Antique Japanese Isho Tansu (Stacked Clothing Chest), Taisho era, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-A432

Antique Japanese Isho Tansu (Stacked Clothing Chest), Taisho era, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-A432

A tall, stacked isho tansu from the Taisho era -- combining a sliding-door cabinet, small accessory drawers, and generous pull-out drawers in one commanding piece of handcrafted Japanese antique furniture.

An isho tansu is a traditional Japanese clothing chest designed to store folded kimono and everyday garments in an orderly, layered fashion. This superb example dates to the Taisho period (1912-1926), a time when Japanese cabinetmakers began blending centuries-old joinery traditions with a quietly modernising aesthetic. The chest is built in the classic stacked format: a top section housing a pair of sliding doors -- one of which conceals a deep open shelf -- sits above a row of small accessory drawers, while a lower section presents a series of large, generously proportioned pull-out drawers. The body is constructed from kiri (paulownia), the traditional wood of choice for isho tansu, prized for its natural resistance to moisture and insects and its ability to regulate humidity inside each drawer -- an ideal environment for precious silk garments. The exterior shows a warm honey-amber tone with fine straight grain, and the drawers are fitted throughout with cast metal ring pulls in a darkened finish that complement the wood beautifully. The two-piece stacked construction is secured at the sides with bold iron corner hardware, a hallmark of quality tansu craftsmanship.

In a modern home, this antique Japanese tansu works brilliantly as a statement bedroom dresser, offering abundant clothing and linen storage while bringing a wabi-sabi aesthetic warmth that no flat-pack alternative can match. Its tall, narrow footprint makes it equally suited as entryway furniture -- corralling scarves, bags, and accessories in style -- or as living room storage for media, books, and collectibles. The top sliding-door cabinet is the perfect size for displaying objects or concealing small electronics, while the shallow upper drawers are ideal for jewellery, stationery, or home office supplies. A truly unique housewarming gift for collectors or anyone drawn to Japandi style interiors, this piece carries more than a century of quiet, purposeful beauty into contemporary living.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Kiri (paulownia) with iron hardware and cast metal ring pulls
• Use: Isho tansu -- traditional stacked clothing chest for storing folded kimono and garments
• Modern Use: Bedroom dresser and clothing storage; entryway console with accessory drawers; living room media and display cabinet
• Features: Two-piece stacked construction secured with iron corner hardware; top section with sliding door cabinet (one shelf interior) and a row of small accessory drawers; lower section with multiple large pull-out drawers; each drawer fitted with a cast metal ring pull; fine straight kiri grain throughout; warm honey-amber finish
• Dimensions: 35 3/4"W x 15 1/2"D x 58 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A commanding piece of Japanese antique furniture that brings over a century of Taisho-era craftsmanship and wabi-sabi warmth into 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.