An antique Japanese Kyoto Todana Tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Two large sliding doors open to a spacious storage area with a center shelf. Horizontal wooden slats on the doors and the sides allow for visual aesthetics and strength of the chest. Side swivel handles were used for transporting this chest by running a long wood pole through the handles allowing a group of helpers to easily carry this chest from location to location.

The Japanese philosophy... Click for details

An antique Japanese Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand made iron drawer pulls in the shape of a full moon with bow style back plates. Sliding doors feature Kakinoki (Persimmon) wood inlaid handles. Constructed using mortise and tenon joinery with horizontal side ribs for strength and durability. Abundant storage space behind both sets of sliding doors with additional space available in the four drawers.... Click for details

A rare antique Japanese Kasane (stacking chest on chest) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron hardware. Double side by side upper drawer design sometimes considered the matriarch pattern among Sendai Tansu collectors. Beautifully poised Shishi or Botan (Peony) motif on all of the lock plates with unusual scalloped cast framing surrounding each image. Warabite handles with incised Chrysanthemums along the bottoms of... Click for details

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu in 2 sections with a 3 drawer upper and 2 drawer lower design made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand made iron hardware with Urushi dark red lacquer finish and Gumbai handles. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Lock plates have hand engraved auspicious symbols with Sho Chiku Bai comprising the upper section while the crane and turtle making up the bottom section.

Sho Chiku Bai or... Click for details

An antique Japanese Zeni Bako (merchant coin box) made nearly entirely of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. All original hand made iron fittings. Rope holes at the bottom sides used to tie and secure box for transport. Top has original round coin insert with neighboring later created coin slot to accept larger coins for safekeeping. Removable cover features a hard mount iron loop allowing a lock to be added to keep it from opening. Small bottom drawer with iron loop connection was made for the same... Click for details

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress), Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) Woods. Constructed using through mortise and tenon joinery. Sliding doors hide a spacious storage area and a hinged door with hand tied wired panel behind which dry goods and items requiring air circulation were stored. The sides feature horizontal supports for strength, durability and visual aesthetics. All original iron hardware including the Warabite... Click for details

An antique Japanese hand carved wood Ranma (transom) framed in Hinoki (Cypress) and hand carved in deep relief of Akita Sugi (Northern Cryptomeria) woods. Featuring a complex multi level temple and grounds amidst a a beautiful pine tree forest with mountains and clouds in the foreground and background. Continuous elaborate design on the reverse side of the transom.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Era (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 72" Wide by 15 3/4" High by 2 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu similar to the western sideboard cabinet or chest made of Momiji (Maple) for the drawer fronts and frame and Keyaki (Zelkova) panels for the sliding doors. with the interior made of Japanese Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. Original hand made iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Floating panels for the front, sides and top to prevent the wood from cracks from expansion and shrinkage. Constructed using through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery for strength... Click for details

An antique Japanese Matsumoto Kimono Isho Tansu made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand made iron hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and the fancy lock plates with hand pounded stippling work. Each side both have side hand carrying handle as well as swivel handles through which a wood pole can be fitted allowing two persons to carry the tansu from place to place. The hinged door hides two small drawers for storing valuables. Hardened wood nails were used in its... Click for details

An antique Japanese Ranma (transom) made of Akita Sugi (northern Japan Cryptomeria) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. The frame was finished in a black Urushi lacquer while the design was hand carved in relief on both sides. It depicts a scene of a male and female flying crane (each symbolizing 1,000 years of long life and together symbolizing a harmonious partnership) gliding through a forest of gnarly pine trees (symbolizing longevity).

Traditionally the Ranma was used above the sliding... Click for details