Vintage Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-098

Japanese Ko-Tansu Hikidashi Small Chest | Vintage Jewelry Box & Desk Organizer, 1945-1966 (MId Showa), SKU 26M-098

A lacquered two-drawer ko-tansu with swirling mokume-grained surfaces and lacquered interior compartments -- a rare find in Japanese antique furniture.

A ko-tansu is a compact personal storage chest used in Japanese households to keep small valuables, documents, or personal effects neatly arranged on a desk or low shelf. This handsome example features a deep crimson lacquer finish applied over a wood body, with an extraordinarily decorative surface treatment mimicking mokume -- a swirling wood-grain or cloud pattern etched into the lacquer in dark relief across every face of the piece. The elongated rectangular form houses two pull-out hikidashi (drawers), each fitted with a cast metal drop pull accented by a finely ridged circular boss. The interior of the upper drawer is thoughtfully divided into several lacquered compartments finished in glossy black, while the lower drawer offers an open tray -- a classic layout in vintage Japanese craft for organizing items of different sizes. Black-lacquered corner edging frames each surface and adds structural refinement typical of quality Showa-era production.

In a modern home, this ko-tansu makes an exceptionally stylish jewelry box or vanity organizer -- the divided upper drawer is ideal for rings, earrings, and small accessories, while the lower tray suits bracelets or folded keepsakes. Placed on a home office desk, it serves beautifully as a desktop organizer for stationery, business cards, or small tools, lending a Japandi aesthetic to any workspace. It also works as a living room accent piece on a console or shelf, bringing the wabi-sabi warmth of aged lacquer into minimalist decor. A truly unique gift for collectors or Japanophiles who appreciate the artistry of handcrafted Japanese lacquerware.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1945-1966 (MId Showa)
• Material: Wood body with red lacquer finish; mokume-pattern engraved surface decoration; black lacquer interior; cast metal drop pulls
• Use: Personal desktop storage chest (ko-tansu) for valuables, documents, or small personal effects
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or vanity organizer; home office desk organizer; decorative living room accent piece
• Features: Two pull-out hikidashi drawers; swirling mokume lacquer decoration on all exterior surfaces; black-lacquered corner edging; upper drawer fitted with multiple interior compartments; lower drawer as open tray; each drawer with a cast metal drop pull on a ridged boss
• Dimensions: 4"W x 11"D x3"H
• Condition: Excellent

A striking piece of Japanese antique lacquerware that brings the timeless artistry of the hikidashi tradition into 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.