An antique Japanese Sendai Bo Tansu (locking bar chest from the Sendai region) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Kakute handles and Urushi lacquer finish. Safe door hides 3 small drawers where valuables were stored. The main lock plate features a key pattern with a flowing vine arabesque with the smaller plates decorated with Paulownia. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden... Click for details

An antique Japanese 2 section tall Kyoto Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made entirely of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with Warabite handles. Copper sliding door handles. Top section features two sliding doors behind which is a spacious storage area where store books and records were kept and below which are 5 drawers. Bottom section features 8 drawers of varying sizes with two sets of sliding doors and a hinged safe behind which are 2 small drawers where... Click for details

An antique Japanese Kannon Biraki Tansu (wedding kimono chest) made of rare Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Kakute handles. Natural Urushi lacquer accentuates the beautiful wood grain. Stippling work to the round lock plates of the two hinged doors. Bottom hinged security door hides two small drawers with a secret box behind the bottom drawer.

The Kannon Biraki tansu was often presented as part of a woman's... Click for details

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... Click for details

An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu made fo Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Urushi lacquer accentuates the beautiful wood grain. Unusual rare deep design that was specially custom commissioned to be made by a tansu maker. Three large drawers with a security hinged door featuring a dragon motif that hides two small drawers for valuables as well as a secret hiding box. All original hand forged iron hardware with construction using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened... Click for details

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with a Paulownia family crest front lock plate. Two hinged doors open to an array of 8 small drawers each used organize the previous owner's collection of smalls. The iron stand (a recent addition) was used to raise this chest off of the floor to make it into the perfect side table.

Age: Edo Era (circa 1750-1800)

Dimensions with stand: 25... Click for details

An antique Japanese Yamagata Tansu made of Kurinoki (Chestnut) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute handles and the Urushi lacquer finish. Lock plates feature the family crest of the Paulownia. Four large drawers and one small drawer to the exterior. The hinged security door hides 2 small drawers where valuables were kept. Side swivel handles were used in conjunction with a wood pole to carry this tansu from place to place.Age:... Click for details

An antique Japanese Isho (clothes) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hike handles. The lock plates feature a Plum Blossom knob and a full moon back stop. Features 5 large drawers and a hinged door that hides 3 small drawers. Side swivel handles allows for a wood pole to pass through allowing two persons to carry the tansu from location to location. Two small carrying handles on each side allows for placement... Click for details

An antique Japanese 2 section Kyoto Mizuya Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and HInoki (Cypress) woods. The upper and lower sections feature sliding doors behind which removable shelves allow for split level storage with 5 drawers for organizing small items. The small hinged door to the upper right features a secret sliding locking panel that opens and closes the door. Side horizontal ribs for additional strength and visual design. Mortise and tenon Japanese joinery was used in its... Click for details

An antique Japanese merchant desk (Choba Tsukue) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress). Beautiful natural burl grain to the drawer fronts. Hand forged iron Hikute handles with 3 drawers to either side balanced by a center drawer.

Merchant desks were an invaluable piece of furniture for any Japanese store. The desk delineated the merchant from the customer allowing him to write business records and receipts.

Age: Meiji Period (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 39" Wide by... Click for details