Vintage Japanese Ko-Tansu Portable Drawer Chest, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26J-0176

Vintage Japanese Ko-Tansu Portable Drawer Chest, Early-Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26J-0176

A compact, lockable Japanese drawer chest with original key -- handcrafted for secure storage and built to travel.

A ko-tansu is a small portable chest of drawers used in traditional Japanese households to store documents, valuables, or personal effects that needed to be kept close at hand or carried between rooms. This early-Showa example is constructed from plain-grained softwood -- likely matsu (pine) -- left unfinished to show the natural warmth of the wood, which has deepened to a rich honey tone over decades of use. The four drawers are arranged in a two-by-two grid, each fitted with a cast metal drop-bail pull suspended from a round decorative escutcheon. One drawer retains its original lock mechanism with the key still attached by a braided cord -- a charming and practical detail rarely preserved intact on vintage Japanese vintage furniture. A sturdy iron carry handle is mounted to the top panel, confirming the chest's original role as a portable storage piece, while short bracket feet lift the casing neatly off the floor. The drawer interiors are clean, unlined softwood boxes with hand-cut joinery visible at the corners.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese ko-tansu is as versatile as it is beautiful. Placed on a desk or shelf, it makes a characterful home office organizer -- sorting stationery, cables, or small tools with the satisfying pull of an vintage drawer. On a bedroom dresser or nightstand it works equally well as a jewelry box and keepsake chest, its lockable drawer adding a practical layer of security. For collectors and lovers of Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic, the warm unfinished wood and aged metal hardware bring an effortless organic texture to any living room accent shelf or entryway console. Compact enough to move freely around the home, it also makes a unique housewarming gift or a standout gift for Japanophiles who appreciate honest, functional craftsmanship.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Softwood, likely matsu (pine); cast metal drop-bail drawer pulls and escutcheons; iron top carry handle
• Use: Portable personal storage chest -- originally used to secure documents, valuables, or household essentials
• Modern Use: Desktop organizer or home office storage; bedroom jewelry box or keepsake chest; living room accent piece in a Japandi or wabi-sabi interior
• Features: Four drawers in a two-by-two arrangement; cast metal drop-bail pulls with round escutcheon plates on each drawer; one drawer with working lock and original key on braided cord; iron carry handle on top panel; bracket feet; unfinished natural wood with age patina; clean plain-wood drawer interiors
• Dimensions: 22 1/4"W x 12"D x 12"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare survivor with its original key intact -- a compact piece of vintage Japanese craft that brings warmth, history, and quiet utility 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.