Antique Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, Kiri Wood, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-669

Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest | Antique Desk Organizer & Bedside Nightstand, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-669

A compact hikidashi drawer chest from the Taisho era, hand-joined in warm straight-grained hardwood with aged brass bail pulls.

A ko tansu is a small-format Japanese storage chest -- "ko" meaning small, "tansu" referring to a freestanding cabinet with drawers. Compact tansu of this type were everyday essentials in Taisho-era households, used to organize correspondence, sewing notions, personal effects, or merchant records. This example is crafted from a straight, tightly grained hardwood consistent with kiri wood (paulownia), giving it a warm honey tone that has mellowed beautifully over a century of use. The carcass is solidly box-jointed at the corners -- a hallmark of handcrafted Japanese antique furniture -- and the drawers slide cleanly on their runners. Each drawer front is fitted with a gracefully curved bail pull in aged brass, adding a quiet decorative note typical of Taisho-period craftsmanship.

In a modern home, this ko tansu is remarkably versatile. Its compact footprint makes it an ideal bedside nightstand or bedroom decor accent, keeping reading glasses, journals, and small essentials close at hand. It works equally well as a home office storage unit -- tucked beside a desk to hold stationery, cables, or files -- or as a living room accent piece in a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic interior. Display it atop a shelf or credenza as a standalone organizer, or let it anchor a minimalist entryway for keys and daily carry items. A thoughtful housewarming gift or unique find for collectors of Japanese antique furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Kiri wood (paulownia); aged brass bail pulls
• Use: Small household storage chest for personal effects, documents, or sundries
• Modern Use: Bedside nightstand, home office desk organizer, or living room accent storage
• Features: Multiple pull-out drawers in a stacked layout; box-jointed corner construction; each drawer fitted with a curved brass bail pull; clean, unadorned side panels showcasing natural wood grain
• Dimensions: 12"W x 17"D x 15"H
• Condition: Excellent

A genuine piece of Japanese antique furniture, this Taisho-era ko tansu brings quiet craftsmanship and century-old warmth to any modern interior.

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.