Vintage Japanese Ko tansu, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0217-1

Vintage Japanese Ko tansu, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0217-1

A rare kekkon kinen keepsake chest -- handcrafted bark-surface Ko tansu gifted to commemorate a Showa-era wedding

A Ko tansu is a small tabletop chest used in traditional Japanese homes to store personal valuables, accessories, and keepsakes. This exquisite example is surfaced in what appears to be a richly mottled bark-work veneer -- deep burgundy and amber tones flowing across every panel in the manner of kaba zaiku, a celebrated craft tradition associated with the Tohoku region. The result is a surface of remarkable natural character: no two panels are alike, and the warm amber streaks against the lacquered dark ground create an almost painterly depth. Each pull-out drawer is fitted with a cast metal drop-ring handle with a decorative fan-shaped boss, adding an elegant period detail. The drawer interiors are finished in a vibrant red lacquer, a finishing touch that speaks to the care invested in this piece as a commemorative gift.

The side panel carries a gold-inscribed dedication in vertical script reading "kekkon kinen" -- wedding commemoration -- followed by the names of the couple and a Showa-era date, making this Ko tansu a one-of-a-kind piece of living Japanese history. In a modern home, its compact footprint (just over 10 inches wide) makes it a natural fit on a bedroom dresser as a jewelry box or ring tray, on a home office desk as a stylish small organizer for cards and stationery, or displayed as a standalone decorative accent on a bookshelf or console table. Its wabi-sabi aesthetic and warm bark-like surface pair beautifully with Japandi-style interiors, and its unique provenance makes it an exceptional gift for collectors or Japanophiles who appreciate vintage Japanese craft with a personal story.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa); side inscription references a Showa-era wedding date
• Material: Wood body surfaced in mottled bark-work veneer, possibly kaba (birch bark) in the kaba zaiku tradition; red-lacquered drawer interiors; cast metal drop-ring handles
• Use: Personal storage chest (Ko tansu); originally presented as a kekkon kinen (wedding commemorative) gift
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or ring tray on a bedroom dresser; small desk organizer for home office storage; decorative accent piece in a Japandi or minimalist living room display
• Features: Two pull-out drawers with rounded front edges; decorative fan-boss cast metal drop-ring handles on each drawer; vivid red-lacquered drawer interiors; gold-inscribed side panel dedication with names and Showa-era wedding date; richly mottled amber-and-burgundy bark-surface exterior covering all panels including top and sides
• Dimensions: 10"W x 6"D x 8 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A singular piece of vintage Japanese vintage craft -- where heirloom provenance, regional bark-work artistry, and intimate personal history come together in one beautifully preserved tabletop chest.

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.