Vintage Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-555-1

Japanese Hikidashi Small Chest | Vintage Jewelry Box & Desk Organizer, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-555-1

A compact mid-century hikidashi drawer chest with ornate cast-metal pulls and rich russet lacquer -- a quietly beautiful piece of vintage Japanese craft.

A ko-tansu is a small-format Japanese storage chest, and the hikidashi -- meaning "pull-out drawer" -- version was a popular household staple throughout the Showa era. Compact enough to sit on a writing desk or dressing table, these little chests were used to organize personal effects: hairpins, stamps, letter seals, sewing notions, and other small treasures. This example is finished in a deep, warm russet lacquer applied over a wood core, giving it an even, velvety surface that has developed a pleasing patina with age. Each drawer front is centered with a cast-metal pull in an elaborate openwork design -- a cloud-and-floral motif typical of mid-century Japanese decorative hardware -- adding a touch of refined ornament to an otherwise cleanly proportioned form. The drawer interiors are lacquered black, and a small curved finger-notch cut into the back edge of each drawer floor aids in lifting small items out. This is a genuinely handcrafted Japanese antique with the kind of quiet character that mass-produced storage boxes simply cannot replicate.

Today this ko-tansu translates beautifully into modern interiors. On a bedroom dresser it becomes a jewelry box par excellence -- each shallow hikidashi drawer ideal for rings, earrings, bracelets, or watches. On a home office desk it works as a stylish desk organizer for stationery, business cards, and small supplies, complementing a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic with its aged lacquer warmth. It would also make a charming bathroom organizer for cotton buds, clips, and skincare accessories. A compact, self-contained object with real decorative presence, it makes a memorable gift for collectors or a unique housewarming gift for anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese antique furniture with everyday function.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Wood core with russet lacquer finish; lacquered black drawer interiors; cast-metal openwork drawer pulls
• Use: Personal storage chest -- originally used to organize small household items such as sewing notions, stationery, and accessories
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or accessory organizer; home office desk organizer for stationery and small supplies; bathroom organizer for grooming accessories
• Features: Multiple pull-out hikidashi drawers of uniform depth; each drawer fitted with an ornate cast-metal openwork pull in a cloud-and-floral motif; finger-notch cut into drawer floor for easy retrieval; lacquered black drawer interiors; rounded top corners; small feet raising the base
• Dimensions: 10"W x 12"D x 11"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition -- surface shows light wear and minor scuffs consistent with age; all drawers slide smoothly; hardware intact

A beautifully preserved piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this hikidashi ko-tansu brings warmth, craftsmanship, and quietly elegant storage 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 and antique 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.