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 6 external drawers, 2 more hidden benath a small hinged door and two sliding doors. There is the beginning of a small split in the wood at each end and these are visible in the images.
The four locks are all in working condition. The key opens each lock with a turn and a flick of the 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 760 mm
Width 670 mm
Depth 320 mm