Antique Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-039

Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest | Antique Jewelry Box & Desktop Organizer, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-039

A compact hikidashi chest of rich lacquered wood, carrying the quiet warmth of Taisho-era Japanese antique craftsmanship.

A ko tansu is a small-scale Japanese chest fitted with hikidashi -- pull-out drawers -- designed to store personal valuables, documents, or household sundries within easy reach. During the Taisho period, these compact chests were everyday essentials in Japanese homes, prized for their efficient use of space and honest, handcrafted construction. This example is built from a straight-grained softwood, likely sugi (Japanese cedar) or a similar domestic timber, finished in a deep red-brown lacquer that has mellowed over a century into a rich, burnished tone. The exterior boards show the characteristic horizontal grain lines and natural figuring of hand-selected Japanese wood. The upper portion of the chest features a removable lid box -- open at the top and unfinished on the interior -- providing generous open storage, while the lower section houses multiple hikidashi drawers, each fitted with a cast metal D-ring pull of traditional form. The interiors of the drawers retain their original pale natural wood finish, clean and unlined, attesting to careful preservation.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese antique chest is as versatile as it is beautiful. Its compact footprint and multi-level storage make it a natural jewelry box or bedroom decor accent on a dresser top -- the open lid compartment ideal for scarves or folded textiles, the drawers perfect for rings, watches, and small keepsakes. On a home office desk it serves as a desktop organizer for stationery, cards, and everyday essentials, lending a wabi-sabi aesthetic to any workspace. It also makes a thoughtful and unique housewarming gift for collectors or Japanophiles who appreciate living with authentic vintage Japanese craft. Whether placed in an entryway, bedroom, or living room accent corner, this ko tansu brings a century of Japanese domestic history into quiet, daily use.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Straight-grained Japanese softwood, likely sugi (cedar) or similar domestic timber; deep red-brown lacquer finish; cast metal D-ring drawer pulls
• Use: Personal storage chest -- originally used to organize valuables, documents, or household items in a Japanese home
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or bedroom dresser organizer; desktop storage for home office stationery; living room accent piece or entryway display chest
• Features: Removable lid box with open interior compartment; multiple hikidashi pull-out drawers with original cast metal D-ring pulls; unfinished natural wood drawer interiors in good condition; warm patinated lacquer exterior throughout
• Dimensions: 14 1/4"W x 9 1/2"D x 11"H
• Condition: Good antique condition -- age-appropriate surface wear and patina to the lacquer exterior consistent with over a century of use; drawer interiors clean and structurally sound

A beautifully preserved piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this Taisho-era ko tansu brings warmth, history, and quietly functional beauty 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.