Vintage Japanese Ko tansu, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0175

Vintage Japanese Ko tansu, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0175

A compact tabletop tansu in boldly figured hardwood -- a striking accent for Japandi-style interiors and collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

A Ko tansu is a small-format Japanese chest used to store personal valuables, documents, sewing tools, or household sundries within arm's reach. This handsome example, crafted during Japan's Mid Showa period, features drawer fronts and a hinged door panel cut from a richly figured hardwood -- likely kaki (persimmon) or a similarly grained Japanese species -- displaying dramatic tiger-stripe and swirling flame figure in deep amber and near-black. The overhanging top panel, gently rounded at the edges, carries its own quieter version of the same grain, giving the piece a cohesive, jewel-box quality. Multiple pull-out drawers sit alongside a small hinged door fitted with a cast iron ring pull, while each drawer is fitted with a decorative cast iron bail handle in a scrolled, cloud-shaped backplate. Unfinished light wood drawer interiors confirm honest, traditional construction throughout. The whole piece rests on carved bracket feet above a molded base -- details that reflect the care Japanese craftsmen brought even to modest household furniture.

At just fifteen inches wide, this vintage Ko tansu fits beautifully on a bedroom dresser, home office desktop, or bathroom shelf, bringing the warmth of Japanese vintage furniture to any room without demanding floor space. Use the multiple drawers to organize jewelry, rings, and earrings; tuck stationery, stamps, and ink pens into the wider top drawer; or display it on an entryway console as a wabi-sabi decorative accent holding keys and small daily essentials. Its dramatic grain and dark iron hardware make it an equally compelling living room accent piece -- a unique housewarming gift or gift for Japanophiles who appreciate handcrafted Japanese storage with genuine character. The compact footprint also suits a Japandi-style vanity or minimalist decor shelf, where the bold natural figure speaks for itself.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Boldly figured hardwood, possibly kaki (persimmon) or similar Japanese species with pronounced tiger-stripe grain; unfinished secondary wood drawer interiors; cast iron hardware
• Use: Compact household storage for personal valuables, documents, or sewing supplies
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or bedroom organizer; desktop stationery chest for home office storage; decorative entryway accent for keys and daily essentials
• Features: Dramatically grained drawer fronts and door panel; multiple pull-out drawers with scrolled cast iron bail handles; one small hinged door with cast iron ring pull; overhanging top with rounded edges; carved bracket feet; unfinished light wood drawer interiors
• Dimensions: 15"W x 9"D x 10"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully grained piece of vintage Japanese furniture -- as much a work of natural art as it is a practical organizer for the 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.