Back
An authentic Japanese (1868–1912) choba tansu, crafted from kiri (paulownia) wood and reinforced with original hand-forged iron fittings. This finely made merchant’s chest reflects the ingenuity and practicality of Japan’s shopkeepers, who used such pieces to organize accounts, store money, and safeguard important documents.
The chest is designed with multiple drawers of varying sizes, a pair of sliding doors at center, and a locking compartment for valuables. Its iron hardware—including corner plates, lock plates, handles, and drawer pulls—was made for both strength and aesthetic contrast against the warm, straight-grained kiri wood. A working key survives, still tied to one of the drawer pulls, attesting to its function as a secure repository.
Choba tansu were more than utilitarian—they represented a merchant’s livelihood and trustworthiness. Kept prominently in the shop, these chests symbolized stability and order during a period of rapid economic growth in Japan. The kiri wood was prized not only for its beauty, but also for its natural resistance to fire, insects, and warping, making it an ideal material for storing important papers and money.
This example is well-preserved, complete, and showcases the balance of utility, strength, and refined simplicity that characterizes Meiji-era cabinetry. For collectors, it is both a cultural artifact and a functional decorative piece, bridging 19th-century Japanese merchant life with modern appreciation for craftsmanship.
Age: Meiji Period 1868 - 1912
Dimensions: 32 1/2" wide x 32 1/2" high x 16 1/2" deep
The chest is designed with multiple drawers of varying sizes, a pair of sliding doors at center, and a locking compartment for valuables. Its iron hardware—including corner plates, lock plates, handles, and drawer pulls—was made for both strength and aesthetic contrast against the warm, straight-grained kiri wood. A working key survives, still tied to one of the drawer pulls, attesting to its function as a secure repository.
Choba tansu were more than utilitarian—they represented a merchant’s livelihood and trustworthiness. Kept prominently in the shop, these chests symbolized stability and order during a period of rapid economic growth in Japan. The kiri wood was prized not only for its beauty, but also for its natural resistance to fire, insects, and warping, making it an ideal material for storing important papers and money.
This example is well-preserved, complete, and showcases the balance of utility, strength, and refined simplicity that characterizes Meiji-era cabinetry. For collectors, it is both a cultural artifact and a functional decorative piece, bridging 19th-century Japanese merchant life with modern appreciation for craftsmanship.
Age: Meiji Period 1868 - 1912
Dimensions: 32 1/2" wide x 32 1/2" high x 16 1/2" deep
$2,249.00
item #1508474
