Vintage Japanese Ko-Tansu Three-Drawer Chest, Late Showa (1966-1989) | SKU: 26M-858-3

Vintage Japanese Ko-Tansu Three-Drawer Chest, Late Showa (1966-1989) | SKU: 26M-858-3

A compact vintage Japanese ko-tansu with striking knotted wood grain and hand-cast iron drawer pulls -- a wabi-sabi treasure for the modern home.

A ko-tansu is a small-scale Japanese chest of drawers, traditionally used to organize personal valuables, correspondence, sewing supplies, or medicine in the home. This handcrafted Japanese storage chest dates to the Late Showa period and is finished in a deep reddish-brown lacquer that has mellowed beautifully with age, revealing a dramatic knotted grain pattern across every surface -- a hallmark of kiri (paulownia), the classic tansu wood prized in Japan for its light weight and natural resistance to moisture. Each drawer glides smoothly on hand-fitted wooden runners, and the interiors reveal clean, unfinished natural wood -- a detail consistent with careful vintage Japanese craft. The bold, eye-catching surface texture and the curvaceous hand-cast iron drop pulls give this piece an unmistakable character that sets it apart from generic storage furniture.

Compact enough to sit on a desk, dresser, or bedside table, this ko-tansu is as functional today as it ever was. Use it as a jewelry box and accessories organizer in the bedroom, a desktop organizer for stationery and small tools in the home office, or a bathroom organizer for skincare essentials and grooming items. Its rich, worn finish pairs naturally with Japandi style interiors, wabi-sabi aesthetic spaces, and mid-century modern settings alike. A unique housewarming gift or a standout piece for collectors of vintage Japanese furniture -- this small chest carries decades of quiet, everyday beauty.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Kiri (paulownia) with aged lacquer finish; hand-cast iron drawer pulls
• Use: Small personal storage chest -- originally used to organize household valuables, stationery, sewing notions, or daily necessities
• Modern Use: Bedroom jewelry box and accessories organizer; home office desktop organizer; bathroom organizer for skincare and grooming items
• Features: Multiple pull-out drawers with smooth wooden runners; dramatic knotted grain surface revealed through worn lacquer; each drawer fitted with a curvaceous hand-cast iron drop pull; clean unfinished natural wood drawer interiors; compact tabletop-friendly proportions
• Dimensions: 9"W x 7"D x 12"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully aged piece of vintage Japanese furniture -- where everyday utility meets the quiet, enduring charm of the wabi-sabi aesthetic.

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.