Antique Japanese Kiri Wood Kasane Tansu, Taisho era, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-A035

Antique Japanese Kiri Wood Kasane Tansu, Taisho era, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-A035

A tall, stately kiri-wood tansu combining multiple pull-out drawers with a hinged cabinet -- a rare surviving example of Taisho-era handcrafted Japanese antique furniture.

A tansu is a traditional Japanese freestanding storage chest, and this impressive tall example dates to the Taisho period (1912-1926), an era when Japanese cabinetmakers began blending classical joinery with subtle Western influences. Constructed from kiri (paulownia), a wood prized for its exceptional lightness, moisture resistance, and natural fire-retardant properties, the chest is built in the classic kasane-dansu stacking format -- two or three separate sections that lock together with forged iron corner hardware. The upper section features a combination of smaller drawers alongside a single hinged door cabinet secured by a traditional iron catch, while the lower sections offer a series of generously proportioned pull-out drawers, each fitted with a pair of cast brass bail pulls with decorative engraved detail. Lock escutcheons are present on select drawers, and the large flat-plate iron corner fittings on the sides lend the piece a bold, structural character typical of the period. The wood surfaces display a warm honey-amber tone with fine, straight grain throughout -- the hallmark of quality kiri construction.

Standing over five feet tall, this antique Japanese tansu commands attention in any room and offers serious, practical storage capacity for a modern home. Use it as a bedroom dresser -- its deep, wide drawers hold folded clothing beautifully -- or place it in an entryway as a statement console with concealed storage for linens, accessories, and everyday essentials. The upper hinged cabinet is ideal as a display nook or a home office organizer for documents and stationery. Its warm natural wood tone and clean-lined silhouette integrate effortlessly into Japandi-style interiors, wabi-sabi aesthetic spaces, or minimalist decor schemes. A generous and characterful piece, it also makes a memorable housewarming gift or a standout acquisition for collectors of Japanese antique furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Kiri (paulownia) wood; forged iron corner hardware and lock plates; cast brass bail pulls
• Use: Clothing and household storage chest (kasane-dansu stacking tansu)
• Modern Use: Bedroom dresser for clothing storage; entryway console with concealed storage; home office organizer
• Features: Tall stacking tansu in multiple sections; combination of graduated pull-out drawers and a single hinged cabinet door; cast brass bail pulls on each drawer; traditional iron lock escutcheons; bold forged iron flat-plate corner fittings on sides; warm straight-grained kiri wood throughout; fitted base with cut-out foot detail
• Dimensions: 36"W x 16 3/4"D x 60 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A commanding piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this Taisho-era kiri tansu brings over a century of honest craftsmanship and warm, natural beauty to any modern bedroom, entryway, or 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 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.