Tansu is the traditional mobile storage cabinety indigenous to Japan. Tansu was first recorded in them Genroku era of the Edo period (1688–1704).
During the time period in which tansu gradually became a feature of Japanese culture and daily life, 1657–1923, both hard and softwoods were used by tansuyas (tansu craftsmen), often in practical combination for a single chest. Woods commonly used in tansu included elm, chestnut, pine, cedar, paulownia and cypress.
This chest is in lovely original condition and well proportioned with 5 external drawers and 2 more hidden benath a small hinged door.
The five locks are all in working condition. Two different keys open each lock with a turn and a flick of each latch button.
In the Tansu book, these Ko-Dantsu are described as small personal chests. This light-weight box is possibly cedar or chestnut. Probably from the mid to late Meiji Period, 1868 to 1912
Height 580 mm
Width 570 mm
Depth 300 mm