Antique Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-916

Japanese Ko-Tansu Small Chest | Antique Jewelry Box & Bedside Organizer, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-916

A handcrafted hikidashi drawer chest in warm-toned wood, adorned with a painted tsubaki camellia motif across its front.

A ko-tansu is a small personal storage chest used in traditional Japanese households to keep everyday essentials close at hand -- documents, accessories, correspondence, or valuables. Compact in scale yet carefully crafted, this Taisho-era example is constructed from a richly grained hardwood, possibly kiri (paulownia), finished to a warm amber-brown tone that has deepened beautifully with age. The case features clean, squared joinery and rests on a solid flat base typical of handcrafted Japanese antique furniture from this period. What makes this piece truly distinctive is the painted tsubaki (camellia) decoration spanning the drawer fronts -- a full bloom and bud rendered in vivid red and black against the natural grain, a motif long associated with elegance and quiet beauty in Japanese craft tradition. Each drawer is fitted with a dark metal bar pull in a gently curved bamboo-joint style, adding a refined finishing touch.

In a modern home, this charming ko-tansu is as versatile as it is decorative. Placed on a bedroom nightstand or dresser top, it serves beautifully as a jewelry box or ring-and-earring organizer. On a home office desk, it makes a stylish desktop organizer for stationery, cards, or small keepsakes. Its compact footprint and wabi-sabi aesthetic also make it a natural fit for a Japandi-style living room accent shelf or bathroom organizer for grooming essentials. A wonderful unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese antiques with genuine character.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Hardwood, possibly kiri (paulownia); dark metal bar pulls; painted tsubaki camellia decoration
• Use: Personal storage chest (ko-tansu) for accessories, documents, or small valuables
• Modern Use: Bedroom jewelry box or ring organizer; desktop stationery and keepsake storage; Japandi-style living room or bathroom accent organizer
• Features: Two pull-out hikidashi drawers; painted tsubaki (camellia) motif in red and black spanning both drawer fronts; curved bamboo-style dark metal bar pulls; flat plinth base; clean squared joinery; richly grained wood with warm aged patina
• Dimensions: 8 1/2"W x 8 1/2"D x 7 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A compact treasure of Taisho-era Japanese antique furniture -- handcrafted, beautifully decorated, and ready to bring warmth and artisan character 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.