Antique Japanese Two Section Choba Tansu Merchant Chest, 1900 - 1911 (Late Meiji) | SKU: 26M-D407

Japanese Choba Tansu Merchant Chest | Antique Storage Cabinet & Entryway Console, 1868-1911 (Meiji), SKU 26M-D407

A monumental two-section choba tansu with slatted sliding doors, multiple drawers, and handsome ironwork -- a rare surviving example of late Meiji merchant furniture.

A choba tansu is a traditional Japanese merchant chest, historically used in the front office -- or choba -- of a merchant household to organize ledgers, account books, cash, and important documents. This impressive two-section example, dating to the late Meiji period (circa 1900-1911), showcases the functional sophistication that defined Japanese antique furniture of the era. The upper section features a large cabinet enclosed by a pair of slatted sliding doors, which conceal an interior shelf and a small lockable inner drawer -- ideal for storing valuables out of sight while still allowing air circulation. The lower section combines a full-width drawer with a centrally placed lockable round escutcheon, a second slatted sliding door cabinet, and a bank of multiple smaller pull-out drawers in a tiered arrangement. The warm honey-toned wood -- Hinoki (Japanese cypress) favored by regional craftsmen -- retains a rich patina developed over more than a century of use. Throughout, the joinery is clean and precise, reflecting the high standards of handcrafted Japanese cabinetry of the Meiji period. A decorative iron hardware panel on the lower right side -- featuring interlocking geometric fittings typical of merchant tansu -- adds visual drama and structural reinforcement at once. The original key, suspended from a braided red cord, accompanies the chest.

In a modern home, this choba tansu makes a stunning statement piece that blends Japanese antique furniture with everyday practicality. Its tall, commanding profile and generous storage capacity suit it perfectly as an entryway console or living room accent -- a dramatic focal point that also handles daily organization. The slatted cabinet sections work beautifully for housing media components, folded textiles, or bar accessories, while the multiple smaller drawers are ideal for correspondence, stationery, or curated collectibles. Interior design enthusiasts will appreciate how naturally this chest anchors a Japandi-style or wabi-sabi aesthetic bedroom or study. It also makes an exceptional housewarming gift for collectors or Japanophiles seeking a statement piece with genuine historical provenance.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1868-1911 (Meiji), circa 1900-1911
• Material: Warm-toned hardwood, Hinoki (Japanese cypress); blackened cast iron hardware throughout
• Use: Merchant office chest (choba tansu) used to store ledgers, documents, cash, and valuables in the front office of a Japanese merchant household
• Modern Use: Entryway console with generous storage; living room media or bar cabinet; bedroom or home office statement piece with Japandi-style appeal
• Features: Two-section stacking construction; upper cabinet with slatted sliding doors concealing interior shelf and small inner lockable drawer; full-width drawer with round iron lock escutcheon; lower slatted sliding door cabinet; multiple pull-out drawers in tiered arrangement; decorative iron hardware panel with geometric fittings; D-ring iron drawer pulls throughout; original key on braided red cord included
• Dimensions: 35"D x 16"D x 62 3/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A commanding piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this late Meiji choba tansu brings over a century of merchant history and masterful handcrafted joinery into any modern interior.

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.