Antique Japanese Ko-Tansu Two-Drawer Chest, Taisho (1912-1926) | SKU: 26M-967

Antique Japanese Ko-Tansu Two-Drawer Chest, Taisho (1912-1926) | SKU: 26M-967

A compact two-drawer tansu chest in deeply aged hardwood -- handcrafted Japanese antique storage with wabi-sabi character.

A ko-tansu is a small-format Japanese chest, traditionally used atop a writing desk, merchant counter, or beside a sleeping area to keep personal effects, correspondence, and small valuables neatly organized and close at hand. This Taisho-period example is built from a straight-grained hardwood -- darkened over a century of use to a rich reddish-brown -- and features two pull-out drawers, each fitted with a cast iron ring pull of classic Japanese form. The construction is honest and sturdy: dovetailed corners, flush-fitting drawer faces, and small bracket feet that lift the body cleanly off the surface below. The wood grain visible on the sides and back panels suggests a species such as sugi (cryptomeria) or a similar straight-grained softwood used for the carcass, while the drawer fronts show a denser, more figured hardwood consistent with period Japanese craft furniture.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese antique storage chest is as practical as it is beautiful. Sit it on a home office desk to corral stationery, USB drives, and small supplies -- a Japandi-style alternative to plastic desk organizers. On a bedroom dresser it becomes an elegant jewelry box, keeping rings, earrings, and watches sorted by drawer. It would also make a distinctive bathroom organizer for cotton rounds, hair clips, and small accessories. Its compact footprint and wabi-sabi aesthetic make it a perfect unique gift for Japanophiles or anyone who appreciates handcrafted antique Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Hardwood carcass and drawer fronts; cast iron ring pulls; natural aged finish
• Use: Small personal storage chest -- used on desks, counters, or beside sleeping areas to organize documents, personal effects, and valuables
• Modern Use: Home office desk organizer; bedroom jewelry box; bathroom organizer for small accessories
• Features: Two pull-out drawers with cast iron ring pulls; bracket feet; straight-grained side panels with rich aged patina; clean flush-fitting drawer faces; solid hand-jointed construction
• Dimensions: 8"W x 17"D x 9 1/2"H
• Condition: Good antique condition -- surface wear, minor scratches, and natural checking consistent with age; drawers slide smoothly; all hardware original and intact

A beautifully aged piece of Japanese antique furniture that brings over a century of quiet craftsmanship into any modern home or workspace.

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 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.