Vintage Japanese Sliding-Door Tansu with Slatted Panels, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-G0111

Vintage Japanese Sliding-Door Tansu with Slatted Panels, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-G0111

A handcrafted Japanese sliding-door tansu with slatted panels, interior shelving, and a deep base drawer -- a striking piece of vintage Japanese furniture ready for modern living.

A tansu is a traditional Japanese storage cabinet built to organize and protect household belongings, and this mid-Showa example shows the practical elegance that defines the form. The exterior is finished in a deep, dark lacquer applied over a solid wood carcass, lending the piece a rich burgundy-brown tone that deepens with age. The front features a pair of sliding doors faced with warm-toned vertical slat panels -- a style reminiscent of the koshi lattice found in traditional Japanese architecture -- set within the dark lacquered frame. This two-tone contrast between the natural wood slats and the lacquered surround is characteristic of mid-century Japanese domestic furniture and gives the piece a quiet, graphic quality. Inside, one door slides open to reveal a shelved compartment for open storage, while the opposite side conceals a stacked arrangement of smaller interior drawers fitted with brass drop pulls. A wide, full-width pull-out drawer at the base -- fitted with a pair of ornate cast iron drop handles -- provides generous additional storage. Side carry handles complete the design, a practical feature common to tansu built for households where furniture was moved seasonally.

This handcrafted Japanese tansu adapts beautifully to a range of modern uses. Its compact footprint -- just over two feet wide and under two feet tall -- makes it an ideal entryway console or hallway accent table, with the base drawer perfect for storing keys, scarves, or everyday essentials. In a bedroom, it functions as a low nightstand or bedside cabinet with understated wabi-sabi aesthetic appeal. In a home office or living room accent setting, the interior shelving neatly organizes books, media, or display objects, while the slatted doors allow a glimpse of contents without fully exposing them. The dark lacquer and natural wood tones sit comfortably within Japandi style interiors, mid-century modern schemes, and minimalist decor alike. A thoughtful housewarming gift or a standout find for collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Solid wood with dark lacquered exterior; natural wood interior (likely sugi/cedar); cast iron drop handles and side carry handles
• Use: General household storage tansu -- originally used to organize clothing, linens, or household goods
• Modern Use: Entryway console or hallway accent table; bedroom nightstand or low sideboard; living room display cabinet with concealed storage
• Features: Pair of sliding slatted-panel doors; interior shelving on one side; multiple small interior drawers with brass drop pulls on the other side; wide full-width base drawer with ornate cast iron handles; side carry handles; dark lacquer exterior with warm natural wood slat contrast
• Dimensions: 25 1/2"W x 11 3/4"D x 22"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully preserved piece of vintage Japanese furniture -- this sliding-door tansu brings the warmth of traditional Japanese craft and the timeless appeal of wabi-sabi aesthetic 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.