Antique Japanese Kodansu Multi-Drawer Personal Chest, Taisho era (1912-1926) | SKU: 26J-0295

Antique Japanese Kobako Multi-Drawer Personal Chest, Taisho era (1912-1926) | SKU: 26J-0295

A compact multi-drawer personal chest with bold iron hardware -- a rare survivor of Taisho-era handcraft.

A Kobako is a small Japanese personal chest used to secure and organize valuables, documents, seals, or correspondence close at hand -- often kept on a writing desk or beside a sleeping area. This antique Kobako dates to the Taisho era (1912-1926) and is built from a richly grained hardwood, possibly keyaki (zelkova), displaying the warm amber tones and open linear grain characteristic of quality Japanese cabinetry of the period. The compact, upright form houses multiple pull-out drawers of varying depths, with the lower section divided into a pair of side-by-side smaller compartments -- a classic layout seen in handcrafted Japanese antique furniture of the era. The joinery is tight and the drawer boxes retain much of their original wood tone, with ink markings visible on the interior base -- a charming mark of past ownership.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese Kobako is as practical as it is decorative. Use it as a jewelry box and personal accessories organizer on a bedroom dresser, a desktop organizer for pens, stamps, and small stationery in a home office, or a bedside accent holding everyday essentials. Its wabi-sabi aesthetic and bold iron hardware make it an ideal statement piece in a Japandi-style interior or any minimalist decor setting. Compact enough to sit on a shelf or side table, it makes a unique housewarming gift or a standout gift for collectors of Japanese antique furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Taisho, approximately 1912-1926
• Material: Richly grained hardwood, possibly keyaki (zelkova); blackened iron bail handles, decorative iron lockplates, and ring pulls
• Use: Personal storage chest for valuables, documents, or small items -- used on a desk or beside a sleeping area
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and accessories organizer; home office desktop organizer; bedside accent or decorative storage in a Japandi-style room
• Features: Multiple pull-out drawers of varying depths; lower section divided into a pair of smaller side-by-side compartments; each drawer fitted with a cast iron bail handle or ring pull; decorative iron lockplates with keyhole escutcheons; aged patina and ink markings on drawer interiors; softly rounded top corners
• Dimensions: 9"W x 14"D x 13"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and functional piece of Japanese antique furniture -- its century-old iron hardware and warm wood grain bring authentic wabi-sabi character to any modern home or office.

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.