Antique Japanese Cha Tansu Tea Chest, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-C039

Japanese Cha Tansu Tea Cabinet | Antique Sideboard & Living Room Display Shelf, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-C039

A rare Early Showa cha tansu with stepped interior shelving, small drawers, and a signature oval cutout -- handcrafted Japanese antique furniture at its most expressive.

A cha tansu is a traditional Japanese tea cabinet designed to organize and display the tools of the tea ceremony -- storing canisters, utensils, and serving vessels with quiet elegance. This example, dating to the Early Showa period (1927-1945), exhibits the transitional character of that era: the open framework and stepped inner shelving retain the refined sensibility of earlier craft traditions, while the compact, upright form reflects a move toward practical household furniture. The cabinet is constructed from a warm, deeply stained hardwood -- the bold linear grain on the small drawer fronts suggests kaki (persimmon) or a similarly figured Japanese timber -- set against a sugi (cryptomeria) or comparable softwood for the main carcass. A carved circular cutout in the right side panel adds a deliberate decorative accent, and the stepped inner shelf with its scallop-edged gallery rail speaks to the meticulous joinery of handcrafted Japanese antique furniture. Small metal drawer pulls with a dark patina complete the traditional hardware aesthetic.

In a modern home, this cha tansu adapts beautifully beyond its original purpose. Style it as a living room accent piece -- the open shelving is ideal for displaying ceramics, potted succulents, or art books in a Japandi or wabi-sabi aesthetic. The lower sliding-door compartment offers discreet storage for remotes, cables, or barware, making it equally at home as an entryway console or a compact bar cabinet. The small upper drawers are perfectly sized for stationery or jewelry, suiting it for bedroom decor or a home office corner. With its warm chestnut tones and sculptural silhouette, it also makes a distinctive housewarming gift for collectors or Japanophiles who appreciate one-of-a-kind vintage Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Hardwood, possibly sugi (cryptomeria) carcass with kaki (persimmon) or similarly figured hardwood drawer fronts; dark stained finish; metal drawer pulls
• Use: Tea cabinet (cha tansu) for organizing tea ceremony utensils, canisters, and serving ware
• Modern Use: Living room display shelf or Japandi accent cabinet; entryway console with concealed storage; compact bar cabinet or bedroom organizer
• Features: Open upper bay with stepped inner shelving and scallop-edged gallery rail; small pull-out drawers with dark metal bail pulls and boldly grained fronts; lower sliding-door compartment; decorative oval cutout on the right side panel; flat top surface; raised base plinth
• Dimensions: 22"W x 11 1/2"D x 25 1/2"H
• Condition: Good antique condition -- consistent with age and use; warm patina throughout.

A sculptural piece of Japanese antique furniture that brings the quiet ritual of the tea tradition into any modern living space.

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.