A rare Edo era Gyosho Tansu (peddler's chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand made iron hardware and original dark wiped lacquer technique finish. Unusual features include the front to back swivel carrying handles and three secret compartment boxes. One box hides to the back of either shelf tricking a thief to think that he/she found the precious treasure. Behind each of the two bottom drawers also hides secret boxes where the real treasure is kept.

This... Click for details

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hardware including the Warabite bronze handles and hand made iron fittings. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Two small drawers are hidden behind the hinged door.

Chests such as these were used primarily by a Japanese family to store their documents, letters, ephemera, photos and other treasured keepsakes. It was often... Click for details

An antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand made iron hardware including the Kakute front drawer handles and the Warabite side carrying handles. Construction includes straight dovetail joinery with hardened wooden nails. Lock plates include parallel vertical bars that double as decorative as well as strong security connectors preventing easy removal from the drawer fronts. There are two small drawers behind the hinged door and behind the... Click for details

A unique antiqueJapanese suiban inlaid with natural mother of pearl red lacquer over wood. Suiban are traditionally shallow oval or rectangular dishes used to display viewing stones (suiseki). Suiseki. Japanese viewing stones. 水石 - Suiseki is the Japanese art of stone appreciation, which values aspects like stability, longevity and immortality. Formed through time by wind and water, stones can take several sizes and shapes, reminding us of natural objects.

Beautiful... Click for details

Antique Japanese natural burl wood low stand or pedestal. Stunning original warm lacquer lighter tones with darker touches of brown and black. Shapely form as the burl sways right then drifts upward and to the left as it flattens out onto a perfect surface.
Would make for an excellent side table for a contemporary home.

Edo Period C. 19th Century

18" x 13" x 22 1/2" High

An antique Japanese Yosegi Kobako (marquetry personal drawer box) from the Hakone region made of various natural colored woods with a Hinoki (Cypress) structure and drawer backs. The expert craftsmanship is quite evident by how the front marquetry design flows seamlessly across all of the drawers while the horizontal and vertical marquetry of the top and sides adds texture and dimension to the piece.

Yosegi is a centuries old traditional Japanese craft that began in the late Edo era. The... Click for details

An antique Japanese Kyodai (mirror stand) made of Toneriko (Tamo Ash) and Tochonoki (Horse Chestnut) woods. Original bronze fittings and finish. The bottom support panel features a relief hand carving of a flying crane, a sea turtle, a pine tree and bamboo, all good luck symbols representing longevity and strength. The mirror itself swivels to allow for close-up as well as full length views.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho Era (1900-1920)

Dimensions: 24" Wide x 51 1/4" High x 11 1/2" Deep... Click for details

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

An antique Japanese 2 section Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Uncommon and rare small size. The sides feature horizontal cross ribs for added strength and durability. Its construction included mortise and tenon as well as through mortise and tenon joinery. Behind the two sets of sliding doors are storage areas originally used to keep business store records and ledgers. 7 drawers total with two additional drawers behind the hinged... Click for details

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant's chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The sides of the chest feature horizontal cross ribs for added strength and durability. Constructed using mortise & tenon, through mortise & tenon, and double through mortise & tenon joinery. Use of hardened wood nails. The sliding doors open to an expansive storage space that was used to keep store records and books.

Age: Late Meiji-Taisho Era... Click for details