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Japanese Merchant Tansu

Japanese merchant tansu or choba dansu were traditionally used by shop merchants to store valuable goods or documents, account books and paper goods.

To impress the customers, Japanese merchant chests were always well designed and constructed of fine, sturdy materials. Merchant tansu feature a variety of creative and exceptionally beautiful storage options including drawers of all sizes, elaborately decorated paneling and often secret compartments.

They combine the finest of Japanese woods including keyaki (zelcova), cypress, cedar, persimmon and chestnut, with highly detailed ironwork for a stunning impact in any room of the modern home.

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Japanese Wheeled Tansu, Karuma Dansu - TCXJL146

Jtansu Price: $9,995.00

Rare Japanese karuma-dansu wheeled tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. An impressive, imposing piece of cypress and cedar woods and dramatic keyaki (zelkova) woods. This type of chest originated in the early 1700s, featuring wheels for utility. Used both in homes and shops, some, like this example, were simple but handsome, others were more ornate. Rich red lacquer finish, highly appealing slatted paneling. Bottom interior features drawers for great storage options. A fantastic, hard-to-find piece! Very good condition. Dimensions: 67” high, 68.5” wide, 27” deep.

Japanese Choba Merchant Tansu, Extra-Wide

Japanese Choba Merchant Tansu, Extra-Wide - TCXJL149

Jtansu Price: $5,995.00

Remarkable and substantial Japanese choba-dansu or merchant chest, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Gorgeous combination of lovely cedar and sturdy cypress with rich, dark finish. Elegant, eye-catching construction offers huge storage space in large cabinet with varied drawers for additional storage options. A rare and dramatic example of superb Japanese tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 55.5” high, 112” wide, 17.5” deep.

Japanese Merchant or Clothing Tansu, Petite Chest - TJXMY251

Jtansu Price: $995.00

Lovely Japanese merchant or clothing chest tansu, Taisho period, c. 1912-1926. Golden cypress and rare, knotted cedar woods complemented by striking, heavyweight metalwork. Roomy cabinet with several drawers at base. Traditional warabite style drawer pulls. A wonderful example of elegance and simplicity in traditional tansu craftsmanship! Very good condition. Dimensions: 26” high, 37" wide, 16.5" deep. Shown here with optional standard wooden stand, 6.5" high.

Japanese Merchant or Clothing Isho Tansu

Japanese Merchant or Clothing Isho Tansu - TJXMY252

Jtansu Price: $1,795.00
Sale Price: $1,495.00

Striking Japanese merchant or clothing chest tansu, Taisho period, c. 1912-1926. Golden cypress and rare, knotted cedar woods complemented by striking, heavyweight metalwork. Roomy and varied drawers for storage. Traditional warabite style drawer pulls. A wonderful example of elegance and simplicity in traditional tansu craftsmanship! Very good condition. Dimensions: 41.5” high, 37" wide, 16.5" deep.

Japanese Lacquer Merchant or Clothing Tansu

Japanese Lacquer Merchant or Clothing Tansu - TCXA284

Jtansu Price: $8,995.00

Magnificent two-piece Japanese lacquer merchant or clothing chest tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Dramatic, finely crafted metalwork throughout with exceptionally detailed lockplates. Fashioned of richly grained keyaki and cedar woods. Deep, roomy drawers offer generous storage and a small cabinet at center offers additional options. A spectacular piece and remarkable addition to any room. Dimensions: 42” high, 42.5” wide, 18” deep.

Japanese Choba Merchant Tansu - TJ910221

Jtansu Price: $1,895.00
Sale Price: $1,695.00

Great Japanese choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Traditional design, featuring a trio of drawers and beautiful slatted paneled cabinet. 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 cedar woods. A great example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 31” high, 47” wide, 16” deep.

Japanese Merchant Tansu, Cedar and Cypress Choba - TJ910245

Jtansu Price: $1,695.00
Sale Price: $1,495.00

Fine Japanese choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Traditional design, featuring multiple drawers, beautiful slatted and paneled cabinets. 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 cedar woods. A great example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 32” high, 36.5” wide, 15.5” deep.

Japanese Choba Dansu Merchant Tansu - TJ910246

Jtansu Price: $2,595.00
Sale Price: $2,295.00

Fabulous Japanese choba-dansu or merchant chest tansu, Meiji period c. 1868-1912. Traditional design featuring a variety of drawers and a cabinet housed by pair of slatted panels. Merchant chests were 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 cedar woods. A great example of merchant tansu craftsmanship. Shown here with optional custom wooden stand. Very good condition. Dimensions: 61" width, 22" height, 16.25" depth.

Japanese Merchant Chest, Mizuya Tansu - TJ9J255

Jtansu Price: $3,495.00
Sale Price: $2,995.00 SOLD

Beautiful and substantial Japanese two-section choba-dansu or merchant chest, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Gorgeous combination of lovely cedar and sturdy cypress. Elegant, eye-catching construction offers huge storage space in large cabinet above, smaller one below along with varied drawers for additional storage options. Warabite form drawer pulls. A rare and dramatic example of superb Japanese tansu craftsmanship. Very good condition. Dimensions: 61” high, 61” wide, 16.25” deep.

Japanese Merchant or Clothing Tansu - TJ9F191

Jtansu Price: $2,595.00
Sale Price: $2,295.00

Dramatic two-piece Japanese merchant or clothing chest tansu, Taisho period, c. 1912-1926. Golden cypress and rare, knotted cedar woods complemented by striking, heavyweight metalwork. Roomy cabinet above, numerous drawers in a combination of sizes below. Traditional warabite style drawer pulls. A wonderful example of elegance and simplicity in traditional tansu craftsmanship! Very good condition. Dimensions: 67" high, 37" wide, 16.5" deep.

Japanese Glass Display Kitchen Tansu - TJ14F14

Jtansu Price: $1,995.00
Sale Price: $1,795.00

Rare one-piece Japanese glass kitchen chest display tansu, Meiji period, c. 1868-1912. Traditionally used to store kitchen utensils and supplies. Fabulous varied design. Warm, golden cypress wood construction with large glass display area. Elegant, eye-catching construction offers abundant storage space in countless drawers. Elegant handforged metalwork adds an appealing accent. A truly striking work of kitchen tansu craftsmanship and a lovely example of traditional charm. Very good condition. Dimensions: 67.25” high, 34” wide, 18.5” deep.