Vintage Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-963

Japanese Ko Tansu Small Chest | Vintage Jewelry Box & Desktop Organizer, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-963

A compact hikidashi drawer chest in richly lacquered hardwood -- refined Japanese storage craft for the desktop or dresser top.

A ko tansu is a small-scale Japanese chest of drawers, traditionally used to organize personal effects, documents, or craft supplies on a writing desk or low shelf. This Late Showa-era example is built in the classic hikidashi style -- "hikidashi" meaning pull-out drawers -- featuring multiple stacked drawers housed in a tightly jointed, nearly square carcass. The exterior is finished in a deep reddish-brown lacquer that reveals a subtly figured grain beneath, consistent with a boldly grained hardwood. Each drawer is fitted with a dark metal bar pull, simple and utilitarian in the best Japanese tradition. The drawer interiors show clean, unfinished secondary wood typical of quality Japanese antique furniture construction of the period. The piece rests on a slim plinth base, adding a quiet architectural finish to the overall form.

Today this handcrafted Japanese ko tansu translates beautifully into a modern home. Placed on a vanity or dresser, it becomes a charming jewelry box and accessory organizer -- each drawer perfect for rings, earrings, or small keepsakes. On a home office desk it serves as a compact desktop organizer for stationery, USB drives, or art supplies, lending a wabi-sabi aesthetic to any workspace. Its compact, cube-like proportions also make it ideal for bathroom counter storage or as a bedside accent in a Japandi style bedroom. A thoughtful housewarming gift or gift for collectors of vintage Japanese craft, this piece brings calm, functional beauty to any room it inhabits.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Boldly grained hardwood, deep reddish-brown lacquer finish; dark metal bar pulls; unfinished secondary wood drawer interiors
• Use: Desktop or dresser-top personal storage chest (ko tansu); hikidashi pull-out drawer organizer
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and accessory organizer; home office desktop storage; bathroom counter or bedside accent in a Japandi or minimalist decor setting
• Features: Multiple stacked pull-out drawers; dark metal bar pull on each drawer; slim plinth base; tightly jointed near-square carcass; lacquered exterior with visible wood figure; clean unfinished drawer interiors
• Dimensions: 10"W x 9"D x 9 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully crafted piece of vintage Japanese furniture that brings the quiet order and warmth of traditional tansu craftsmanship to any modern home or workspace.

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.