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Tansu - Japanese Antique Furniture

Japanese tansu are much more than items of furniture. Tansu, extraordinary and versatile wooden cabinetry, dating as far back as 7th-century Japan, represent a rich folk heritage unique in the world. Although created primarily for function and portability, Japanese tansu furniture reflects equally the masterful craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibility found in the finest Japanese art and design.

At Jtansu and www.jcollector.com you will find one of the widest selections of high-quality tansu and other fine Japanese furniture online. Examples include mizuya or kitchen tansu, choba or merchant tansu, kaidan or step tansu, clothing tansu, kimono tansu, funa or ship tansu, sword tansu, futon tansu, display tansu, tea tansu, getabako or shoe tansu, book tansu, trunks, ranma and more.

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Extra-Large Japanese Ranma Transom - TJ2J182

Jtansu Price: $695.00

Large and beautiful Japanese handcarved wood ranma, early 20th-century. Wonderful geometric motif. Skillfully crafted with great detail. Sturdy, warmly colored cedar wood. Ranma are traditionally used in a Japanese room between the sliding room divider and the ceiling. The open work ensures easy flow of air from room to room. Today, they serve as gorgeous decorative accents in any setting. Price shown is for one, but we have a pair. Buy one or both! Very good condition. Dimensions: 84” wide, 27.5” high.

Japanese Getabako, Shoe Tansu - TJ2J183

Jtansu Price: $1,195.00 SOLD

Charming Japanese getabako shoe tansu, early 20th century. Traditionally kept at the entryway of a house to store shoes removed while at home. Fashioned of richly grained cedar and sturdy cypress woods with charming cutout accents. Sliding panels above and below open reveal ample storage space along with a taller cabinet traditionally used to store umbrellas. A simple, sublime statement in any environment! Very good condition. Dimensions: 35” high, 27” wide, 13” deep.

Japanese Hardwood Bench - TJ2J201

Jtansu Price: $395.00

Fine Japanese style hardwood bench, contemporary. An impressive, eye-catching addition to any environment. Wonderful, richly grained camphor wood with natural form and impression. Dark finish and grain may vary slightly from bench to bench. Dimensions: 18" high, 57” wide, 11.5” deep.

Japanese Hardwood Bath Stool - TJ2J202

Jtansu Price: $295.00

Charming Japanese style single-seat hardwood bench or bath stool, contemporary. An eye-catching addition to any environment. Wonderful, richly grained camphor wood with natural form and impression. Dark color and grain may vary slightly from bench to bench. Dimensions: 20.5" high, 18” wide, 9” deep.

Japanese Shoe Tansu, Getabako - TJ2J203

Jtansu Price: $1,195.00

Beautiful Japanese getabako shoe tansu, early 20th century. Traditionally kept at the entryway of a house to store shoes removed while at home. Fashioned of richly grained cedar and sturdy cypress woods. Sliding panels above and below open reveal ample storage space. A sublime statement in any environment! Very good condition. Dimensions:

Japanese Bamboo and Rush Screen Divider - TJ2J204

Jtansu Price: $295.00

Lovely Japanese bamboo and rush screen divider, Taisho period (1912-1926). Beautiful composition with finely arranged bamboo slats, rush and charming cutouts at base. Very good condition. Dimensions:

Japanese Yonezawa Lacquer Clothing Tansu

Japanese Yonezawa Lacquer Clothing Tansu - TO2J429

Jtansu Price: $5,995.00

Superb, rare, two-piece Japanese Yonezawa style red lacquer clothing chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Traditionally displayed with security cabinet on the top of stacked set. Dramatic, highly detailed and wonderfully rendered metalwork throughout featuring mon or family crest. Chest fashioned of richly grained cedar and keyaki woods. Heavyweight mokko style drawer pulls. Deep, roomy drawers offer generous storage. A functional yet eye-catching piece and a remarkable addition to any room. Shown here separately with customized wood stands so that each piece can stand alone. Dimensions: 46” high (stacked), 45” wide, 18” deep. Each half is 23” high.

Japanese Writing Box Tansu, Suzuribako - TC2J128

Jtansu Price: $995.00 SOLD

Exceptional Japanese writing box tansu or suzuribako, Meiji period, c. 1868. A remarkable example of finely grained chestnut wood. Typically the top section would have held the ink stone and the drawers, brushes and accessories. Dynamic metalwork fixtures. Very good condition. Dimensions: 10” high, 9” wide, 13” deep.

