Vintage Japanese Ko Tansu Five-Drawer Chest, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0612-1

Vintage Japanese Ko Tansu Five-Drawer Chest, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0612-1

A compact postwar ko Tansu chest with boldly figured drawer fronts and streamlined metal bar pulls -- a refined survivor of Japan's mid-century modernist moment.

A ko Tansu is a small Japanese chest of drawers traditionally used to organize personal accessories, documents, or household sundries. This example, dating to the postwar Mid Showa era (1946-1965), reflects the Western-influenced modernist design that swept Japanese domestic furniture production during Japan's economic recovery. The carcass is built from a lighter secondary wood, while the drawer fronts are faced with a boldly figured dark hardwood veneer -- possibly kaki (persimmon) or keyaki (zelkova) -- displaying a richly swirling, interlocked grain that catches the light with exceptional depth. The case edges are softly rounded, a hallmark of the streamlined aesthetic popular in this period, and the entire exterior is finished in a smooth lacquer that has aged to a warm honey-amber tone. Each drawer is fitted with a stepped metal bar pull in a chrome-like finish, adding a crisp modernist contrast to the warm wood tones. This is a well-crafted example of vintage Japanese furniture from a period when traditional joinery met Western industrial design.

Despite its compact footprint, this chest offers generous multi-drawer storage that translates beautifully into a modern home. Placed bedside, it functions as a charming nightstand with practical bedroom storage for books, glasses, and personal items. In a home office, it earns its keep as a compact desk organizer or lateral file stand -- its multiple drawers keeping stationery, cables, and small supplies neatly sorted. The richly grained drawer fronts and warm lacquer finish also make it a natural fit for Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic interiors, where the beauty of aged natural materials takes center stage. It also makes a thoughtful and unique gift for collectors of mid-century modern or vintage Japanese furniture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Boldly figured hardwood veneer drawer fronts, possibly kaki (persimmon) or keyaki (zelkova); lighter secondary wood carcass and drawer interiors; smooth lacquer finish; stepped metal bar pulls
• Use: Personal accessory and document storage chest
• Modern Use: Bedside nightstand with bedroom storage; home office desk organizer or file stand; living room accent cabinet in Japandi or mid-century modern interiors
• Features: Multiple stacked drawers with richly figured veneer fronts; softly rounded case corners and edges; streamlined stepped metal bar pulls on each drawer; lighter unfinished wood drawer interiors; warm amber lacquer exterior finish
• Dimensions: 15"W x 14 3/4"D x 21 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A striking piece of vintage Japanese furniture -- where mid-century modernist design and the natural beauty of figured Japanese hardwood come together in one compact, versatile 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.