Antique Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-010

Japanese Ko-Tansu Small Chest | Antique Desk Organizer & Jewelry Cabinet, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-010

A compact hikidashi drawer chest from Early Showa Japan -- handcrafted hardwood with cast metal pulls and a distinctive open-shelf design.

A ko-tansu is a small Japanese chest of drawers -- a scaled-down version of the full-size tansu -- designed to sit on a desk, shelf, or floor for organized storage of personal items such as correspondence, sewing notions, or valuables. This example dates to the Early Showa period (1927-1945), a time when Japanese craftsmen blended traditional tansu-making techniques with a slightly more structured, architectural sensibility. The piece is constructed from boldly grained hardwood, possibly keyaki (zelkova), finished to a deep amber-brown that has mellowed beautifully with age. The open back reveals clean, tight joinery throughout. Multiple hikidashi (pull-out drawers) are arranged in a stepped configuration on one side, paired with an open alcove compartment on the other, all beneath a gently arched backboard fitted with a carved half-moon carry cutout. Each drawer is fitted with a cast metal bail pull mounted on fluted rosette bosses -- a classic hardware detail seen on quality Japanese antique furniture of this era.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese ko-tansu is wonderfully versatile. Use it as a desktop organizer in a home office to corral stationery, cables, and small tools, while the open compartment holds a phone, tablet, or a small plant. On a bedroom dresser or vanity, it works beautifully as a jewelry cabinet or watch display -- the multiple drawers keeping rings, earrings, and accessories neatly sorted. It also shines as a living room accent piece in a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic setting, displaying small ceramics or succulents in the open shelf while hiding remotes and odds and ends in the drawers. A genuinely unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Boldly grained hardwood, possibly keyaki (zelkova); cast metal bail pulls with fluted rosette bosses
• Use: Compact personal storage chest -- original use likely for correspondence, sewing notions, or small valuables
• Modern Use: Desktop organizer for home office storage; bedroom jewelry cabinet or vanity organizer; living room accent display in Japandi or wabi-sabi decor
• Features: Arched backboard with carved half-moon carry cutout; multiple hikidashi drawers in a stepped layout; open alcove compartment; full-width shallow base drawer; cast metal bail pulls on fluted rosette bosses; clean dovetail-style joinery visible on open drawers; rich aged patina throughout
• Dimensions: 10"W x 14"D x 15"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and beautifully preserved piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this Early Showa ko-tansu brings the quiet elegance of traditional craftsmanship 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.