Japanese Document Tansu or Ko Dansu - TC2J1211

Jtansu Price: $1,895.00

Unique Japanese document chest tansu or ko dansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Sublime chest fashioned of warm, sturdy cypress wood. Attactive metalwork features hirute-style drawer pulls. Multiple drawers and a pair of cabinets for great storage options. A functional piece exhibiting traditional Japanese style and grace. Very good condition. Dimensions: 29” high, 32.25” wide, 12.75” deep.

Japanese Lacquer Isho Dansu, Clothing Tansu

Japanese Lacquer Isho Dansu, Clothing Tansu - TC2J1212

Jtansu Price: $2,495.00

Striking Japanese two-piece red lacquer isho-dansu or clothing chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1880. Heavyweight metalwork throughout. Fashioned of cedar and kiri (paulownia) woods. Deep, roomy drawers and small cabinet at base offer generous storage options. A functional and eye-catching piece! A remarkable addition to any room. Very good condition. Dimensions: 43.75” high, 36” wide, 18” deep.

Japanese Kimono Tansu, Three-Piece Clothing Chest - TC2J1213

Jtansu Price: $1,895.00

Fine, three-section Japanese kimono dansu clothing chest tansu, Showa period, early 20th century. Lovely, lightweight kiri (paulownia) wood. Simple, beautiful double doors at top swing open to reveal a roomy cabinet within, housing sturdy pull-out drawers for storing folded kimono or clothing. Drawers below offer additional storage options. Lovely, subtle metalwork throughout. A charming piece of traditional tansu craftsmanship, and example of the beauty and functionality found in the Japanese style. Very good condition. Dimensions: 63.25” high, 42” wide, 16.75”.

Japanese Mizuya Kitchen Tansu, Shiga Style

Japanese Mizuya Kitchen Tansu, Shiga Style - TC2J1215

Jtansu Price: $6,295.00

Magnificent Japanese two-section mizuya-dansu or kitchen chest tansu in Shiga style, Taisho period, c. 1912-1926. Traditionally used to store kitchen utensils and supplies. Rich dark finish on a combination of lovely cedar and sturdy cypress woods. Elegant, eye-catching construction offers abundant storage space in large and smaller cupboards housed by several sets of sliding paneled doors of varied design. Multiple drawers offer additional storage options. Dramatic hirute form drawer pulls. A dramatic example of superb Japanese tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 67” high, 71.50” wide, 19.50” deep.

Japanese Kitchen Tansu, Mizuya Chest - TC2J1216

Jtansu Price: $2,995.00

Rustic Japanese two-section mizuya-dansu or kitchen chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Traditionally used to store kitchen utensils and supplies. Fabulous combination of lovely cedar and sturdy cypress woods. Elegant, eye-catching construction offers abundant storage space in large and smaller cupboards housed by several sets of sliding paneled doors of varied design. Multiple drawers offer additional storage options. Fine warabite-style drawer pulls. A dramatic example of superb Japanese tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 64.5” high, 55.5” wide, 17.75” deep.

Japanese Petite Kitchen Tansu or Mizuya - TC2J1217

Jtansu Price: $1,295.00 SOLD

Terrific Japanese ko dansu, small kitchen tansu, early 20th century. Traditionally used to store kitchen utensils and supplies. Fabulous subtle design. Dramatically grained keyaki (zelkova) wood construction. Abundant storage space in large cupboard and multiple drawers. A lovely work of kitchen tansu craftsmanship and a fine example of traditional charm. Very good condition. Dimensions: 36” high, 31.5” wide, 11.5” deep.

Japanese Lacquer Clothing Tansu - TC2J1218

Jtansu Price: $3,995.00

Stunning two-piece Japanese lacquer clothing chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Bold, wonderfully rendered metalwork throughout. Chest fashioned entirely of richly grained cedar and keyaki (zelkova) woods. Deep, roomy drawers offer generous storage. A functional and eye-catching piece and a stunning addition to any room. Very good condition. Dimensions: 43” high, 44.25” wide, 17.5” deep.

Japanese Merchant Choba Tansu - TC2J1219

Jtansu Price: $2,795.00

Bold Japanese choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Exceptional design, featuring multiple drawers and a roomy cabinet. Fashioned of warm, sturdy cedar and cypress woods. Abundant handforged metalwork. Merchant chests were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods. To impress the customers, they were always well designed and constructed of fine, durable materials. A remarkable example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 35” high, 24” wide, 15” deep.

