Antique Japanese Ko tansu, Taisho period, circa 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-719-3

Antique Japanese Ko tansu, Taisho period, circa 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-719-3

A boldly grained Taisho-era personal storage chest with lift-top compartment, multiple drawers, and beautifully aged metal hardware.

A Ko tansu is a compact Japanese personal storage chest -- "ko" meaning small -- designed to sit on a surface or low shelf and keep everyday valuables neatly at hand. This handcrafted Japanese antique furniture piece dates to the Taisho period (1912-1926), an era when urban Japanese households prized well-made personal chests for storing sewing tools, hair accessories, documents, and other treasured items. The exterior panels are fashioned from a boldly striped dark hardwood -- likely kaki (persimmon) or a similarly figured Japanese species -- whose tightly packed linear grain creates a dramatic, almost graphic surface that only deepens with age. The lift-top lid is secured by a pair of decorative cloud-shaped brass hinge plates, an elegant hardware detail typical of quality Taisho craftsmanship. Below, multiple pull-out drawers are fitted with slender bar pulls, while a smaller side compartment with a floral brass knob adds visual variety and extra storage versatility. Drawer interiors are lined with lighter, unfinished wood, contrasting beautifully with the rich exterior.

Today this antique Japanese craft piece translates seamlessly into modern interior settings. On a bedroom dresser it functions superbly as a jewelry box -- its lift-top compartment ideal for rings and necklaces, its drawers perfect for smaller accessories. On a home office desk it doubles as a handsome desktop organizer for pens, correspondence, and small essentials, lending a wabi-sabi aesthetic to any workspace. Its compact footprint also makes it a striking living room accent, displayed as a standalone decorative object that invites curiosity and admiration. A rare and thoughtful housewarming gift for collectors and Japanophiles alike, this piece carries over a century of quiet elegance into any modern home.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Taisho period, circa 1912-1926
• Material: Boldly striped dark hardwood exterior, possibly kaki (persimmon) or similar figured Japanese species; lighter wood drawer interiors; brass hinge plates and metal bar pulls
• Use: Personal storage chest for accessories, sewing tools, documents, and valuables
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or bedroom dresser accent; desktop organizer for a home office; decorative living room display piece
• Features: Hinged lift-top lid with decorative cloud-form brass hinge plates; multiple pull-out drawers each fitted with a slender bar pull; small side compartment with floral brass knob; plain wood drawer interiors; recessed side handles on top surface for carrying; compact tabletop-scale proportions
• Dimensions: --
• Condition: Excellent

A rare piece of Japanese antique furniture -- over a century of artisan craft, wrapped in one of nature's most striking wood grains, ready to bring warmth and history to your 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.