Antique Japanese Choba-Tansu Two-Section Merchant Chest, Meiji period, 1868-1911 | SKU: 26J-B025

Antique Japanese Choba-tansu Two-Section Merchant Chest, Meiji period, 1868-1911 | SKU: 26J-B025

A commanding two-section tansu bearing the full weight of Meiji-era merchant craft -- iron-sheathed, lacquer-darkened, and built to endure generations.

A choba-dansu is a traditional Japanese merchant chest used in the counting rooms and storefronts of prosperous Edo and Meiji-period merchant households to safeguard documents, valuables, and daily necessities. This exceptional example presents as a matched two-section stacking chest finished in a deep persimmon-tannin lacquer that has aged to a near-black tone, with warm red-brown undertones revealed at points of natural wear. The exterior is heavily reinforced with hand-forged iron -- flat bands run along the top edges and corners, stud-nail banding spans the horizontal rails, and robust iron corner plates protect every junction. The front face of the upper cabinet is dominated by a large circular iron lockplate centered on the double doors, its lobed decorative surround and flower-head studs marking the work of a skilled Meiji-era ironsmith. Iron bar-style side carrying handles on both sections confirm this chest was designed to be portable as well as secure -- a hallmark of authentic Japanese antique furniture built for merchant life. The unfinished natural wood interiors of the drawers and upper cabinet reveal straight, pale grain consistent with a quality softwood secondary timber, while the exterior carcass displays the dense, tight-grained character of a durable hardwood species.

In a modern home this choba-dansu makes an extraordinary living room accent or entryway console, its bold iron hardware and wabi-sabi aesthetic pairing naturally with Japandi style interiors, dark-wood mid-century modern schemes, or raw industrial loft spaces. The upper locking cabinet is ideal for concealing items you want both secure and out of sight -- spirits, tech accessories, or keepsakes -- while the graduated pull-out drawers below offer generous everyday storage. It works equally well as a bedroom dresser or home office storage cabinet, bringing the gravitas of genuine Japanese antique furniture to any setting. A rare and considered gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese craft with a true sense of history.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Meiji period, 1868-1911
• Material: Hardwood carcass with kiri wood (paulownia) or similar softwood drawer interiors; deep persimmon-tannin lacquer exterior finish; hand-forged iron hardware throughout
• Use: Two-section merchant storage chest (choba-dansu) for securing valuables, documents, and household goods in a Japanese merchant residence or counting room
• Modern Use: Entryway console or statement cabinet; bedroom dresser or living room accent; home office storage with locking upper compartment
• Features: Two stacking sections with iron side carrying handles on each; upper section with double doors secured by a large circular iron lockplate with lobed decorative surround and flower-head studs; iron bar banding, corner reinforcements, and stud-nail detailing across the full exterior; multiple pull-out drawers fitted with iron ring pulls; warm natural wood drawer interiors contrasting with near-black lacquered exterior; red undercoat visible at wear points
• Dimensions: 37 1/2"W x 16 3/4"D x 40 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A monumental piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this choba-dansu brings the iron-bound authority of Meiji merchant craft directly into the 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.