Japanese Clothing Chest Tansu, Isho Dansu

Japanese Clothing Chest Tansu, Isho Dansu - TC2J1220

Jtansu Price: $2,695.00

Impressive two-piece Japanese clothing chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Substantial chest fashioned of warm, lightweight kiri (paulownia) wood. Abundant, dramatic traditional metalwork features bold, circular lockplates and decorative bracketing, making this a rare example of tansu craftsmanship. A variety of drawers offer generous storage space. A sublime and functional piece exhibiting Japanese style and tradition. Very good condition. Dimensions: 41.5” high, 37.5” wide, 17.25” deep.

Japanese Merchant Chest Tansu - TC2J129

Jtansu Price: $2,295.00

Handsome Japanese one-piece choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Traditional design, featuring a variety of drawers and cabinets adorned with simple, heavy metalwork. A nice combination of bold bracketing and warabite style handles makes this a distinctive, eye-catching piece. Merchant chests were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods. To impress the customers, they were always well designed and constructed of fine, sturdy materials. This piece is fashioned of smooth, golden kiri (paulownia) wood. A great example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 30.75” high, 31” wide, 15.25” deep.

Japanese Clothing Tansu, Isho Chest - TD2J51

Jtansu Price: $2,295.00

Beautiful Japanese one-section isho-dansu or clothing chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Striking chest fashioned of kiri (paulownia) woods. Fantastic traditional metalwork features decorative, circular lockplates and heavyweight gumbai style drawer pulls. Additional bracketing accents the entire piece. Abundant, deep drawers offer generous storage space. A sublime and functional piece exhibiting Japanese style and tradition. Very good condition. Dimensions: 40.75” high, 44.75” wide, 15.25” deep.

Japanese Two-Piece Lacquer Shonai Clothing Tansu

Japanese Two-Piece Lacquer Shonai Clothing Tansu - TD2J52

Jtansu Price: $3,895.00

Refined Japanese two-piece lacquer Shonai isho-dansu or clothing chest tansu, early Meiji period, c. 1868-1880. Superb, exquisitely rendered metalwork throughout. Chest fashioned entirely of cedar and kiri (paulownia) woods. Deep, roomy and petite drawers offer generous storage options. A functional and eye-catching piece! A remarkable addition to any room. Very good condition. Dimensions: 42” high, 33.5” wide, 16” deep.

Japanese Mizuya Kitchen Tansu - TD2J53

Jtansu Price: $1,995.00

Lovely Japanese mizuya-dansu or kitchen chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Traditionally used to store kitchen utensils and supplies. Lovely varied design. Wonderful combination of cedar, cypress and richly grained keyaki woods. Configuration offers abundant storage space in large and smaller cupboards housed by sliding paneled doors. Multiple drawers offer additional storage options. Distinctive hirute-style drawer pulls. A stunning work of traditional Japanese kitchen tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 39.25” high, 37.5” wide, 18” deep.

Japanese Two-Section Clothing Tansu, Isho

Japanese Two-Section Clothing Tansu, Isho - TD2J54

Jtansu Price: $2,995.00

Handsome Japanese two-section isho-dansu or clothing chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Striking chest fashioned of warm, golden kiri (paulownia) wood. Fantastic traditional metalwork features decorative, circular lockplates with incised décor and warabite style drawer pulls. Additional bracketing accents the entire piece. Abundant, deep drawers offer generous storage space and a small cabinet affords further options. A sublime and functional piece exhibiting Japanese style and tradition. Very good condition. Dimensions:

Japanese Choba Dansu, Merchant Tansu - TD2J55

Jtansu Price: $2,495.00

Fabulous Japanese choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Traditional design, featuring a variety of drawers and cabinets and substantial metalwork. A wonderful combination of bold, rectangular lockplates and traditional warabite-style handles makes this a distinctive, eye-catching piece. Merchant chests were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods. To impress the customers, they were always well designed and constructed of fine, sturdy materials. Fashioned of warm, golden cypress and kiri woods. A great example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 38” high, 37.5” wide, 15.25” deep.

