Antique Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-G022

Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest | Antique Bedside Dresser & Home Office Storage, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-G022

A compact stacking chest of straight-grained hardwood -- understated Taisho-era craftsmanship with quietly aged brass drop pulls.

A ko tansu is a small Japanese storage chest, traditionally used as a compact personal cabinet for clothing, documents, or household sundries. Unlike the grander kaidan tansu or merchant chests, the ko tansu was an everyday household piece -- practical, unadorned, and built to last. This Taisho-era example is constructed from a straight, even-grained hardwood, likely kiri (paulownia) or a similar domestic softwood, with a warm honey tone that has deepened naturally over a century of use. The joinery is clean and tight, with flush-fitted drawer fronts sitting neatly within a simple rectangular carcass -- a hallmark of honest Japanese antique furniture craftsmanship. Each drawer is fitted with a gracefully curved metal drop pull, dark with age, adding just the right amount of quiet detail to an otherwise restrained form.

This ko tansu translates beautifully into modern interiors. Its narrow, vertical footprint makes it an ideal bedroom nightstand with built-in storage, a bathroom organizer for linens and toiletries, or a home office storage unit for files and stationery. The warm natural wood tone pairs equally well with Japandi style minimalism, wabi-sabi aesthetic arrangements, or mid-century modern settings. The flat, uncluttered top surface is ready to display a lamp, small plant, or curated arrangement of objects. A thoughtful housewarming gift or a distinctive find for collectors of vintage Japanese furniture -- this piece brings a century of quiet utility into any contemporary home.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Straight-grained hardwood, possibly kiri (paulownia) or similar domestic wood; dark metal drop pulls
• Use: Personal storage chest for clothing, documents, or household items
• Modern Use: Bedroom nightstand with drawer storage, bathroom linen organizer, home office desk-side storage
• Features: Multiple pull-out drawers in a tall vertical carcass; flush drawer fronts with curved metal drop pulls; clean box-joint construction; flat display top
• Dimensions: 18"W x 12 1/4"D x 30 3/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A century-old piece of Japanese antique furniture that brings warmth, character, and honest craftsmanship to any modern room.

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.