Antique Japanese small cha tansu (tea chest). Made with chestnut wood frame and burled hardwood drawer fronts. Two slider panels and a drop in panel are covered with gold-leafed silk on wood. The center of the chest has a small display area with a staggered shelf and two small drawers. The lower portion of the chest has three small drawers and a full-width drawer on the bottom.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 25 7/8" high x 23 1/4" wide x 10" deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and the metal embossings symbolizing the four seasons; Maple leaves on the handles representing the Fall season, Mums representing Spring, etc. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 23 1/4" Wide by 16 1/4" High by 11 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu (cabinet chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron handles including the Warabite handles. Two sliding doors behind which lies a large storage area, a lift-out door where additional storage was used and 6 drawers of varying sizes used to organize ones belongings. Side slates added strength and support. Constructed using both single and double through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery...

An unusually small and rare antique Japanese Cha Tansu (tea chest) made of Kuwa (Mulberry) and Kuri (Chestnut) woods. All original bronze hardware. Two sliding doors behind which tea accessories were stored. A lift-out door behind which housed a tea canister of dried tea leaves ready for brewing. With four drawers of varying sizes to store additional tea accoutrements.

Age: Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 17 1/4" Wide by 18 1/4" High by 9" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Urushi lacquer on Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Featuring 4 drawers of varying sizes and a safety hinged door hiding two small drawers where valuables were kept.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 24 3/8" Wide by 22" High by 12" Deep

Antique Japanese large single section mizuya (kitchen chest) with 8 wide drawers. Made with all fine-grain hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood on the front and frame. Each drawer has iron corner brackets, hirute shaped drawer pulls and square lock plates.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 37 1/2" high x 74" wide x 21" deep

An antique Japanese 2 section merchant display Tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Tochinoki (Horse Chestnut) woods. Each section has a split level shelf. The bottom section includes 4 side by side drawers where additional store inventory was stored. Constructed using double through mortise and tenon joinery for added strength.

Age: Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 66 1/2" Wide by 68" His by 16 1/2" Deep

Antique Japanese marquetry box. The front consists of 6 small drawers of various sizes, each intricately inlaid with tessellated hardwood patterns. The sides and top are covered with larger sections framing smaller marquetry pattern bursts that echo those on the drawers.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 10 1/2" high x 11 3/4" wide x 5 1/8" deep

Japanese Meiji period wood suzuri-bako (portable calligraphy box) with three drawers to hold paper, ledgers, and essential writing accessories. The lid swings open by pushing a locking side button and reveals a narrow storage compartment to hold ink stones and brushes. In addition to the top carrying handle and drawer pulls, all the edges of the chest are reinforced and adorned with heavy original black iron hardware. Circa 1880-1890. 9 3/4" high x 8" wide x 11 1/4" deep...

Antique Japanese pair of rare black lacquer dowery tansu for clothing. These fine lacquer cabinets would have held folded clothing and been carried to a brides home containing her dowery of fine textiles. Hinged doors open to reveal 4 shelves inside. Hardware includes 5 hinges on each door, corner bracing, handles for carrying by hand and by pole, and large lock plates all of which are incised with scrolling floral details and made of bronze...

An unusually small size Nagoya Mizuya Tansu in 1 section made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. 3 sets of sliding doors with spacious storage behind each set. 4 side by side center drawers and 3 drawers at the bottom for additional storage needs. Narrow depth allows for placement in even the narrowest of hallways.

Age: Meiji Era: (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 43 1/4" Wide by 49 1/4" High by 14 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacked Kimono chest on chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles and the lock plates featuring the Takanoha Mon (crossed arrow feather family crest). Each section has two sets of side handles, one for carrying with a pole and one for placement in the home. Using thick wood, it was constructed with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware including the Warabite handles. Pair of sliding doors open to a spacious storage area with a split level shelf on the left side. Six drawers of varying sizes were used for storage and organization. Straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction...

