Vintage Japanese Ko-Tansu Small Cabinet with Sliding Door, Early Showa, circa 1930s | SKU: 25D-G034

Vintage Japanese Ko-Tansu Small Cabinet with Sliding Door, Early Showa, circa 1930s | SKU: 25D-G034

A compact wooden cabinet with a single sliding front panel, open shelf space, and decorative cutout sides -- practical storage with warm early Showa character.

This vintage Japanese small cabinet has the compact, versatile form often associated with a ko-tansu. Crafted in wood with a broad overhanging top, it features a front opening fitted with a single sliding panel set in a simple track. The sliding panel is framed by slender horizontal rails and backed with dark mesh or screen material, accented by a pale horizontal band across the middle. When moved aside, it reveals an open storage compartment with one interior shelf. The side panels are especially distinctive, each with a vertical ornamental cutout that adds visual lightness and handmade charm to the piece.

In a modern interior, this compact cabinet works well as a tabletop storage piece, small book cabinet, or display shelf for ceramics, tea utensils, stationery, or other everyday objects. Its low profile makes it easy to place on a desk, counter, or larger chest, while the sliding panel offers a tidy way to partially conceal contents. Functional and modest in scale, it brings a quiet vintage presence to Japandi, wabi-sabi, or eclectic interiors.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Early Showa, circa 1930s
• Material: Wood, mesh or screen-backed sliding panel
• Use: Small cabinet or ko-tansu for household storage and display
• Modern Use: Tabletop storage cabinet, small bookshelf, display cabinet, or organizer for ceramics and daily goods
• Features: Single sliding front panel; one open front compartment; interior shelf; decorative cutout side panels; overhanging top; small feet
• Dimensions: 23 3/4"W x 11 3/4"D x 15 3/4"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition with age-appropriate surface wear

A charming small-scale Japanese cabinet -- useful, understated, and full of vintage character.

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 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.