Japanese Lacquer Clothing Tansu, Yonezawa

Japanese Lacquer Clothing Tansu, Yonezawa Style - TD2J56

Jtansu Price: $2,695.00

Exceptional one-section Japanese Yonezawa style lacquer isho-dansu or clothing chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Boldly designed chest features lightweight kiri wood with rich, red lacquer finish on top and sides. Handsome metalwork features dramatic lockplates and gracefully formed warabite handles which echo the natural arc of the warabi, the Japanese mountain fern for which they are named. Deep, long drawers offer generous storage space and a hinged cabinet at base offers additional options. A fine example of traditional tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 35” high, 41.5” wide, 16” deep.

Japanese Kitchen Mizuya Tansu - TJ1D262

Jtansu Price: $4,995.00 SOLD

Beautiful and substantial Japanese two-section mizuya-dansu or kitchen chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Traditionally used to store kitchen utensils and supplies. Fabulous combination of lovely cedar, sturdy cypress and richly grained keyaki (zelkova) woods. Elegant, eye-catching construction offers abundant storage space in large and smaller cupboards housed by several sets of sliding paneled doors of varied design. Multiple drawers offer additional storage options. Fine warabite-style drawer pulls. A dramatic example of superb Japanese tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 69” high, 68” wide, 19.5” deep.

Japanese Kitchen Tansu, Mizuya w/ Keyaki Accents - TJ1S191

Jtansu Price: $3,295.00

Exquisite Japanese two-section mizuya-dansu or kitchen chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Traditionally used to store kitchen utensils and supplies. Lovely varied design. Wonderful combination of cedar and cypress woods with great graining and color contrast and dynamic addition of keyaki wood for added charm. Configuration offers abundant storage space in large and smaller cupboards housed by sliding paneled and glass doors. Multiple drawers offer additional storage options. Graceful warabite handles. A truly stunning work of kitchen tansu craftsmanship and a lovely example of traditional craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 68" high, 37.75" wide, 17" deep.

Japanese Extra-Wide Kimono Clothing Tansu

Japanese Extra-Wide Kimono Clothing Tansu - TC1D131

Jtansu Price: $1,795.00

Wonderful, extra-wide, two-section Japanese kimono dansu clothing chest tansu, Showa period, early 20th century. Lovely, lightweight kiri (paulownia) wood. Simple, beautiful double doors at top swing open to reveal a roomy cabinet within, housing sturdy pull-out drawers for storing folded kimono or clothing. Drawers below offer additional storage options. Lovely, subtle metalwork throughout. A charming piece of traditional tansu craftsmanship, and a fine example of the beauty and functionality found in the Japanese style. Very good condition. Dimensions: 63.5” high, 42” wide, 17” deep.

Japanese Mizuya Kitchen Tansu, Keyaki Accents

Japanese Mizuya Kitchen Tansu, Keyaki Accents - TC1D132

Jtansu Price: $6,200.00

Outstanding Japanese mizuya-dansu or kitchen chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Traditionally used to store kitchen utensils and supplies. Fabulous varied design. Warm, golden cypress and cedar wood construction with dramatic keyaki wood accents. Eye-catching composition offers abundant storage space in paneled cabinets and drawers. Fine ring-shaped metalwork. A truly striking work of kitchen tansu craftsmanship and a lovely example of traditional charm. Very good condition. Dimensions: 68” high, 71.5” wide, 19.25” deep.

Japanese Ranma Transom, Landscape - TJ1D31A

Jtansu Price: $495.00 SOLD

Striking Japanese handcarved wood ranma, early 20th-century. Beautiful, natural motif features tranquil landscape with pines, mountains, bridge and pagodas. Sturdy, warmly colored and deeply carved cedar wood with appealing definition and striking grain. Black lacquer frame. Ranma are traditionally used in a Japanese room between the sliding room divider and the ceiling. The open work ensures easy flow of air from room to room. Today, they serve as gorgeous decorative accents in any setting. For companion piece, see item TJ1D31B. Buy one or the pair! Very good condition. Dimensions: 73” x 13.5”.

Japanese Ranma, Transom, Landscape - TJ1D31B

Jtansu Price: $495.00 SOLD

Stunning Japanese handcarved wood ranma, early 20th-century. Striking, natural motif features tranquil landscape with pines, mountains, bridge and pagodas. Sturdy, warmly colored and deeply carved cedar wood with appealing definition and striking grain. Black lacquer frame. Ranma are traditionally used in a Japanese room between the sliding room divider and the ceiling. The open work ensures easy flow of air from room to room. Today, they serve as gorgeous decorative accents in any setting! For companion piece, see item TJ1D31A. Buy one or the pair! Very good condition. Dimensions: Dimensions: 73” x 13.5”.