An antique Japanese Ko Choba Tansu (small merchant chest) made of Sakuranoki (Cherry Wood) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria). All original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. The front hinged door hides 7 drawers of varying sizes.

Originally used by a merchant to keep valuables and store records and documents. In a present day home, this chest would function well as a side table or an accent piece.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions:... Click for details

An antique Japanese Kaidan Tansu (stair chest) in 2 sections made of Hinoki (Cypress), Aka Matsu (Red Pine) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the stylized Hirute handles. 7 steps with an added riser at the top. Each step is a short 5" long with a 10 1/4" riser and a left to right incline. 4 drawers with a hinged door for spacious storage.

It was used back in the day in a city situated 2 story home where space was limited and every inch of... Click for details

A beautiful burl Keyaki wood early 19th century Funa Ko Tansu (Captains's document chest). Frame is made of solid keyaki wood with interior drawers made of soft kiri wood. Original urushi warm transparent lacquer finish with hand forged iron hardware and copper side carrying handles. Unique ring pull faux drawer front that doubles as a lift-out door hiding two small drawers.

Mounted on custom iron stand

Late Edo Period (1603 - 1868) C. 19th Century... Click for details

An antique Japanese Chobako (small merchant chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Original and beautiful transparent Urushi lacquer finish showcases the underlying magnificent wood grain. Hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles on the 2 large drawers and the Hirute handle on the small security drawer. Minor sumi ink stains in the upper right drawer suggests that an inkstone and brushes were stored there for writing store records and receipts.... Click for details

An antique Japanese Gyosho Bako (peddler's chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand forged iron hardware with four articulated bottom loops to allow through a carrying cord. Four exposed drawers with 6 hidden drawers behind the hinged security door. Beautiful rustic charm that makes for a functional side table or a one-of-a-kind collector's tansu.

Age: Edo Period (1750-1800)

Dimensions: 11" Wide by 36 1/4" High by 16 3/4" Deep

A rare antique Japanese Kyushu Choba Tansu (merchant chest from Kyushu island) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The frame of the chest was made using Suginoki wood measuring a very thick 1 1/ 8". Constructed with straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. It has 5 drawers and a pair of hinged doors that open to a spacious storage area with a split level shelf. All original hand forged iron hardware.

Age: Early Meiji Period... Click for details

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. It has a configuration of 9 drawers, a pair of Biraki-Do (hinged doors) hiding a center shelf and a thief's door behind which lies two more small drawers. Two side lift-up handles through which a bamboo pole would go allowing two persons to carry this tansu from place to place.

Originating in the Tohoku region of Japan,... Click for details

A rare antique Japanese large Kannon Biraki Tansu made entirely of thick Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails, this specially commissioned tansu was custom designed and made for a bride's dowry. Its purpose was for storing the bride's wedding kimono and accoutrements after the ceremony . Unlike the traditional wedding kimono chest where the bottom half is usually just drawers and sometimes a hinged door, this one features a pair of... Click for details

An antique Japanese rare Kannon Biraki tansu (bridal chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original natural Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the possible Mikumo family crest on the center locks. Double hinged doors behind which the upper section has 3 full width drawers and the bottom section has numerous smaller drawers with a lift out door hiding two additional drawers. An ingenious trick locking mechanism locks those two drawers from opening unless... Click for details

A rare antique Japanese Omikuji Tansu (temple fortune telling chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Original Urushi lacquer over a Bengara stain. Hand made and hand forged iron hardware. Japanese straight dovetail joinery with hardened wood nail construction.

Used in a Shinto Shrine or Buddhist Temple to store paper fortunes for visitors and worshippers. With 100 total drawers, it would be the perfect chest for organizing photos, trading cards, postcards, or any collection of... Click for details