Unusual Japanese two-section choba tansu (merchant's chest), made with Kiri (paulownia) front hardwood, Sugi (cedar) sides, and two large Keyaki (elm) sliding door panels with a roomy, shelved interior space. Each drawer opens with hirute style iron handles and a simple squared lock. Its sides are reinforced with horizontal slats.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 47.5" L x 16" W x 64" H

Antique Japanese isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area, made with all Keyaki (elm) wood front with dramatic grain and translucent lacquer finish, elaborate thick iron hardware including moko shaped drawer pulls and ornate raised scrolling vine lock plates with floral mon, large drawer on top, three shorter drawers, two small drawers and a safebox on its right side, which also has ornate iron lotus mon and opens with a ring pull.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size:... Click for details

Antique Japanese black lacquered cha tansu (tea display cabinet) with fabulous, intricate inlay designs of temple scenes, peacocks, and floral motifs. From the southernmost Japanese island known as Ryukyu.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 31.75" L x 12.5" W x 34.5" H

Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship safe chest) made all of quarter sawn cut Keyaki (elm) wood with revealing natural woodgrain and finish. Cut out appliqué hardware with incised floral motifs adorns the body of the tansu. There are six drawers altogether.

Late Edo period (1603-1868)

Size: 21" L x 16.5" W x 18" H

Pvt. Zentner Family Collection

Rare Japanese antique choba tansu made of keyaki (elm) wood. The top portion has a compartment with sliding panels and horizontal slats. The bottom portion of the chest has two safe boxes with heavy iron hardware, one opening to the left and one opening to the right. Inside each safe box is a series of four small kiri (paulownia) wood drawers. Between the safes are two keyaki drawers with heavy iron lock plates. This chest has 3 working keys and... Click for details

Very unusual antique Japanese matching pair of black lacquer gyosho bako (peddler's boxes). Each has a full height door with eight hand forged brass hinges in stunning original patina. One box opens to a large compartment. The other opens to a series of 5 drawers of different sizes. Each box has a square hole for a carrying pole.
This piece would have been used to carry and store a merchants livelihood. Selling objects or services carried out by the tools store inside. A Thick... Click for details

Rare Japanese Funa Tansu (captain's ship chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood in original medium brown finish. The upper portion has a large front drawer with kakute (squared) iron handles and decorative iron plating, lined in attractive silver rice paper. The bottom portion is very unusual because the right door opens on a hinge while the left door slides on a track revealing four small drawers also lined in silver rice paper. The front of each door is covered extensively in iron decorative... Click for details

Japanese Keyaki (zelkova) choba tansu (merchant chest) with complete original lacquer finish. Quartered sawn keyaki hardwood relieving the distinctive woodgrain seen on all sides. Solid Keyaki hardwood used in every part of construction. Adorned in heavy iron hardware and original locking bar. Excellent original condition. Working keys are included. This is a top example of a Edo period Japanese Choba Tansu.

Edo period 19th Century

Size: 23.5" H x 27.5" L x 14.25"... Click for details

Antique Japanese nagamochi karuma storage trunk. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood and solid Keyaki hardwood wheels with iron hardware and mounts. A large high relief embossed iron locking plate in the form of a phoenix created a lock and latch system on the front of the trunk. The phoenix bird represents justice and Sun obedience. Untouched and original condition, the wood is treated with a dry lacquer finish.

The Trunk also shows the family crest composed of iron mounts on the... Click for details

Rare and unusual Antique Japanese Keyaki (elm) burl chose tansu. The pair of sliding doors has elegantly hand carved paneling with multiple storage shelving within. Bold pierced iron hardware decorating each drawer corner with kakute (square) handles and locks. Stunning original deep red finish complimenting the natural burl woodgrain. Excellent hardware and unusual design. Edo Period (circa 1840's). Size: 36" H x 35" L x 15"D