Vintage Japanese Hakobi Tansu Portable Personal Chest, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-777-4

Vintage Japanese Hakobi Tansu Portable Personal Chest, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-777-4

A compact multi-drawer personal chest in boldly striped hardwood -- striking grain, meticulous joinery, and a hidden lidded compartment within.

A hakobi tansu -- or portable personal chest -- is a compact Japanese storage box designed to sit on a dressing table or beside a futon, keeping personal effects neatly organized and close at hand. This handcrafted Japanese vintage chest dates to the Early Showa period (1927-1945), a time when Western influences were blending with traditional Japanese craft to produce furniture of remarkable refinement. The exterior is entirely clad in a boldly grained dark hardwood veneer -- possibly kaki (persimmon) or a similarly figured Japanese timber -- displaying deep red-brown tones with dramatic parallel striping that runs consistently across every face and drawer front. The construction is precise: drawer sides and bottoms are fitted in unfinished lighter wood, a hallmark of quality Japanese joinery, while the exterior surfaces are finished to a smooth, lacquer-like sheen. Each drawer is fitted with a recessed metal bar pull, elegant in its simplicity. Most notably, the hinged lid at the top opens to reveal a partitioned interior tray with several divided compartments -- a clever design element that adds a layer of hidden storage above the pull-out drawers below.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese chest is as functional as it is beautiful. On a bedroom dresser, it makes an exceptional jewelry box and accessory organizer -- the divided top tray is ideal for rings, earrings, and small keepsakes, while the deeper drawers below hold scarves, watches, or folded handkerchiefs. In a home office, it works beautifully as a desktop organizer for stationery, writing tools, and personal correspondence. Its compact footprint and Japandi-style aesthetic also make it a striking living room accent piece or nightstand companion, adding warmth and the wabi-sabi beauty of aged natural wood to any setting. A truly unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors of Japanese vintage furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Boldly grained hardwood veneer, possibly kaki (persimmon) or similarly figured Japanese timber; lighter wood drawer interiors; recessed metal bar pulls
• Use: Personal storage chest for a dressing table or bedside -- used to organize clothing accessories, cosmetics, writing tools, and small valuables
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and accessory organizer on a bedroom dresser; desktop organizer for a home office; decorative accent piece in a living room or entryway in Japandi or wabi-sabi style
• Features: Hinged lift-top lid revealing a divided interior tray with multiple compartments; several pull-out drawers of varying depths in a stepped asymmetric layout; recessed metal bar pull on each drawer; consistent dramatic grain running across all exterior surfaces; clean unfinished wood drawer interiors with well-fitted joinery
• Dimensions: 13"W x 8"D x 10"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and beautifully preserved piece of Japanese vintage furniture -- its striking striped grain and clever multi-compartment design bring warmth, history, and quiet sophistication 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 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.