Vintage Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-G043

Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest | Vintage Nightstand & Entryway Cabinet, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-G043

A compact mid-century tansu with an asymmetric layout of multiple drawers and a hinged cabinet door -- handcrafted Japanese antique furniture at its most functional.

A ko tansu is a small-format Japanese storage chest, traditionally used in the home to organize daily necessities such as documents, medicines, sewing tools, or personal effects. Compact enough to sit beside a futon or in a narrow corridor, this handcrafted Japanese antique furniture piece dates to the Mid Showa period (1946-1965), when skilled regional craftsmen continued building tansu in the time-honored manner despite the modernization sweeping postwar Japan. The carcass is constructed from a straight-grained softwood, likely sugi (Japanese cedar) or hinoki (cypress), while the framework and edging display a dramatically flame-scorched finish -- a yakisugi-inspired technique that deepens the grain contrast and provides natural protection. The front face is organized in a classic asymmetric tansu arrangement: a pair of shallow upper drawers spanning the full width, a recessed double-door cabinet section concealing a single interior shelf, a column of graduated small drawers to the right, and two full-width drawers across the base. Each drawer and door pull is fitted with a cast metal drop handle in blackened iron, echoing the dark-stained framing in a pleasingly cohesive wabi-sabi aesthetic.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese ko tansu is as versatile as it is beautiful. Its compact footprint makes it an ideal bedroom nightstand -- the varied drawer sizes accommodate everything from books and charging cables to jewelry and accessories, while the double-door cabinet section keeps larger items neatly hidden. In an entryway, it functions as a stylish console for keys, mail, and seasonal accessories. Home office enthusiasts will appreciate it as a desktop-adjacent storage unit for stationery and tech accessories, slotting naturally into a Japandi style or minimalist decor scheme. It also makes a distinctive housewarming gift for anyone who loves vintage Japanese craft or collects antique Asian furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Straight-grained Japanese softwood, likely sugi (cedar) or hinoki (cypress); darkened framework with yakisugi-style scorched finish; blackened cast metal drop handles
• Use: Household storage chest -- used to organize personal belongings, documents, or daily necessities
• Modern Use: Bedroom nightstand and storage chest; entryway console and organizer; home office drawer unit or Japandi-style accent cabinet
• Features: Asymmetric front layout with multiple drawers of varying sizes, a double-door cabinet section with an interior shelf, full-width base drawers, blackened metal drop handles throughout, and a dramatically flame-scorched dark frame contrasting with the warm light wood drawer faces; corner iron fittings on the sides
• Dimensions: 23 3/4"W x 12 1/2"D x 22 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully proportioned piece of vintage Japanese antique furniture -- this ko tansu brings authentic Showa-era craftsmanship and wabi-sabi warmth to any modern living space.

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.