Antique Japanese Two Section Kimono Tansu Clothing Chest, Kiri Wood, 1900 - 1911 (Late Meiji) | SKU: 26M-B402

Japanese Isho Tansu Clothing Chest | Antique Dresser & Bedroom Storage, 1868-1911 (Meiji), SKU 26M-B402

A two-section kimono tansu from late Meiji Japan -- boldly grained hardwood, iron hardware, and over a century of quiet dignity.

An isho tansu is a traditional Japanese clothing chest designed specifically to store folded kimono and formal garments. Built in two stackable sections that could be separated for transport, this handcrafted Japanese antique furniture dates to the late Meiji period (c. 1900--1911), when skilled tansu craftsmen were producing some of their finest work. The case is constructed from a richly striped hardwood -- the pronounced parallel grain suggesting kiri wood (paulownia) fine-grained domestic timber -- finished to a warm amber tone that has deepened beautifully with age. Iron corner fittings, flat corner straps, and bold oval lockplates (called "zogan" escutcheons in the tansu tradition) are forged in the classic blackened iron style, creating a striking visual contrast against the honey-toned wood. Each drawer is fitted with a cast iron bail-ring pull in a scrolled, cloud-form silhouette typical of Meiji-era tansu hardware. The two-section construction is secured by iron side hasps on both flanks, allowing the chest to be separated and stacked -- a practical feature of the isho tansu form that speaks to the mobility of Meiji household life.

In a modern home, this antique isho tansu translates effortlessly into a statement bedroom dresser or a striking entryway furniture piece. The generous, deep drawers -- revealed in the open-drawer images to be solidly constructed with thick, unlined wood sides -- are well suited to folded clothing, linens, or oversized accessories. Placed in a bedroom, it brings a Japandi style warmth that pairs beautifully with natural textiles and muted tones. In a living room or hallway, its bold iron hardware and aged patina read as sculpture as much as storage. It would also serve handsomely as a media console or a dining room sideboard. A rare and generous gift for collectors of Japanese antique furniture, Japanophiles, or anyone drawn to the wabi-sabi aesthetic of objects that wear their history honestly.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1868-1911 (Meiji), c. 1900--1911
• Material: Kiri wood (paulownia); blackened cast iron hardware including corner fittings, oval escutcheons, side hasps, and bail-ring pulls
• Use: Traditional two-section isho tansu for storing folded kimono and formal garments
• Modern Use: Bedroom dresser or clothing storage; entryway console or hallway furniture accent; living room sideboard or media cabinet in a Japandi or wabi-sabi styled interior
• Features: Two stackable sections with iron side hasps; multiple pull-out drawers including a concealed small inner drawer accessed behind a front panel; large oval iron lockplates on each drawer face; scrolled cloud-form bail-ring iron pulls; iron corner straps and angle brackets throughout; thick-sided solid wood drawer construction
• Dimensions: 37 1/2"W x 16 1/4"D x 43"H
• Condition: Excellent

A commanding piece of Japanese antique furniture -- the isho tansu at its most refined, ready to bring over a century of Meiji craftsmanship into your modern home.

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.