Antique Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-G086

Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest | Antique Desk Organizer & Bedside Cabinet, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-G086

A compact handcrafted tansu chest from the Taisho era, offering a charming mix of varied drawer sizes and iron hardware in warm, straight-grained wood.

A ko tansu is a small-format Japanese storage chest -- "ko" meaning small -- designed to sit on a floor, shelf, or work surface and keep everyday belongings neatly sorted. This example, dating to the Taisho period (1912-1926), is built from straight-grained softwood consistent with kiri (paulownia), a material prized in traditional Japanese craft for its lightness, pleasant grain, and natural resistance. The chest features a thoughtful asymmetric layout of multiple drawers arranged across several rows: shallower drawers on the upper right column for small items and deeper, full-width drawers below for larger storage. Each drawer slides smoothly on hand-fitted wooden runners and is fitted with a curved metal bail pull, while select drawers are secured with iron lock plates -- a hallmark of quality Japanese antique furniture from this era. The joinery and nail construction visible at the corners are characteristic of Taisho-period woodworking, and the warm honey tone of the wood has deepened beautifully with over a century of age.

In a modern home, this versatile ko tansu adapts effortlessly to a wide range of uses. Style it on a bedroom dresser or nightstand as a jewelry organizer and accessories chest, keeping rings, bracelets, and watches beautifully separated. In a home office it makes an elegant desk organizer for stationery, art supplies, or craft materials -- a nod to the wabi-sabi aesthetic that pairs naturally with Japandi-style interiors. It also works wonderfully as a bathroom organizer for small grooming essentials, or displayed in an entryway to hold keys, cards, and sundries. Compact enough to move freely between rooms, this piece makes a truly unique housewarming gift or a standout find for collectors of Japanese antique furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Kiri (paulownia); iron lock plates and metal bail pulls
• Use: Compact household storage chest for personal belongings, documents, or small valuables
• Modern Use: Jewelry and accessories organizer; home office desk organizer for stationery or craft supplies; bathroom organizer for grooming essentials
• Features: Asymmetric layout of multiple drawers in varied sizes; curved metal bail pull on each drawer; iron lock plates on select drawers; hand-fitted wooden drawer runners; warm honey-toned patina developed over a century of age
• Dimensions: 19 1/2"W x 10 3/4"D x 14 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully aged piece of Japanese antique furniture that brings the quiet order and handcrafted warmth of Taisho-era Japan 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.