Vintage Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-G039

Japanese Ko Tansu Tall Chest | Vintage Dresser & Bedroom Storage, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-G039

A slender, multi-drawer tansu in warm sugi with filigree brass pulls and original lock -- classic Mid Showa Japanese antique furniture at its most practical.

A ko tansu is a traditional Japanese storage chest, typically narrower and more compact than a full-scale tansu, designed to keep clothing, documents, and personal effects neatly organized within a modest floor footprint. This Mid Showa example is built from what appears to be sugi (Japanese cedar), its straight, fine grain glowing a warm honey-amber after decades of gentle patina. The carcass is cleanly constructed with softly rounded top corners and a stepped plinth base -- details that reflect the transitional post-war Japanese craft aesthetic, blending restrained traditional joinery with a slightly modernized silhouette. A full column of graduated drawers runs from top to bottom, with a pair of smaller divided drawers at the crown offering quick-access storage. Each drawer is fitted with a cast brass filigree pull -- a delicate openwork floral and scroll design -- suspended from a small round boss, and at least one drawer retains its original lock with the working key still attached on a red cord, a charming and collectible detail. The drawer interiors are clean and unlined, showing honest construction with dovetailed corners.

In a modern home, this tall, slender chest is a versatile and striking piece of Japanese antique furniture. Stand it in the bedroom as a dresser or clothing chest, its narrow profile fitting neatly between a doorframe and a wall. It works equally well as entryway furniture -- a place to stow scarves, gloves, and accessories -- or as home office storage for stationery, files, and craft supplies. The warm cedar tones and handcrafted brass hardware complement Japandi style interiors, wabi-sabi aesthetic spaces, and mid-century modern rooms alike. A unique housewarming gift or a treasured find for collectors of vintage Japanese craft, this ko tansu brings both generous storage and genuine character to any living space.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Solid wood, likely sugi (Japanese cedar); cast brass filigree drawer pulls; original lock with key
• Use: Household clothing and document storage
• Modern Use: Bedroom dresser or clothing chest; entryway furniture for accessories; home office or craft supply organizer
• Features: Tall narrow profile with softly rounded top corners; pair of divided small drawers at crown above a graduated column of full-width drawers; each drawer fitted with cast brass openwork filigree pull on a round boss; at least one lockable drawer with original working key on red cord; clean unlined drawer interiors with visible joinery; stepped plinth base
• Dimensions: 27 1/4"W x 17 1/4" 53 3/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully preserved piece of Mid Showa Japanese antique furniture -- handcrafted storage with warm cedar grain and ornate brass hardware that elevates any modern interior.

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.