Antique Japanese Ko-Tansu (Small Personal Chest), Taisho, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-719-1

Antique Japanese Ko-Tansu (Small Personal Chest), Taisho, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-719-1

A compact Taisho-era ko-tansu in dramatically figured hardwood -- a rare collector's piece with a hinged lid compartment and multiple pull-out drawers.

A ko-tansu is a small Japanese personal chest, traditionally used to store valuables, writing implements, medicine, or sewing tools within arm's reach of the owner. This fine example dates to the Taisho period (1912-1926), an era that saw Japanese craftsmen blend refined Meiji-era joinery traditions with a growing appreciation for naturally expressive wood grain. The piece is constructed from a boldly figured hardwood -- most likely kaki (persimmon) or keyaki (zelkova) -- whose swirling, flame-like grain pattern flows seamlessly across every surface, a hallmark of a skilled craftsman who carefully book-matched and selected his timber. The hinged lid reveals an interior tray with divided compartments, while the front presents a compact arrangement of pull-out drawers fitted with cast metal ring pulls and a turned wood knob. The joinery is tight and precise, and the warm amber-brown patina speaks to over a century of careful ownership. A beautiful example of antique Japanese craft and handcrafted Japanese small furniture.

In a modern home, this antique ko-tansu earns its place far beyond the storage room. Displayed on a bedroom dresser or nightstand, it makes a stunning jewelry box -- its divided interior tray ideal for rings, earrings, and small keepsakes, while the drawers below hold larger pieces or watches. On a home office desk, it serves beautifully as a desktop organizer, corralling stationery, USB drives, and notecards with quiet elegance. Its compact footprint and wabi-sabi aesthetic also make it a natural accent piece for a Japandi-style living room shelf or entryway console. A truly unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors of Japanese antique furniture, it carries a century of history into any contemporary interior.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Boldly figured hardwood, possibly kaki (persimmon) or keyaki (zelkova); cast metal hardware
• Use: Personal storage chest for valuables, writing tools, sewing implements, or medicine
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and keepsake chest; desktop organizer for home office storage; decorative bedroom or living room accent
• Features: Hinged lift-top lid with divided interior compartments; multiple pull-out drawers below in an asymmetric layout; cast metal ring pulls on larger drawers and a turned wood knob on the smaller drawer; two recessed metal lid lifts on the top surface; dramatically figured grain consistent across all faces; raised base plinth
• Dimensions: 11 1/2"W x 7"D x 9"H
• Condition: Excellent

A century-old piece of Japanese antique furniture whose extraordinary grain and quiet craftsmanship bring warmth, history, and wabi-sabi elegance 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 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.