Vintage Japanese Ko-Tansu Chest of Drawers with Grape-Leaf Marquetry, Late Showa (1966-1989) | SKU: 26M-858-1

Vintage Japanese Ko-Tansu Chest of Drawers with Grape-Leaf Marquetry, Late Showa (1966-1989) | SKU: 26M-858-1

A handcrafted Japanese ko-tansu with grape-leaf marquetry and red-lined drawers -- a warm, decorative accent for any modern home.

A ko-tansu is a compact, tabletop-scale version of the traditional Japanese tansu chest, designed to store small valuables, accessories, or keepsakes within easy reach. This charming example, crafted during the Late Showa era, showcases the skill of Japanese craftsmen who built practical storage with genuine artistic care. The body is constructed from boldly figured wood -- the swirling, flame-like grain visible on the sides and top is consistent with keyaki (zelkova), a prized Japanese hardwood long favored for its dramatic figuring. The drawer fronts, lighter in tone with a straighter grain, appear to be sugi (Japanese cedar) or a similar softwood panel, a classic pairing found in mid-century Japanese furniture. Each drawer front is decorated with a flowing motif of grape leaves and curling vines rendered in darker wood inlay or pyrography, cascading gracefully across the facade. Black iron corner fittings protect every edge, and cast metal bail pulls with decorative scrollwork give each drawer a satisfying, traditional feel.

This vintage Japanese ko-tansu is as versatile as it is beautiful in a modern setting. Its compact footprint makes it an ideal jewelry box or bedroom organizer -- sit it on a dresser to corral rings, earrings, and watches, with the red-lined drawers providing a luxurious, protective interior. It works equally well as a home office storage box for stationery, small tech accessories, or keepsakes, or as a living room accent piece on a shelf or console table. The warm honey tones, natural wood grain, and iron hardware make it a natural fit for Japandi style interiors or wabi-sabi aesthetic arrangements. A distinctive and thoughtful housewarming gift for collectors or anyone who loves handcrafted Japanese vintage furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Boldly figured hardwood body, possibly keyaki (zelkova); lighter-toned wood drawer fronts, possibly sugi (cedar); cast metal hardware; red fabric drawer liners
• Use: Compact personal storage chest for accessories, valuables, and keepsakes
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or bedroom organizer; home office desktop storage; decorative accent in a Japandi or wabi-sabi living room arrangement
• Features: Multiple drawers in a stepped layout -- upper tier split into two side-by-side drawers, lower tiers each housing a single full-width drawer; grape-leaf and vine motif on each drawer front; red-lined drawer interiors; black iron corner hardware throughout; cast metal bail pulls with scroll detail
• Dimensions: 9 1/2"W 8"D x 11"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully detailed piece of vintage Japanese furniture that brings the warmth of traditional craftsmanship and wabi-sabi charm 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 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.