Antique Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-G072

Japanese Ko-Tansu Small Chest | Antique Dresser & Bedroom Organizer, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-G072

A compact handcrafted Japanese antique chest with multiple drawers, original lock hardware, and warm honey-toned wood grain -- a rare Taisho-era find.

A ko-tansu is a small-scale version of the traditional Japanese tansu chest, designed to store personal effects, folded garments, accessories, and valuables within a compact and portable form. This example, dating to the Taisho period (1912-1926), exemplifies the refined joinery and restrained hardware aesthetic that distinguished Japanese antique furniture of the early twentieth century. The carcass is constructed from kiri (paulownia), a lightweight yet resilient wood long favored for tansu cabinetry for its natural resistance to moisture and insects. The straight, close grain has deepened to a warm honey-amber tone over a century of use. The case is reinforced at the corners and edges with dark iron strap fittings, hand-nailed in the traditional manner. Each drawer is fitted with a gracefully curved bail pull in darkened cast metal, while two drawers carry large circular lock escutcheons -- one of which retains its original key on a braided cord, a charming and increasingly rare survival. The multi-section layout, with smaller drawers on one side flanking taller drawers on the other, reflects a practical design sensibility typical of handcrafted Japanese craft from this era.

In a modern home, this ko-tansu is as versatile as it is beautiful. Its compact footprint -- under two feet wide -- makes it ideal as a bedroom organizer on a dresser top or nightstand surface, a jewelry and accessory chest, or a home office storage solution for stationery, small tools, and correspondence. The warm wood tones and graphic iron hardware suit a Japandi style interior, a wabi-sabi aesthetic, or any mid-century modern or minimalist decor scheme. Displayed in a living room as a decorative accent or used in an entryway to hold keys and everyday essentials, it carries genuine historical presence without demanding a large footprint. This piece would also make a meaningful housewarming gift or a prized addition to any collection of Japanese antique furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Kiri (paulownia) with dark iron corner straps and cast metal drawer pulls; circular lock escutcheons with original key
• Use: Personal storage chest -- originally used to store folded garments, accessories, and small valuables
• Modern Use: Bedroom jewelry and accessory organizer; home office desk storage for stationery and small items; entryway accent chest for keys and daily essentials
• Features: Multiple drawers in a divided asymmetric layout; gracefully curved bail pulls in darkened cast metal; two drawers with large circular lock escutcheons; one original key on braided cord included; traditional hand-nailed iron corner reinforcements; warm honey-amber patina throughout
• Dimensions: 24"W x 11 3/4"D x 16 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A handcrafted Japanese antique chest with century-old character -- the kind of piece that brings quiet warmth and authentic 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 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.