Vintage Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-555-7

Japanese Ko-Tansu Small Chest | Vintage Desk Organizer & Jewelry Cabinet, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-555-7

A handcrafted mid-century hikidashi chest in richly grained hardwood, with calligraphic door panel and dovetail joinery throughout.

A ko-tansu is a compact Japanese storage chest -- smaller in scale than a full tansu but equally refined in its construction -- traditionally used to organize personal effects, correspondence, medicines, or small valuables within the home. This fine example, dating to the Mid Showa period, is built from a boldly grained hardwood consistent with nara (Japanese oak), displaying warm amber tones and pronounced linear grain across every panel. The case combines multiple pull-out hikidashi drawers on the left side with a single hinged door cabinet on the right, the door face decorated with a bold brushwork calligraphic character rendered in black -- a striking design accent rarely seen on functional Japanese antique furniture of this type. Precise finger-jointed dovetail corners reinforce every drawer box, a hallmark of skilled handcrafted Japanese craft, and a small maker's mark is stamped discreetly on the rear panel.

Today this versatile ko-tansu translates beautifully into a modern home. Set it on a bedroom dresser or nightstand as a jewelry cabinet and accessories organizer, letting the drawers hold rings, watches, and keepsakes while the cabinet compartment stores larger items. On a home office desk it serves equally well as a document and stationery organizer, bringing a wabi-sabi aesthetic and Japandi style warmth to any workspace. It also makes a distinctive living room accent piece -- displayed on a shelf or console, the calligraphic door panel becomes a conversation-starting focal point. A wonderful unique gift for collectors or Japanophiles who appreciate handcrafted Japanese antique furniture with genuine character.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Boldly grained hardwood, possibly nara (Japanese oak); black metal drawer pulls and ring latch; black calligraphic decoration on door panel
• Use: Compact personal storage chest -- originally used to organize medicines, small valuables, or personal effects in the home
• Modern Use: Jewelry cabinet and accessories organizer; home office desk organizer and stationery storage; living room or bedroom decor accent piece
• Features: Multiple hikidashi pull-out drawers with arched metal bail pulls; single hinged door cabinet with ring latch and open interior shelf; bold brushwork calligraphic character on door face; finger-jointed dovetail construction on all drawer boxes; rounded top corners; flat plinth base; small maker's stamp on rear panel
• Dimensions: 17"W x 9"D 10"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully crafted piece of Japanese antique furniture -- its calligraphic door panel and dovetail joinery make it a standout addition to any collector's home or Japandi-inspired 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.