Antique Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest, Kiri Wood, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-G061

Japanese Ko-Tansu Small Chest | Antique Nightstand & Entryway Storage Cabinet, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-G061

A beautifully preserved Taisho-era small chest with multiple drawers, a hinged cabinet door, and warm honey-toned kiri wood -- a compact masterpiece of handcrafted Japanese antique furniture.

A ko-tansu is a traditional Japanese small chest, scaled down from the full-size tansu for use in personal quarters, merchant offices, or alcove settings where compact, well-organized storage was essential. This example, dating to the Taisho period (1912-1926), displays the hallmarks of skilled regional craftsmanship: a warm, honey-toned kiri (paulownia) carcass with a straight, even grain, reinforced at every corner and edge with dark iron strap fittings and nailhead details. The front face is artfully composed -- a wide full-length drawer runs across the top, a pair of sliding cabinet doors conceals a shelved interior compartment in the center-left, and a column of graduated pull-out drawers occupies the right side, finishing with a deep full-width bottom drawer. Each drawer is fitted with a gracefully curved metal bail pull, while the larger drawers feature lacquered round medallion pulls for leverage -- a practical and aesthetically pleasing detail typical of quality Japanese antique furniture from this era.

Today, this ko-tansu translates effortlessly into a modern home. Its compact footprint and rich warm tone make it a natural nightstand or bedroom organizer -- the multiple drawers handling jewelry, accessories, and bedside essentials with ease. In an entryway, it serves as a handsome console for keys, mail, and everyday carry items, perfectly suited to a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic. It also works beautifully as a home office storage unit, keeping stationery, documents, and small supplies neatly out of sight behind its cabinet door. A rare and functional gift for collectors or Japanophiles, this chest brings over a century of Japanese craft tradition into any living space.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Kiri (paulownia) wood; dark iron strap hardware and bail pulls; lacquered round medallion pulls
• Use: Personal storage chest -- originally used to organize clothing, documents, or household valuables in a private room or merchant setting
• Modern Use: Bedroom nightstand and jewelry organizer; entryway console and key storage; home office supply cabinet
• Features: Multiple graduated pull-out drawers; full-width top and bottom drawers; center sliding cabinet doors with shelved interior; iron strap corner and edge reinforcements; nailhead detail throughout; curved bail pulls and round medallion pulls
• Dimensions: 23 1/4"W x 11 1/4"D x 18 3/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A timeless piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this Taisho-era ko-tansu brings warmth, craft history, and quietly elegant storage to any modern bedroom, entryway, or living 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.