Antique Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-G065

Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest | Antique Storage Cabinet & Living Room Accent, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-G065

A compact, multi-compartment tansu chest from the Taisho era -- rich warmwood grain, sliding doors, glass panels, and a bank of pull-out drawers in one beautifully crafted piece of Japanese antique furniture.

A ko tansu is a small-format Japanese storage chest -- "ko" meaning small -- designed to keep everyday essentials neatly organized within an intimate footprint. This handcrafted example dates to the Taisho period (1912-1926), an era that blended traditional Japanese joinery with subtle Western influences, resulting in furniture that feels both rooted and quietly modern. The carcass is constructed from a richly grained hardwood -- the boldly swirling figure visible on the top panel is consistent with keyaki (zelkova) or a similarly characterful Japanese wood -- finished to a warm amber-brown that has deepened beautifully with age. The upper zone features sliding fusuma-style doors fitted with recessed metal pulls, concealing a shelved interior. Below, a second tier of sliding panels -- one fitted with a glass inset for at-a-glance visibility -- opens to reveal additional compartments with internal shelving. A lower bank of multiple pull-out drawers, each fitted with a cast metal ring or bail pull, completes the layout. The joinery throughout is precise, the drawers slide smoothly, and the overall construction speaks to the skill of a regional Japanese craftsman working at the height of the Taisho woodworking tradition.

In a modern home this versatile ko tansu adapts effortlessly to a wide range of rooms and styles. Its compact scale and rich wabi-sabi aesthetic make it a natural fit as a bedroom nightstand with generous storage, an entryway console for keys and accessories, or a living room accent piece to display ceramics on top while keeping remote controls and small items tucked neatly inside the drawers. It also works beautifully as home office storage for stationery, cables, and notebooks -- the glass-panel section adding a stylish display window for small collectibles. The warm wood tones complement Japandi style interiors, mid-century modern arrangements, and natural-material decor schemes alike. A thoughtful housewarming gift or a standout find for collectors of Japanese antique furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Kiri wood (paulownia); cast metal hardware; glass panel inset
• Use: Compact household storage chest -- originally used to organize clothing, documents, and daily necessities
• Modern Use: Bedroom nightstand with storage; entryway console or living room accent; home office organizer for stationery and small items
• Features: Upper sliding-door compartment with recessed metal pulls; mid-section sliding doors including a glass-panel inset over internal shelving; open side cubby; multiple pull-out drawers with cast metal bail pulls; precise hand-cut joinery throughout
• Dimensions: 22"W x 8"D x 22"H
• Condition: Excellent -- age-consistent patina and minor surface wear; all doors slide and drawers function well

A beautifully preserved piece of Japanese antique furniture that brings the quiet craftsmanship of the Taisho era into any modern living space.

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.