An antique Japanese Gyosho Bako also known as a merchant peddler's chest with the outer case and hinged door made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and the inner drawers and drawer floor boards made of Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron fittings. Side handles swivel up allowing a wood or bamboo pole to slide through so that two attendants can easily transport the chest. Alternatively, the horizontal wooden bar securing a rope in conjunction with the two rope... Click for details

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant store chest) made of Kuwa (old Mulberry) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original hand made iron fittings and finish. Two center hinged doors are removable with the hook and loop style hinge design. Front Warabite handles with two carrying handles on each side for positioning the chest and the additional swivel handles used with a wood pole to carry the chest from place to place. Lower right hinged door hides 3 smaller drawers.

Merchant... Click for details

An antique Japanese Katana Tansu (sword chest) made entirely of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. All original hand made iron fittings including the Hirute drawer handles. Some loss to the metal commensurate with its age. Large top drawer stored the Katana, medium drawer stored the Wakazashi and the small drawer stored the polishing tools and extra hardware.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 44 1/4" Wide x 12" High x 12" Deep

Antique historic map showing Commodore Perry first arrival in Japan in 1853 showing survey of " Harbor of Napha" with water depth readings, reef areas and harbor details showing "Junk Harbor", surrounding terrain and structures. The landing site was on Ryukyu Island nowadays called Okinawa, four ships with modern cannons and weapons, one of the ships a steel-hold using coal power. The technology far surpassed the local japanese government which had to largely acquiesce to his dominion. This... Click for details

A rare antique Japanese Kusuri Tansu (herbal medicine pharmacist chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original finish and hand made iron fittings. Includes swivel side carrying handles which when flipped up allowed a wood or bamboo pole to slide through allowing two attendants to carry the chest about. Sliding doors allowed access to a storage area where herbal books, customer notes and prescriptions were stored. Total of 86 drawers make up this... Click for details

An antique Japanese Edo era Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original finish and hand made iron fittings. Made with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Original used to store daily documents, ephemera, small utilitarian accessories and personal items. Present day uses include using it as a small side table or a bedside nightstand.

Size: 19 7/8"W 14 3/8"D 14 3/4"H Age: early Edo Period (1644-1868)

An antique Japanese low Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria). Two sliding doors open to a spacious storage area with a removable shelf. Originally this chest was used for the storage of water jars. Present day uses would include doubling as a stereo cabinet or acting as a beautiful buffet.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1900)

Dimensions: 42" Wide x 33" High x 16 1/2" Deep

Asian archaic clay jar with design of fish nets in soft red hue, clay showing signs of roots, repairs to lip.

East Bay Collection
Dates Approximately 1500 BC
Size H 9 1/4" x W 9"

An antique Japanese Kimono Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand made iron fittings with an open ceremonial fan design on the lock plates and Hirute drawer handles. Recessed hidden side handles on the upper section. The bottom section features slightly exposed side handles serving a dual purpose both as carrying handles as well as locking connections to the upper half of the tansu.

Age: Late Meiji Period... Click for details

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant storage box) made of Kurinoki (Chestnut) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand made iron fittings including the Hirute drawer handles and the Warabite carrying handle. It features unique Cherry blossom escutcheons behind the drawer handles and a coin slot at the top that drops into the top left drawer. The other 5 drawers were used to safely keep small store valuables.

Signed at the base that translates to read: "Made Meiji 40... Click for details