Rare large Japanese locking bar tansu made of solid gorgeous quartered sawn Keyaki (elm) hardwood. Finished in its original translucent lacquer finish with a black lacquer frame and dark red lacquer front, top, and sides. The unusual configuration of the chest has not one but two symmetrical hinged safe doors on the left and right sides, two recessed drawers in the center with a locking bar running vertically in front of them, ornate hand-forged iron plates and mounts with Kiri leaf mon, and... Click for details

Japanese 2 section Mizuya (kitchen chest of drawers) made with Hinoki (cypress) wood frame and Sugi (cedar) panels, with natural hardwood burl front drawers panels. The top section is configured with two small and three very small drawers below a large interior compartment. The sliding panels are decorated with carved wood accents and copper pulls with floral medallions. The bottom section holds the largest interior compartment behind sliding panels. The sides of the chest are slatted... Click for details

Japanese 2 section Kiri (paulownia) isho tansu, or clothing chest of drawers. With hand forged iron hardware and pulls with chrysanthemum studs beneath. The top and sides of each section are branded with a medicine gourd bottle signature.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33 3/4" x 15 3/4" x 41 3/4" H

Japanese two section tansu made of Kiri (paulownia) natural finish wood. With hand forged iron hardware incised with motifs of cherry blossoms and fans.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 34 1/2" x 15 3/4" x 40 1/2"

Antique Japanese hibachi or coal brazier, constructed of heavy Keyaki (elm) hardwood with natural burl grain in a The frame of the brazier and drawers are done in kurogaki (black persimmon wood). The copper lining with original patina from oxidation.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 27 1/2" x 16" x 13 1/2" H

Unusual Japanese Kiri wood stacking box, comprised of 9 shallow compartments for the storage of calligraphy implements. The edges of each compartment are reinforced with hand-forged iron plates. The lowermost compartment has a single pull out drawer with a kakute iron pull and lock.

Edo period

Dimensions: 18 1/2" x 11 1/2" x 27 1/2"

Japanese dark lacquered Funa Tansu, or ship safe box with heavy hand-forged iron hardware and plates. The interior of the box holds six small drawers opened by kan (ring) pulls, one with a lock plate. The piece has a warabite handle for carrying on top.

Edo period

Dimensions: 16 3/4" x 11 1/2" x 13 3/4"

Japanese two section futon tansu made with solid Keyaki (zelkova) hardwood. The top section holds a large open compartment behind two sliding Keyaki burl front panels with openwork carvings. Below are three drawers with mokko shaped iron pulls. The bottom section has another pair of sliding panels with horizontal slats. Behind the left panel are two large drawers and behind the right panel are two drawers and a small safe door with ornate iron plates, holding a third drawer inside. Beautiful... Click for details

An unusual Japanese Keyaki burl front bar tansu. The drawer faces are each labeled in Japanese kanji. The top "drawer" is actually a lift away panel. The middle two drawers are slightly recessed behind a vertical locking bar with ornate iron plates. The lowermost drawer face has a middle iron lock plate continuously below the locking bar. When the bar is removed, more kanji is written in sumi ink, possibly with the identity of the original owner. With iron kakute squared drawer pulls and iron... Click for details

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) made of keyaki (elm) wood burl with heavy iron hardware. The upper most portion of the chest has a large full width drawer above a compartment with sliding panels. The middle of the tansu has a horizontal row of three small drawers. The bottom portion of the tansu has a series of three drawers stacked in a vertical row and held in place with a locking bar. The lower right has a safe box with with two small interior drawers and an exterior... Click for details