Vintage Japanese Ko tansu, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-709-2

Vintage Japanese Ko tansu, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-709-2

A compact lift-top storage chest with burl-patterned drawer fronts and asymmetric layout -- a rare survivor of early Showa domestic craftsmanship.

A Ko tansu is a small personal storage chest used in Japanese households to organize everyday essentials -- sewing tools, stationery, toiletries, or keepsakes -- within arm's reach. This example, dating to the early Showa period (1927-1945), reflects the era's characteristic blend of traditional Japanese joinery and Western-influenced form. The front-facing surfaces are finished with a richly figured burl-patterned veneer -- its swirling, eye-like grain adding warmth and visual interest far beyond its modest scale. The structure is built over a plain secondary wood carcass, visible in the clean, unfinished drawer interiors, a hallmark of honest Japanese vintage furniture construction. A hinged lift-top lid, secured by a pair of decorative metal butterfly hinges, opens to reveal a shallow open compartment ideal for flat or frequently accessed items, while the body below houses multiple pull-out drawers in an asymmetric arrangement -- a mix of side-by-side smaller drawers and wider graduated drawers below. Each drawer is fitted with a small round brass-tone knob pull, patinated with age and use. The whole piece rests on a flat plinth base, keeping the silhouette clean and grounded.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese small chest makes a beautiful and highly functional bedroom decor accent -- placed on a dresser top or nightstand as a jewelry box, with the lift-top compartment holding rings and bracelets and the drawers organizing watches, earrings, and other small accessories. On a home office desk, it works equally well as a compact desktop organizer for stationery, USB drives, and everyday carry items, lending a wabi-sabi aesthetic to an otherwise utilitarian workspace. Its compact footprint and warm burl-patterned surface also make it a natural living room accent piece -- displayed on a bookshelf or side table as a collector's object in its own right. A thoughtful and unique gift for collectors of vintage Japanese craft or anyone who appreciates Japandi style decor with genuine history behind it.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Burl-patterned hardwood veneer on drawer fronts and upper section; plain secondary wood carcass and drawer interiors; metal butterfly hinges; brass-tone knob pulls
• Use: Personal tabletop storage chest for small household items -- sewing tools, stationery, toiletries, or keepsakes
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or bedroom dresser organizer; desktop organizer for home office storage; living room accent or collector's display piece
• Features: Hinged lift-top lid with decorative metal butterfly hinges and shallow open compartment; multiple pull-out drawers in an asymmetric layout including side-by-side smaller drawers and a wider lower drawer; burl-patterned veneer across all front-facing surfaces; small round brass-tone knob pulls; flat plinth base; plain unfinished secondary wood drawer interiors
• Dimensions: --
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully preserved piece of vintage Japanese vintage furniture -- its burl-figured surfaces and honest joinery bringing quiet warmth and collector's character to any modern interior.

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.