Antique Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-921-3

Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer | Antique Jewelry Box & Desktop Organizer, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-921-3

A handcrafted hikidashi drawer chest in boldly figured hardwood -- a rare survivor of pre-war Japanese cabinetry at its finest.

A hikidashiis a small-scale Japanese chest of drawers, traditionally used to store personal items such as correspondence, sewing tools, cosmetics, or valuables within the home. This Early Showa example is a beautifully preserved piece of handcrafted Japanese antique furniture, constructed with a carcass of straight-grained hardwood -- likely keyaki (zelkova) or a closely related species -- while the drawer fronts are faced with a dramatically figured wood displaying bold, swirling flame-grain patterns consistent with kaki (persimmon) or kurogaki (black persimmon). The contrast between the calm, linear sides and the intensely patterned drawer faces is a hallmark of skilled Japanese woodworking of this era. Each hikidashi (pull-out drawer) slides smoothly on bare-wood runners, and every drawer is fitted with a cast metal bail-style pull in a dark patinated finish, echoing the restrained aesthetic of the period. The rear panel reveals a carved semi-circular hand-hold cut into each side, a practical detail that allowed the chest to be carried easily -- a thoughtful touch that speaks to everyday Japanese domestic life of the 1930s and early 1940s.

Today this ko-tansu makes a striking statement in a wide range of modern interiors. On a bedroom dresser or nightstand, it serves beautifully as a jewelry box and accessory organizer, with its multiple drawers keeping rings, earrings, and keepsakes neatly separated. In a home office, it functions as compact desktop storage for stationery, business cards, or small tools -- a wabi-sabi aesthetic counterpoint to modern technology. It would also sit handsomely on a sideboard or console in a Japandi-style living room as a decorative accent with genuine storage utility. With its rich patina and exceptional grain, this vintage Japanese chest makes a deeply considered housewarming gift or gift for collectors of Japanese antique furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Carcass in straight-grained hardwood, possibly keyaki (zelkova); drawer fronts in boldly figured hardwood, possibly kaki (persimmon) or kurogaki (black persimmon); cast metal bail pulls in dark patinated finish
• Use: Personal storage chest (ko-tansu) for small valuables, correspondence, or cosmetics in a Japanese household
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and accessory organizer; desktop storage for a home office; decorative accent piece in a Japandi-style living room or bedroom
• Features: Multiple hikidashi (pull-out drawers) in a tiered layout with paired smaller drawers above and a wider drawer below; striking flame-grain drawer fronts with deeply contrasting dark figuring; cast metal bail-style pulls on each drawer; carved semi-circular hand-holds on side panels for portability; smooth bare-wood drawer runners; flat top surface suitable for display
• Dimensions: 13"W x 8"D x 9 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A timeless example of Japanese antique furniture -- where bold natural grain and quiet craftsmanship combine to bring warmth, history, and wabi-sabi beauty into 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.