Antique Japanese Two Section Kimono tansu, Taisho era, circa 1912-1926 | SKU: 26J-A069

Antique Japanese Two Section Kimono tansu, Taisho era, circa 1912-1926 | SKU: 26J-A069

A stately two-section Isho tansu clothing chest with double-door cabinet, pull-out interior tray, and multiple drawers -- a rare surviving example of Taisho-era Japanese antique furniture in exceptional condition.

A Kimono tansu is a traditional Japanese clothing chest designed to store folded garments, obi sashes, and precious textiles with care. During the Taisho era (1912-1926), Japanese cabinetmakers elevated this form into a refined expression of domestic craftsmanship, combining generous interior storage with understated elegance. This handcrafted Japanese Kimono tansu is constructed in a straight-grained hardwood -- consistent with keyaki (zelkova) in its fine, tight grain and warm honey tone -- and is divided into two distinct sections. The upper cabinet opens via a pair of hinged double doors to reveal a spacious interior fitted with a pull-out tray shelf and open shelving below, ideal for stacking folded kimono. Iron corner fittings with decorative scalloped edges reinforce the cabinet's corners in the classic tansu tradition, while a central brass ring-pull lock with its original cord-attached key secures the doors. The lower section presents multiple wide drawers, each fitted with a pair of brass bail handles and a diamond-shaped brass lock escutcheon in a delicate pierced-petal motif -- hardware that speaks to the refined metalwork sensibility of the period.

At over five feet tall and nearly three and a half feet wide, this Kimono tansu commands attention as a statement piece in any room. In a modern home, it transitions effortlessly into a bedroom wardrobe or linen cabinet, offering generous hanging-free textile storage in a Japandi style interior. The deep drawers make it equally suited as a living room media console or entryway furniture piece, with the lockable upper cabinet providing concealed storage for valuables or display items. Its warm wood tone and restrained silhouette pair naturally with mid-century modern and wabi-sabi aesthetic interiors alike, and the substantial scale makes it a truly unique housewarming gift or standout acquisition for collectors of antique Japanese craft. Inspected by Harada.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Taisho, circa 1912-1926
• Material: Straight-grained hardwood, possibly keyaki (zelkova); iron corner fittings with scalloped edges; brass bail handles and diamond-shaped brass lock escutcheons; original brass ring-pull door lock with key
• Use: Storage of folded kimono, obi, and textiles in the upper cabinet; general garment and accessory storage in the lower drawers
• Modern Use: Bedroom wardrobe or linen cabinet; living room media console or display cabinet; entryway furniture with concealed storage
• Features: Two-section construction; upper section with double hinged doors, interior pull-out tray shelf, and fixed open shelf below; iron scalloped corner fittings; central door lock with original cord-attached key; lower section with multiple wide drawers, each fitted with brass bail handles and pierced brass lock escutcheons; warm straight-grain wood throughout
• Dimensions: 37 1/2"W x 18"D x 63"H
• Condition: Excellent

A commanding example of Japanese antique furniture -- this Taisho-era Kimono tansu brings over a century of quiet craftsmanship and enduring beauty 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.