Antique Japanese Cha Tansu Tea Chest, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-C036

Japanese Cha-Tansu Tea Chest | Antique Display Cabinet & Living Room Shelving Unit, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-C036

A rare asymmetric cha-tansu in deeply lacquered hardwood -- an extraordinary piece of Japanese antique furniture for the discerning collector.

A cha-tansu is a traditional Japanese tea cabinet designed to organize and display the many utensils, canisters, and accessories central to the chado (tea ceremony) practice. Unlike the simpler kiri-wood tansu used for clothing storage, cha-tansu were typically crafted from denser, harder woods capable of taking a refined finish, and were considered display furniture as much as storage. This exceptional example -- dating to the Early Showa period (1927-1945) -- is built in an asymmetric, staggered shelving format known as dan-bukuro, combining open display shelves at varying heights with hinged cabinet compartments and a shallow pull-out drawer at the base. The entire piece is finished in a deep ebonized lacquer that accentuates the richly grained hardwood panels, particularly visible in the recessed door panels where bold linear figure catches the light. Rounded mortise-and-tenon joinery and turned drop pulls on the upper cabinet doors reflect the refined craftsmanship of a skilled Japanese antique furniture maker working in the pre-war tradition.

Today this cha-tansu translates beautifully into a wide range of modern interiors. Its stepped, asymmetric silhouette makes it an ideal living room accent piece -- use the open shelves to display ceramics, sculptural objects, or art books, while the enclosed cabinet compartments keep clutter out of sight. It works equally well as a Japandi-style entryway console or a home office storage unit, where its dark lacquer finish adds depth and gravitas. With its blend of open display and hidden storage, it is also a striking bar cabinet alternative or a curio display for collectors. A truly unique gift for Japanophiles or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese antique furniture with genuine provenance.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Richly grained hardwood, possibly keyaki (zelkova) or kuri (chestnut), with deep ebonized lacquer finish
• Use: Tea ceremony cabinet (cha-tansu) -- organized storage and display of tea utensils, canisters, and accessories
• Modern Use: Living room display shelving unit; Japandi-style entryway console; home office storage or curio cabinet
• Features: Asymmetric dan-bukuro stepped shelving layout; multiple open display shelves at varied heights; hinged cabinet doors with recessed raised panels at upper and lower sections; shallow pull-out drawer at base; turned drop pulls; deep ebonized lacquer finish; rounded frame joinery throughout
• Dimensions: 27 1/2"W x 13"D x 30"H
• Condition: Excellent

A masterpiece of handcrafted Japanese antique furniture -- this cha-tansu brings the quiet elegance of the chado tradition 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 vintage and 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.