An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand made iron fittings including the Warabite handles and finish. The front has a natural Kirinoki wood finish while the case was finished in a wiped Urushi lacquer technique. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" Wide x 20" High x 13" Deep

An antique Japanese Cha Tansu made from solid Keyaki (Zelkova) & Keyaki Burl woods with a Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood drawer back. Removable trick shelves behind the sliding side by side doors. Original bronze fittings and a lucky Gourd carved drawer handle out of Kakinoki (Persimmon) wood with the same wood used for the sliding door handles...

Pair Japanese Cedar Wood Miso Merchant's Storage Tubs, or Barrels, Ca. 1940, 14 1/2" high include cover, 14" diameter top rim, heavy twisted Bamboo ropes wrapped around, lacquered chestnut color outside, Kanji writings for date and shop name on bottom for both barrels, inside is unfinished and shows beautiful aged old wood grains. The condition is good, no damages.

An antique Japanese Sendai Ko Bo Tansu (personal chest with locking bar) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron hardware with Warabite handles. The bottom main drawer has a lock plate that features the lucky Sho Chiku Bai motif with a crane and a turtle added for additional good luck and longevity. The hinged door has two small drawers hidden behind. Also, there is natural built-up patina surrounding the metal-work...

A rare antique Japanese optometrist roll top tansu complete with lenses and glasses. Original navy corduroy covered pull-out shelf with two side by side storage drawers. The display case of lenses double as a removable tray for portable transport from room to room or place to place. Made of Tochinoki (Horse Chestnut) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods...

A low Japanese Negoro incense table with many layers of black, red, and translucent lacquer pigment. Naturally worn finish consistent with age an use. European style hand carved leg and foot. Original hardware of hand forged iron. Traditionally used as a low stand to raise up an incensor.

Edo Period 18th Century

13 1/2" long X 11" wide X 6 3/4" high

An antique Japanese 2 section Nagoya Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress), Akita Sugi (Cryptomeria from the Akita region) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original iron fittings. Constructed using mortise and tenon & through mortise and tenon joinery as well as hardened wood nails. There are side horizontal slats for added strength and support. The top sliding door panels were decorated with beautiful flowing grain Akita Sugi wood boards...

Japanese Two(2) pieces U shape heavy Black Wrought Iron Side Locks, 9" high, 3 1/2" wide(maximum outer measurement, 8 3/4" high, 3" wide, (inner measurement), 1/2" thick, Pin(2 1/2" deep), this set looks like two(2) divided area to put through heavy wood Rod for both sides and carry on two(2) men's shoulder, one in front and one in the back, with original attached heavy duty Iron nails or pins.

Three(3) pieces Japanese heavy weight Black Wrought Iron U Shape side Locks and Handles, side handles for 2 pieces Tansu(chest on chest), Tansu side handles for top piece, and use as a lock to the top piece from lower piece together as one(1) Tansu, 6" high, 3 5/8" wide=maximum outer measurement), 5 3/8" high, 2 5/8" wide=inner measurement).

Seven(7) pieces heavy weight Black Wrought Iron and Brass Japanese Tansu or Furniture Hardware, 2 handles with original nail(larger=3 3/8" wide inner measurement, 3 3/4" wide=outer, 1 3/4" high), (smaller=2 5/8" wide=outer measurement, 2 3/8" inner),1 1/4" high), corner(2" x 2" wide), round ring(1 3/4" diameter), small roung ring with flower shape back plate(ring=1 1/8" diameter, nail=1 1/2" deep), roung small nail(nail head=1/2" diameter, 1 1/2" deep), long brass piece(5 3/4" long, 1/2" wide).

Two(2) Japanese Black Wrought Iron heavy weight solid Tansu Chest Hardware or Drawer Handles, 2 different sizes, Larger handle with carved pierced Back plate(7" wide, 1 1/8" high=outer measurement, and original nail and hole(4 1/4" wide). Smaller handle only without back plate(5" wide outer maximum measurement, 3" wide(inner top measurement), 1 5/8" high maximum height.

A rare Edo era Gyosho Tansu (peddler's chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand made iron hardware and original dark wiped lacquer technique finish. Unusual features include the front to back swivel carrying handles and three secret compartment boxes. One box hides to the back of either shelf tricking a thief to think that he/she found the precious treasure...

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hardware including the Warabite bronze handles and hand made iron fittings. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Two small drawers are hidden behind the hinged door.

Chests such as these were used primarily by a Japanese family to store their documents, letters, ephemera, photos and other treasured keepsakes...

An antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand made iron hardware including the Kakute front drawer handles and the Warabite side carrying handles. Construction includes straight dovetail joinery with hardened wooden nails. Lock plates include parallel vertical bars that double as decorative as well as strong security connectors preventing easy removal from the drawer fronts...

An antique Japanese Yosegi Kobako (marquetry personal drawer box) from the Hakone region made of various natural colored woods with a Hinoki (Cypress) structure and drawer backs. The expert craftsmanship is quite evident by how the front marquetry design flows seamlessly across all of the drawers while the horizontal and vertical marquetry of the top and sides adds texture and dimension to the piece.

Yosegi is a centuries old traditional Japanese craft that began in the late Edo era...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant box) made of thick Hinoki (Cypress) and thick Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Straight dovetail joinery with hardened wooden nail construction. Original bronze and iron hardware. Two different sized coin slots at the top of the box. Includes a working key.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 10 7/8" Side x 12" High x 11 7/8" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Uncommon and rare small size. The sides feature horizontal cross ribs for added strength and durability. Its construction included mortise and tenon as well as through mortise and tenon joinery. Behind the two sets of sliding doors are storage areas originally used to keep business store records and ledgers...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant's chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. The sides of the chest feature horizontal cross ribs for added strength and durability. Constructed using mortise & tenon, through mortise & tenon, and double through mortise & tenon joinery...