Vintage Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-G038

Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest | Vintage Nightstand & Bedroom Organizer, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-G038

A compact handcrafted tansu chest with sliding cabinet doors and pull-out drawers -- a versatile piece of vintage Japanese antique furniture.

A ko tansu is a small-format Japanese storage chest, traditionally used in the home to organize personal belongings such as clothing accessories, documents, and household essentials. This Mid Showa example is constructed with a boldly striped hardwood veneer -- likely kaki (persimmon) or a similarly figured Japanese wood -- applied over a solid secondary wood carcass, giving the exterior its striking linear grain and deep reddish-brown tones. The upper section features a pair of sliding panels faced in a warm sandy material, opening to a roomy interior cabinet compartment. Below, a series of pull-out drawers fitted with cast brass drop-pull handles provide additional layered storage. The drawer interiors are finished in natural light wood, showing clean joinery consistent with mid-century Japanese craft. The overall silhouette is compact and upright, a hallmark of the ko tansu form designed to fit neatly within a Japanese living space.

Today this handcrafted Japanese small chest translates beautifully into a wide range of modern interiors. Its upright proportions and rich wood grain make it a natural fit as a bedroom nightstand or side table, with the sliding cabinet concealing books, remotes, or personal items while the drawers keep jewelry and accessories organized. In a home office, it serves as compact desktop-adjacent storage with genuine wabi-sabi aesthetic character. It also works as a living room accent piece or entryway organizer -- a unique housewarming gift for collectors or Japanophiles who appreciate Japandi style furniture with authentic vintage provenance.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Boldly striped hardwood veneer, possibly kaki (persimmon); solid secondary wood carcass and drawer interiors; cast brass drop-pull handles; sliding panels with sandy textile-faced fronts
• Use: Household storage chest -- clothing accessories, documents, and personal items
• Modern Use: Bedroom nightstand or side table; home office storage cabinet; living room or entryway accent organizer
• Features: Upper sliding double-panel cabinet opening to a single interior compartment; multiple pull-out drawers below in a tiered layout; each drawer fitted with a cast brass drop-pull handle; striking linear grain veneer exterior; clean light-wood drawer interiors with dovetail-style joinery
• Dimensions: 22 1/2"W x 16"D x 25 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully grained piece of Japanese antique furniture that brings mid-century craft and quiet wabi-sabi warmth 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.