Antique Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-496

Japanese Ko-Tansu Small Chest | Vintage Jewelry Box & Desktop Organizer, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-496

A rare hikidashi drawer chest finished in striking cherry bark veneer -- a handcrafted Japanese antique with extraordinary natural texture.

A ko-tansu is a small personal chest of drawers used in traditional Japanese households to store keepsakes, writing tools, medicines, or personal effects within easy reach. This compact Early Showa example is distinguished by its remarkable surface treatment: the entire exterior -- front, top, and sides -- is wrapped in what appears to be kaba (cherry bark), a prized decorative material in Japanese craft known for its mottled amber-and-burgundy patterning. The front face displays an especially dramatic burl-like figure, where the bark's natural nodes and swirls create an almost painterly, tortoiseshell effect. The interior of each hikidashi (pull-out drawer) is finished in clean, light-toned kiri (paulownia), the classic Japanese wood chosen for its lightweight and moisture-resistant qualities. Cast metal ring pulls with fluted rosette escutcheons complete the piece with a quietly refined hardware aesthetic typical of the period.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese antique ko-tansu is as versatile as it is beautiful. Set it on a bedroom dresser as a jewelry box and keepsake organizer, letting the warm tortoiseshell surface become a focal point in Japandi-style bedroom decor. On a home office desk it works equally well as a desktop organizer for stationery, small tools, or memory cards -- its compact footprint making it ideal for minimalist decor. It also makes a striking living room accent piece on a console or shelf, displayed alongside ceramics or books. A genuinely unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors with an eye for wabi-sabi aesthetic and Japanese antique furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Kiri (paulownia) carcass with kaba (cherry bark) veneer exterior; cast metal ring pulls with fluted rosette escutcheons
• Use: Personal storage chest (hikidashi tansu) for keepsakes, writing tools, or household sundries
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and bedroom organizer; desktop stationery storage for a home office; decorative living room accent in a Japandi or wabi-sabi styled interior
• Features: Striking kaba (cherry bark) veneer with dramatic mottled burl-like figure across all exterior faces; two side-by-side upper drawers plus one wider lower drawer; clean kiri interior to each hikidashi; cast metal ring pulls with decorative rosette mounts; flat top surface suitable for display
• Dimensions: 11"W x 8"D x 8"H
• Condition: Excellent

A captivating piece of Japanese antique furniture -- the richly figured cherry bark surface ensures this ko-tansu brings warmth, texture, and quiet history 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.