Vintage Japanese Chabudai Low Table, Mid Showa circa 1957 | SKU: 26J-0517-1

Vintage Japanese Chabudai Low Table, Mid Showa circa 1957 | SKU: 26J-0517-1

A mid-century Japanese floor table with a rich red lacquer finish and a hand-inscribed ownership mark dated to Showa 32 (1957).

A chabudai is a traditional Japanese low table used on tatami floors for family meals, tea gatherings, and everyday living. Seated guests would kneel or sit cross-legged around it, placing the table at the heart of domestic life in postwar Japan. This example features a wide rectangular top with gently rounded corners, finished in a deep red lacquer-style coating that glows with decades of use. The warm honey-toned underside reveals a sturdy crossbar stretcher frame and a folding leg mechanism -- a practical feature that allowed the table to be stowed flat when not in use, a hallmark of thoughtful Japanese furniture design. Hand-brushed characters on the underside read "32 nen" and "Inoue-yo," indicating the year Showa 32 (1957) and the family or person for whom the table was made -- a rare and personal provenance detail that adds genuine historical character to this piece of vintage Japanese craft.

Today, the chabudai translates beautifully into modern interiors. Its low profile and generous rectangular surface make it a natural fit as a living room coffee table, lending a wabi-sabi aesthetic to any seating arrangement. Placed atop a woven rug with floor cushions or a low sofa, it anchors a Japandi-style or minimalist decor scheme with ease. It also works wonderfully as a floor desk for reading, journaling, or laptop work in a bedroom or home office corner. The rich red surface, worn to a characterful patina, makes this a meaningful housewarming gift or a standout find for collectors of Japanese vintage furniture and mid-century everyday objects.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), circa Showa 32 (1957) per underside inscription
• Material: Wood with red lacquer-style finish on top surface; natural wood underside and leg frame
• Use: Traditional Japanese low floor dining and tea table for tatami room settings
• Modern Use: Living room coffee table; floor desk for reading or laptop use; Japandi-style accent table with floor cushions
• Features: Rectangular top with rounded corners; deep red lacquer-style surface with age patina; folding leg frame with crossbar stretcher construction; hand-brushed underside inscription noting Showa 32 (1957) and original owner name "Inoue"
• Dimensions: 35"W x 23 1/4"D x 11 1/2"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition -- surface shows age-appropriate scratches and wear consistent with decades of use; structure and legs appear solid

A storied piece of mid-century Japanese vintage furniture, carrying a family name and a year on its underside -- ready to begin its next chapter in 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 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.