An antique Japanese Kotansu small chest made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. All original lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware. Most likely a bespoke commissioned chest suiting the owner who wanted to secure the 5 storage drawers behind a hinged door. Interesting 3 side handle configuration suggesting that the contents that was stored was haavy in weight.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 17 1/2" Wide by 23" High by 13 5/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Isho Biraki Tansu (clothes storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze and iron hardware. Beautiful hardwood trim outlining the Tansu front. A pair of hinged doors secure 4 removable Kimono trays behind. 3 large drawers below provide added storage for clothes and textiles. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Taisho Era (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 36 1/4" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 16 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. It is comprised of 5 drawers and a pair of sliding doors that hides a compartment where small books and literature was stored. All original bronze hardware. Makes a perfect side chest or nightstand.

Age: Taisho Era (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 24" Wide by 19" High by 12" 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

An antique Japanese Gifu Choba Tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Famed Gifu region horizontal slats comprising the pair of sliding doors and the sides of the tansu...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Upper carrying handle and hinged door that hides 4 drawers of varying sizes used by a merchant to store writing paper, receipts, money and calligraphy brushes.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 10" Wide by 12 1/4" High by 14 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 18 1/2" H x 23 3/4" W x 11 3/4" D

An antique Japanese Yonezawa Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles and the round lock plates. Three large drawers provide spacious storage for organizing. Side handles provide for easy carrying of the chest. Originates from the Yonezawa region of Japan.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 26 1/2" Wide by 23" High by 13 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Nagoya Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original bronze hardware. 2 section set. Upper section features 2 sets of sliding doors and four side by side drawers below. Bottom section has a pair of sliding doors and 3 side by side drawers. Originally used as a kitchen chest to store large jars of water, dishes, cooking utensils and serving ware...

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Biraki Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware. Upper section features a pair of sliding doors behind which lies a spacious storage area with a split level shelf with three side by side drawers below. The center section has two hinged doors that hide three removable Kimono trays while the bottom section has two drawers for added storage. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Tochinoki (Horse Chestnut) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original lhand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Six drawers of varying sizes with 2 sets of sliding doors. Merchant records and books were stored behind the upper doors. The lower doors hide three small drawers, a storage area for more records and a secret hiding drawer where valuables were kept hidden from possible thieves. Carrying handles to each side of...

An antique Japanese Sendai Bo Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and lacquered finish. Main drawer lockplate features Chrysanthemums with the lock bar featuring Pine trees and the bottom lock-late depicting a Paulownia leaf. 2 small drawers reside behind the hinged security door.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 42 1/2" Wide by 35" High by 17" Deep

An antique Japanese Tohoku Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress). All original hand forged iron hardware with Urushi lacquer finish. Three sets of sliding doors with removable shelves behind the larger doors. Three side by side drawers provide additional storage. Sections can be separated for use in different rooms of the house.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 36 3/8" Wide by 62 1/2" High by 16 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese low chest called Isho Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Added custom iron base to elevate chest for modern form and function. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 36 1/2" Wide by 25 3/4" High by 16 3/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu (book storage chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria). All original bronze and hand forged Iron hardware including the stylized Mokko handles. Two sets of sliding doors behind which spacious storage was used to keep books. Two side by side drawers at the bottom for additional storage. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 34 5/8" Wide by 33...

An antique Japanese 2 section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and Urushi lacquer finish. Upper section has two sets of sliding doors with two side by side drawers below. Bottom section has a pair of sliding doors, a lift-out door and six drawers of varying sizes. The sides have horizontal slats for added strength and support as well as visual design.

Age: Meiji Per...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage) chest made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware. Pair of sliding doors behind which is a split level shelf. Five drawers of varying sizes used for organizing and spacious storage. Constructed with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Early Taisho (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" Wide by 18 3/4" High by 11 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu made entirely of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original bronze and iron hardware. Six drawers and a pair of hinged doors that open to a merchant books and records storage area with vertical separators and a removable shelf. Thick wood drawer construction and the Tansu was made using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Early Taisho (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 34" Wide by 34 7/8" High by 14 1/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage) chest made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the slightly Gumbai style handles. Used for all purpose family storage of papers, letters and sundry articles, it works well in a contemporary home as a side chest or night stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 21 1/2" Wide by 21 3/4" High by 13" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Gifu Choba (Merchant ) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Quarter Sawn Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and a beautiful age acquired patina. Unique and rare visual striations in the frame intentionally produced by the quarter sawn cut of the wood. Upper section has a pair of sliding doors behind which is a spacious storage area with two side by side drawers below. The lower section has another pair of sliding doors with four larger dr...

