Japanese two section isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sado Island area. Original dark reddish lacquer finish. With hand-forged iron hardware, decorative plating incised with motifs of cranes and turtles with many tails, both symbols of longevity. The lower unit holds a corner safe box with two small drawers concealed inside.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41" L x 16" D x 41" H

Charming Japanese kanban (shop sign) hand carved from solid carved Keyaki hardwood with gold gilt lettering. Carved with the image of a snarling bulldog in red lacquer and beige pigments. Shop sign for Bulldog sauce shop.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36" L x 1" D x 23" H

Unusual Japanese gyosho bako tansu (merchant's chest). With original red lacquer finish, this large piece holds three very deep drawers, each with squared kakute iron pulls on stylized pine tree mounts. The top drawer features a large central lock with flying crane motif, while the lower drawers feature chrysanthemum locks. The sides of the tansu also have two handles for traveling.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 22" W x 27" D x 39" H

Japanese two section tansu, made with Kiri (paulownia) wood with natural finish front drawers, and original black lacquered frame. The piece has pine tree shaped hand-forged iron lock plates, with warabite iron pulls. The locks are incised chrysanthemums and the corner hardware is fan iron plating. The piece holds a side lock box with a large decorative iron chrysanthemum plating and keyhole. Inside the box are two small drawers with triangular plates and round pulls. From the Sakata... Click for details

A Japanese Butsudan, or Buddhist shrine for in-home use. The exterior of the shrine is lacquered in red with black lacquer and gold gilt pigments. The gilt hardware of the butsudan are highly ornate with motifs of chrysanthemums, lotuses, vines, and dharmachakra wheels. The lower area of the shrine features two pull-out platforms and hidden drawers. Above are several black lacquered platforms with gold gilt nashiji lacquer panels, carved gilt panels of floral motifs, with miniature temple ranma... Click for details

Japanese zenibako (money safe box) made with Keyaki (zelkova) burl wood in original red lacquer finish. The zenibako is fitted with brass hardware including side handles in a mokko (melon) motif. The hinged lid has a large front lock plate with matching key, and a calligraphy inscription on the underside. The interior of the zenibako holds two open compartments.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 20 1/2" x 12" x 7 3/4" H

Japanese two section tansu made with Kiri (paulownia) wood. The chest's four front drawers feature large, round Kiri wood mon (family crest) motif lock plates , while the Warabite style drawer pulls have small pierced plates below them in the style of a crane mon. The bottom section holds a small corner safe door with two small drawers inside.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 40 1/2" x 17 1/4" x 42" H

Japanese two section clothing tansu, made with Kiri (paulownia) wood. Decorated with classic round iron locks and handles. The lower section holds a corner safe box.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 37" x 16 1/2" x 43 1/4" H

A Japanese single section Sendai tansu, constructed of Keyaki (elm) front panels and Sugi (cedar) sides, with original light finish and black lacquered frame. The drawers of this chest have large, decorative, hand-forged iron lock plates with floral motifs and mokko (melon) handles. The side of the chest has a safe door with 3 small Keyaki burl front drawers inside.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 46 3/4" x 19 1/4" x 35" H

An unusual Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) constructed of Kiri (paulownia) wood with natural finish. This unusual piece contains a top compartment behind sliding panels as well as another below it, the lower compartment containing two shelves and a set of 3 small drawers with decorative locking plates, opened by kan (ring) pulls. The middle inner drawer contains a secret hidden compartment. All in original condition.

Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions : 33" x... Click for details