Antique Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, Taisho era, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-A077

Antique Japanese Tansu Chest of Drawers, Taisho era, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-A077

A tall, stately antique tansu in warm honey-toned wood -- a rare surviving example of Taisho-era Japanese antique furniture at its most practical and elegant.

A tansu is a traditional Japanese storage chest, and this impressive tall chest represents the fine cabinetmaking traditions that flourished during the Taisho period (1912-1926). Constructed from straight-grained hardwood -- consistent in appearance with nara (Japanese oak) or a similar close-grained domestic species -- the cabinet is built in the classic stacked-section format, with an upper section housing a pair of sliding fusuma-style panel doors that conceal an open shelved compartment, along with a row of small side-by-side drawers below. The lower sections present a series of deep full-width drawers that graduate in height toward the base, offering generous storage capacity. Each drawer is fitted with a cast metal bail-ring pull set on a round backplate, a hallmark of handcrafted Japanese furniture from this era. Decorative iron corner straps with scalloped tips reinforce the junctions between sections and lend the piece its distinctly Japanese character. The joinery throughout is precise and tight, a testament to the skill of the regional craftsman who built it.

This standout piece of antique Japanese furniture transitions beautifully into a modern home. Standing nearly five and a half feet tall, it makes a commanding bedroom dresser -- ideal for storing folded clothing, linens, or layered accessories in the wabi-sabi aesthetic that blends so naturally with Japandi style interiors. The upper sliding-door compartment functions perfectly as open display shelving or a concealed home office storage nook for books, files, or tech accessories. Place it in an entryway as a dramatic statement console, or use it in a living room as a media cabinet with storage. Its warm amber tone and honest grain make it a meaningful housewarming gift or a prized addition to any serious collection of Japanese antique furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Straight-grained hardwood, possibly nara (Japanese oak); cast metal bail-ring pulls; decorative iron corner strap fittings
• Use: Clothing and household storage chest (tansu)
• Modern Use: Bedroom dresser and clothing storage; entryway console with display shelving; home office storage cabinet
• Features: Tall two-section stacked construction; upper section with sliding panel doors concealing an open shelf compartment, plus a row of small drawers below; multiple full-width graduated drawers in the lower sections; cast metal bail-ring pulls on round backplates; decorative scalloped iron corner straps at section joints; tight hand-cut joinery throughout
• Dimensions: 37"W x 17"D x 61 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A commanding piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this Taisho tansu brings over a century of quiet craftsmanship and warm natural character 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.