An antique Japanese Omise Tansu (merchant storage chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Consisting of 15 total drawers, it was used in a merchant store setting to organize and keep inventory available for sale. The upper counter was used for the display of wares and the wrapping of sold items. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 69 5/8" Wide by 26 3/4" High by 15 7/8" Deep

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu (Kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Original hand cast bronze hardware including the Warabite style handles. Top section has two sliding doors behind which lies a half split level shelf with three side by side drawers below. The center section features 3 drawers and the bottom section has 2 larger drawers for spacious clothes storage. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Taisho P...

An antique Japanese Nagoya Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Made in 2 sections, the upper portion has two sets of sliding doors with spacious storage while the bottom section has 9 drawers, a pair of sliding doors and a pair of hinged doors that provided storage and organizing of daily Japanese culinary tools, gadgets and utensils. Constructed using double mitered through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

An antique Japanese Choba Display Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Two sliding glass doors were used to showcase the store owner's wares with two drawers below for safe keeping the inventory. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Gunbai style handles. Drawer corners feature the raised tealeaf design suggesting this chest originated in the Yonezawa region of Japan. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

An antique Japanese Tansu chest made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles with natural age acquired patina. The handles have unusual embossed designs of a crescent moon, a plum blossom and a Bugaku pattern. Drawer lock plates feature the full moon pattern and each section has side carrying handles. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions:...

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware and Oxblood red Urushi lacquer finish. Drawer lock plates have an unusual stylized insect-like incised design with fine stimple work accents and handles in the Warabite style. True dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails were used in the making of this chest.

Age: Late Meiji (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 35 1/4" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 16 5/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original patina and bronze hardware including the Warabite style handles and the Chrysanthemum incised lock plates. A configuration of 3 large drawers and 2 smaller side by side drawers provides for organization and storage. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. It would work well as a side chest or a bedside nightstand.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dime...

An antique Japanese Tansu chest called Oki Getabako (Large shoe chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Large two sliding doors hides 2 full width shelves. Originally used in a large Ryokan (country inn) in the Kansai region of Japan to store wooden clogs and shoes for guests staying there. Traditionally kept at the entrance of the inn, guests would remove their footwear and change into slippers that were provided. Constructed using through mortise and tenon joinery acq...

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu (tea chest) made entirely of Rosewood (Shitan). Beautiful configuration of sliding doors, shelves and drawers. Each display shelf has an arabesque border and the center and top shelf have a horizontal scrolling design. The top, back and sides all have floating panels and the chest has an open air design with areas for storage.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho (1900-1920)

Dimensions: 42" Wide by 42 1/2" High by 13" Deep

An antique Japanese two section display tansu (Kazaridana) made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Features 3 adjustable shelves with original bronze hardware and glass. Bottom section has 5 spacious drawers for additional storage.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1900-1920)

Dimensions: 72 3/4" Wide by 53 3/4" High by 18 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (Kimono chest on chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Mokko handles and the lock plates featuring a crossed feathers family crest of the original owner. Features three full width drawers, a partial width drawer and a hinged security door that hides 2 small drawers. Constructed with Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 41" W...

An antique Japanese Geta Bako (shoe chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Two large sliding doors hide a spacious area with 2 removable shelves. Used in an entry way of a Japanese country inn (Ryokan) to store guest wooden clogs and footwear before entering.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 53" Wide by 37 3/8" High by 15 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (section on section) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Gumbai style handles. Four full width drawers for spacious clothes storage. Side handles to each section for carrying the from place to place.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 39 5/8" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 17" Deep

An antique Japanese Kannon Biraki Tansu (wedding Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware. Upper section features two hinged doors that secure two large and two small drawers. Behind the bottom small drawer is a secret hidden box where important valuables were kept. Bottom section has two full width drawers for additional storage. Constructed using Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 3...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking 2 section chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. Full moon lock plates with quarter and semi-circular front drawer corner plates that accentuates the theme. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Each section has side carrying handles. Upper section has side locking pins to secure the sections in place.

