Antique Japanese Isho-Dansu Stacking Clothing Chest, Meiji era (1868-1911) | SKU: 26M-J001

Antique Japanese Isho-Dansu Stacking Clothing Chest, Meiji era (1868-1911) | SKU: 26M-J001

A boldly hardware-clad two-section tansu with large floral iron medallions and deeply grained kiri wood -- a commanding piece of Japanese antique furniture.

A tansu is a traditional Japanese freestanding storage chest used to house folded kimono and everyday garments. This isho-dansu -- a clothing tansu -- is presented as a stacked two-section unit, a format widely produced during the Meiji era as merchant households grew prosperous and demanded furniture that was both functional and impressive. The warm honey-toned kiri (paulownia) carcass displays a fine straight grain throughout, its surface developed into a rich amber patina through more than a century of use. What immediately distinguishes this piece is its ironwork: large, deeply embossed circular medallions with a four-petal floral motif serve as lock escutcheons, each surrounded by pierced fan-corner fittings, diamond-pattern strap hardware, and sculptural ring-and-bail drawer pulls -- all finished in a striking blackened iron that contrasts beautifully against the warm wood. The hardware quality and density of decoration are hallmarks of handcrafted Japanese tansu from this period.

In a modern home this tansu is as practical as it is beautiful. Positioned in a bedroom, it functions as a statement dresser or clothing chest, offering multiple deep pull-out drawers alongside a lower section that reveals smaller compartments with their own diminutive iron pulls -- perfect for accessories or folded linens. Its substantial, upright silhouette suits a Japandi-style or wabi-sabi aesthetic interior equally well, and the rich iron hardware reads as sculptural wall art in its own right. In an entryway or living room it makes a striking accent console for blankets, books, or display objects. For collectors of antique Japanese craft and Japanese antique furniture, or as a unique housewarming gift for a design-conscious home, this tansu is an extraordinary find.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1868-1911 (Meiji)
• Material: Kiri (paulownia) with blackened iron hardware including large floral medallion escutcheons, pierced fan corner fittings, diamond strap rails, and ring-and-bail drawer pulls
• Use: Traditional isho-dansu -- a stacked two-section clothing chest for storing kimono and folded garments
• Modern Use: Bedroom dresser and clothing storage; entryway console or living room accent cabinet; statement piece for Japandi or wabi-sabi interiors
• Features: Two-section stacking construction with side locking hasps; multiple deep full-width drawers in the upper and lower sections; a lower section with smaller internal compartments fitted with individual iron pulls; each drawer front centered with a large embossed floral iron medallion; pierced fan quarter-round corner fittings at every joint; diamond-motif strap hardware along drawer dividers; clean unlined kiri interiors in sound condition
• Dimensions: 40 1/4"W x 16 3/4"D x 41 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent -- rich patina consistent with age; hardware intact and functioning; drawers slide smoothly

A masterwork of handcrafted Japanese tansu furniture -- its century-old iron medallions and warm paulownia grain bring enduring beauty and genuine history to any 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 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.