Vintage Japanese Chabudai Low Table, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0785

Vintage Japanese Chabudai Low Table, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0785

A stunning keyaki veneer chabudai with dramatic swirling grain and urushi lacquer finish -- folding legs for effortless storage.

A chabudai is a traditional Japanese low floor table designed for seated dining, tea, and conversation in tatami rooms. Used at floor level with cushions or zabuton, the chabudai has been a centerpiece of Japanese domestic life for centuries, bringing family and guests together in an intimate, grounded setting. This example showcases a richly figured keyaki (zelkova) veneer surface finished with urushi lacquer -- a pairing that elevates the table from everyday furnishing to a genuine work of craft. The swirling, topographic grain of the keyaki veneer is exceptionally bold, with deep amber and auburn tones that seem to shift with the light. A maker's label affixed to the underside confirms the surface material as natural keyaki veneer with urushi lacquer treatment, and the legs and frame as natural tamo (Japanese ash) wood -- a combination favored in quality Japanese furniture for its visual contrast and structural integrity. The splayed, gently curved tamo legs lend the piece an elegant, almost sculptural silhouette that sets it apart from plainer chabudai designs.

In a modern home, this chabudai is remarkably versatile and easy to live with. Its folding legs -- secured by metal hinges on the underside -- allow the table to collapse completely flat for compact storage when not in use, making it ideal for smaller living spaces. Use it as a low living room coffee table in a Japandi-style or wabi-sabi aesthetic interior, where its warm lacquered grain becomes the natural focal point. It works equally well as a floor dining table for casual meals, a floor desk for reading and writing, or a display platform for art objects and botanicals in a meditation or yoga room. At nearly three feet wide, it has generous surface area for entertaining. This chabudai would make a thoughtful and distinctive housewarming gift or gift for collectors of Japanese vintage furniture and design objects.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Natural keyaki (zelkova) veneer top surface with urushi lacquer finish; tamo (Japanese ash) legs and frame; metal folding hinges
• Use: Low floor-level dining and tea table for tatami or seated use
• Modern Use: Living room coffee table in a Japandi or minimalist decor setting; floor dining table or casual entertaining surface; yoga or meditation room display platform
• Features: Dramatically figured keyaki veneer with bold swirling grain; urushi lacquer gloss finish; splayed curved tamo legs with elegant silhouette; folding leg mechanism with metal hinges for flat storage; breadboard-style cleats on underside; original maker's label confirming materials
• Dimensions: 35 3/4"W x 18"D x 12"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully crafted piece of Japanese furniture that brings the warmth of natural keyaki grain and the quiet elegance of urushi lacquer into any modern living space.

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.