Antique Japanese Isho-dansu Clothing Chest, Taisho era (1912-1926) | SKU: 26M-A476

Antique Japanese Isho-dansu Clothing Chest, Taisho era (1912-1926) | SKU: 26M-A476

A tall, handcrafted kiri tansu in warm honey tones -- combining a sliding-door cabinet, small accessory drawers, and a series of deep pull-out drawers into one stately piece of Japanese antique furniture.

A tansu is a traditional Japanese storage chest, used for centuries to house kimono, bedding, and household valuables. This impressive tall-form example -- dating to the Taisho period (1912-1926) -- follows the classic isho-dansu (clothing chest) layout: a pair of sliding doors at the top enclose a concealed compartment, while a row of smaller drawers sits just below, giving way to a graduated series of deep full-width drawers that fill the lower body. The chest is constructed from kiri (paulownia), the wood of choice for fine Japanese tansu owing to its natural resistance to moisture, insects, and fire. The grain is straight and even, finishing to a warm amber tone that deepens beautifully with age. Each drawer is fitted with a cast metal half-moon pull bearing a fine lattice relief pattern -- a detail characteristic of quality Taisho-era craftsmanship -- and iron corner hardware reinforces the case sides. One drawer retains its original lock and key, a pleasing survivor detail that speaks to the chest's long, well-kept life.

Standing nearly five feet tall and nearly three feet wide, this handcrafted Japanese tansu brings serious storage capacity and quiet elegance to a modern home. Use it as a bedroom dresser or wardrobe alternative, keeping folded clothing, linens, and accessories neatly organized across its many compartments. In an entryway, the deep lower drawers offer generous space for scarves, bags, and seasonal items, while the upper sliding-door section can discreetly conceal everyday clutter. The warm kiri wood tone and wabi-sabi aesthetic make it a natural anchor for Japandi-style interiors, and it pairs equally well with mid-century modern or minimalist decor. A genuinely unique housewarming gift or statement acquisition for collectors of antique Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Kiri (paulownia) with cast metal hardware and iron corner fittings
• Use: Isho-dansu -- traditional Japanese clothing and household storage chest
• Modern Use: Bedroom dresser or wardrobe organizer; entryway console with concealed storage; living room accent cabinet in a Japandi or minimalist interior
• Features: Tall two-section form; upper sliding-door compartment with decorative panel detailing; row of smaller accessory drawers below the upper cabinet; multiple full-width graduated drawers in the lower body; lattice-patterned cast metal half-moon pulls throughout; iron corner hardware on case sides; one locking drawer with original key; clean, well-fitted drawer action
• Dimensions: 36"W x 15 1/2"D x 59 3/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A commanding piece of Japanese antique furniture -- over a century of quiet utility and beauty, ready to bring warmth, craft, and the enduring spirit of the Taisho era into 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.