Antique Japanese Black Lacquerd Sugi Wood Ko tansu With Distinctive Hardware And Stand, Meiji era 1868-1911

Antique Japanese Black Lacquerd Sugi Wood Ko tansu With Distinctive Hardware And Stand, Meiji era 1868-1911

A boldly lacquered sugi wood tansu with deeply embossed iron fittings -- a rare and striking example of Meiji-era Japanese antique furniture.

A Kimono tansu is a traditional Japanese clothing chest designed to store folded kimono and fine garments flat, protecting delicate silk from dust and humidity. This handcrafted Japanese Kimono tansu dates to the Meiji era (1868-1911), a period of energetic cultural exchange when Japanese craftsmen refined their ironwork to remarkable levels of artistry. The chest features multiple wide drawers finished in deep black lacquer over a sugi (Japanese cedar) body -- the warm, straight-grained sugi interior clearly visible when the drawers are opened. Each drawer front is anchored by a large, heavily embossed iron lock plate depicting naturalistic motifs of birds, blossoms, and scrolling foliage, wrought with the confident hand of a skilled Meiji-period metalworker. Cloud-scroll shaped iron pull handles flank each plate, and iron corner reinforcements protect every edge. Side ring handles confirm the chest was designed for transport, a hallmark of the traditional tansu form. The chest rests on a later plain black wooden stand that elevates it to a comfortable working height.

In a modern home, this antique Kimono tansu makes a dramatic statement as a bedroom dresser or entryway console -- its wide, deep drawers offering generous storage for folded clothing, linens, or accessories. The all-black lacquer exterior and bold iron hardware pair beautifully with Japandi style interiors, wabi-sabi aesthetic spaces, or even a moody mid-century modern living room. Styled with a few curated objects on top, it becomes a living room accent piece or sideboard that anchors the room. Its generous surface and deep drawers also make it ideal as a home office credenza. A compelling gift for collectors of Japanese antique furniture or anyone who appreciates the intersection of craft and function.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Meiji, 1868-1911
• Material: Sugi wood (Japanese cedar) body with black lacquer finish; embossed iron lock plates, corner reinforcements, pull handles, and side ring handles; later black wooden stand
• Use: Storage of folded kimono and clothing
• Modern Use: Bedroom dresser or clothing storage; entryway console with display surface; living room sideboard or home office credenza
• Features: Multiple wide drawers with deeply embossed iron lock plates depicting birds and floral motifs; cloud-scroll shaped iron pull handles on each drawer; iron corner reinforcements throughout; iron side ring handles for carrying; warm sugi wood grain visible on drawer interiors; chest elevated on a later plain black wooden stand
• Dimensions: 33 1/2"W x 16 1/4"D x 39 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A commanding piece of Japanese antique furniture -- its lacquered surfaces and masterful ironwork bring over a century of Meiji craftsmanship into any modern home.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.