placement through a door or entrance. Drawers of varying sizes for organizing with a large hinged door with spacious storage behind and a lift out door on the top step with two wooden hooks where security keys were kept. Wear to the edge of the steps is a testament to its ...

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 two section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress), Kakinoki (Persimmon) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. It originated from the Suruga region of Japan (now Shizuoka prefecture).

Unique configuration of sliding doors, drawers and hidden storage compartment makes this tansu a versatile and beautiful work of art. The Persimmon wood panels and drawer fronts were purposefully chosen by the original tansu maker with the bottom drawers representing waves of ...

Japanese antique 2-section butsudan, a Buddhist shrine for use in the home. The front exterior of the shrine is made with beautiful red finish hardwood with black lacquer sides, folding silk meshed interior doors with gilt lacquer panels of flying cranes, a beautiful miniature temple scene inside where the image of a deity and offerings are to be placed. A carved gilt panel with dragons hangs overhead. The butsudan stand has four sliding black and gilt lacquer panels with images of trees, cranes...

Antique Japanese two-section kiri (paulownia) tansu with interesting kakute (squared) iron handles paired with round locks on each of its drawers. The two sections connect at the sides with pierced iron plating. Great condition, 100% Kiri wood. Late Meiji Period Size; 43" height, 38" width, 16.5" depth

A rare antique Japanese Hangai Tansu (captain's business transaction chest) made of Keyaki Tamamoku (Zelkova Burl) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original translucent Urushi lacquer with hand made bronze hardware. Security door with two side trick latches and a top lock and key that hides 6 interior drawers of varying sizes. The trick latches unlock by lifting the knob up and to the right for the left latch and up and to the left for the right latch. Unusual feature where the outer sides...

An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and wood patina. Used primarily for Kimono storage when first made, it later stored western clothes as it passed through the family generations. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Present day use would include functioning as a dresser drawer or a linen chest.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 37 3/4" Wide by ...

Antique Japanese 2-section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing) made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. The top section has two large drawers and the bottom section has two large drawers and two small drawers on the lower right hand side. Iron hardware includes large round lock plates on the large drawers and matching small round lock plates on the small drawers.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41 1/2" high x 34" wide x 15 3/4" deep

An antique Japanese Ranma (transom) made of Akita Sugi (Cryptomeria from Akita prefecture) and Hinoki (Cypress). Natural Urushi black lacquer frame. Hand carved scene featuring a good luck turtle with longevity tail admiring an old Plum Blossom tree with scatterings of Bamboo underneath.

Age: Taisho Era (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 73 1/4" Wide by 14 1/2" High.

Antique Japanese rare large oshi-ire isho tansu from the Sendai area of Japan, (Oshi-ire refers to the closet which housed such large chests and exposed only the front of the cabinet, guests were seated in front of such chests to honor them, unusually large construction with double drawers across the top, beautiful all keyaki (elm) wood with burl wood on drawer fronts and keyaki wood frame, translucent lacquer finish, iron hardware includes large square shaped lock plates with raised scene...

Japanese antique carved dressing table with tall mirror, ornately carved all over with flowers and long leaves, four curved legs, dark reddish brown finish, made for export, Taisho Period (circa 1920). Provenance: property of Fox and MGM Studios around 1935. Size: 101 1/2" high x 52" wide x 19" deep.

Antique Japanese kiri (paulownia) choba tansu, or merchant's chest with a pair of sliding door panels and interior shelving. Six drawers of varying size all open with squared "kakute" handles and have round iron locks. A great piece with original finish. Size: 32.5" height, 31.25" width, 16.25" depth

Antique Japanese horse saddle, wooden frame with brass hardware, leather is decorated with orange and gold lacquer with peony design, indigo cotton fabric with woven mesh saddle cover with long fringe, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 18" high x 31" wide x 25" deep.

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...

A gorgeous Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai region, with a red lacquer Sugi (cedar) frame and Keyaki (elm) front drawers in its original, rich honey finish. Each drawer opens with mokko (melon) style handles on lotus back plates, and is adorned with elaborate scrolling vine iron locks. The bottom safe box holds three red lacquer front drawers, and hides away a secret back compartment.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 46.5" L x 23.5" W x 34.5" H

Japanese dark Kiri wood Merchant's display document box and shelves with drawers, Meiji period, Ca. 1880, 19" high, 20" wide, 7" deep, two(2) shelves above three(3) small drawers, two(2) larger drawers at the bottom, all the drawers have brass round knob. The grains are beautiful and very decorative cut out design of pine tree and other Japanese design on the both side. The back side is enclosed small checker board wooden grills which is very decorative, maybe one time someone pasted rice pape...