Age: Early Meiji...

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and acquired natural patina. Features Warabite style handles with Plum Blossom knockers (called Atari) used as an audible deterrent when thieves try to open a drawer. 4 large drawers for Kimono storage and a hinged door behind which 2 drawers kept valuables safe. Made using Japanese joinery techniques and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

A rare antique Choba Tansu in 2 stacking sections made entirely of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and patina. Rare design commissioned by a wealthy merchant featuring an extra wide design and a shallow depth. Upper section features 2 sliding doors with 3 side by side drawers. Bottom section features 9 drawers with 2 sliding doors and a hinged door behind which 3 small drawers were used for secure storage. Sides feature support slats used for strength and visua...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and the stylized Chrysanthemum lock plates. Open fan style corners to the drawer fronts. Locking pin system secures top section to the bottom. Constructed using Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Early Meiji period (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 40 3/4" Wide by 40 1/2" High by 16 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu (tea chest) made of Kaki (Persimmon) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Sliding doors and drawers provide abundant storage for organizing. Large glass display doors for showcasing holiday and seasonal keepsakes. Originally used as a chest for storing items for tea service and refreshments for guests.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 3/4" Wide by 39" High by 13 5/8" Deep

An antique Japanese tansu chest called Bodansu (chest with locking bar) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. It originates from the southern island of Kyushu. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Six drawers were used for Kimono storage with three drawers being secured by a locking bar with key. Side handles were used for moving the tansu from place to place. Constructed using Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji period (188...

Very beautiful Japanese table with four legs in gold, black and brown lacquer with two richly decorated tops. The upper tray presents a decoration of bats, kumori (蝙蝠), in flight in gold hiramaki-e lacquer on a brown lacquer background. The openwork side panels feature the same motif. The lower tray and the legs display a decoration of moving or lying sika deer (鹿), also in hiramaki-e gold lacquer on a black lacquer background.

This small piece of fur...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Upper section has 2 large drawers, a small drawer and a hinged door that hides 2 smaller drawers. The bottom section has 2 full width drawers for spacious storage. Each section has side handles for carrying from place to place. The lock plates feature the family crest of the original owner which depicts 8 circles e...

An antique Japanese Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of HInoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkkova) woods. All original hand forged iron handles including the Mokko style handles. Upper section has 2 sliding doors with iron wire mesh screen that was used similar to the western pie safe with 4 drawers below. The lower section has 2 sliding doors behind which is a removable shelf with 2 side by side drawers below. Side supports added strength and visual design to the chest. Construc...

An antique Japanese Kasane Kimono Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Gumbai drawer handles and the stylized Chrysanthemum lock plates. Each section has two full width drawers for abundant storage and each section has side handles for carrying the tansu. Constructed using Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Early Meiji Era (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 39 5/8" Wide by 40 1/2" High by ...

An antique Japanese low Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware with Warabite style handles. 2 Sliding doors behind which a split level shelf allows for abundant storage. Side support slats provide strength and visual design. 4 side by side drawers below provide additional storage.

Age: Meiji Era (1890-1900)

Dimensions: 43 1/2" Wide by 32" High by 15 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware with Warabite style handles. Upper section includes a pair of sliding doors with 3 side by side drawers below. The bottom two sections each have full width drawers for clothes storage. Made using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Sections can be stacked as shown or used in different rooms of the home.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Period (1910-1920)...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Made in 2 stacking sections, the upper part features 2 sets of sliding doors with four drawers below and the bottom part has a pair of sliding doors with a removable split level shelf. All original bronze hardware including the Marui style handles. Center doors have intact copper wire mesh screen used to prevent flying pests from entering. Built with slide slats for strength and visual...