Antique Japanese Two Section Choba Tansu Merchant Chest, 1900 - 1911 (Late Meiji) | SKU: 26M-D406

Japanese Choba Tansu Merchant Chest | Antique Storage Cabinet & Entryway Console, 1868-1911 (Meiji), SKU 26M-D406

A rare two-section choba tansu from the late Meiji era -- a commanding statement piece in handcrafted Japanese antique furniture.

A choba tansu is a traditional Japanese merchant chest used in the front-of-house office, or choba, of a merchant family's shop or residence. These imposing cabinets were the nerve center of daily commerce -- housing ledgers, cash, seals, and important documents in a carefully organized array of lockable compartments and drawers. This exceptional late Meiji example is constructed in two stacking sections, each finished with finely crafted louvered sliding doors -- a hallmark of the choba tansu form -- alongside multiple pull-out drawers of varying depths. The wood displays the warm honey grain and tight straight lines characteristic of hinoki (Japanese cypress), finished with a clear natural lacquer that has mellowed beautifully over more than a century. The ironwork hardware is a standout feature: large round lock escutcheons with a bold patinated finish, D-ring drawer pulls, and a dramatic ornamental iron fitting on the lower right corner of the cabinet -- a decorative convention associated with prestige tansu joinery of the Meiji period. The two sections separate cleanly for transport, and the original key is still present on one of the drawer pulls.

In a modern home, this choba tansu is extraordinarily versatile. Its tall, upright profile and warm cedar tones make it a natural fit as a living room accent cabinet or entryway storage console -- sturdy enough to hold everyday essentials while commanding attention as a sculptural focal point. The louvered sliding doors conceal open shelving ideal for displaying books, collectibles, or media components, while the multiple drawers handle everything from office supplies to clothing in a home office or bedroom setting. Fans of Japandi style and wabi-sabi aesthetic will appreciate how its honest joinery, natural wood warmth, and hand-forged iron hardware bring depth and authenticity to minimalist decor. It also makes a truly exceptional gift for collectors of Japanese antique furniture or Japanophiles seeking a rare, functional heirloom piece.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Late Meiji, circa 1900-1911
• Material: Straight-grained wood, Hinoki (Japanese cypress); hand-forged iron hardware including round lock escutcheons, D-ring pulls, and ornamental corner fittings; original key present
• Use: Choba tansu -- merchant office chest used for storing ledgers, documents, cash, and commercial records in a traditional Japanese merchant household
• Modern Use: Entryway console with storage, living room accent cabinet, home office organizer
• Features: Two-section stacking construction; louvered sliding doors on both upper and lower sections concealing open interior shelving; multiple pull-out drawers of varied depths arranged across both sections; large decorative iron lock plates; one drawer retains original key; slatted side panels throughout; clean dovetail joinery visible on open drawers
• Dimensions: 35 7/8"W x 17 1/4"D x 63 3/8"H
• Condition: Excellent

A commanding work of handcrafted Japanese antique furniture -- this two-section choba tansu brings over a century of merchant history and Meiji-era craftsmanship 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.