1. A charming antique Japanese miniature tansu with hand wrought iron clad double doors. It is handsomely detailed with five pairs of iron hinges and iron cross bracketing on each of the doors that finish in a design of karabana (Chinese flower). The lock plate ‘jōmae’ is shaped as a stylized star and etched with a foliate tomoe (comma) pattern. The doors open to reveal seven drawers of varying sizes, four of which have jōmae with karabana and kiku (chrysanthemum) blossoms. The sides of the chest are mounted with mochiokuri (side carrying handles) and the corners are protected with herikanagu (edge hardware). Meiji period.

Measuring 22 ¾” high by 25 ¼” wide by 15 ¼” deep.

2. An antique Japanese miniature Nihonmatsu chest with pierced hand wrought repoussé jōmae (lock plates), kobiraki-do (iron clad door to a small safe) and bo (removal travel bar). The jōmae of the bottom drawer is decorated with highly stylized kiku (chrysanthemum) and karabana (Chinese flower) blossoms, and the bo with a kikyō (Chinese bellflower) blossom, traditionally inspired by the Mon (heraldic crest) of the family lineage from whom it was made. Original mochiokuri (side carrying handles) and drawer pulls of warabité form). Nihonmatsu is a small town lying southeast of Fukushima prefecture’s lacquer center, Aizu-wakamatsu. Characteristic of the chests made there is the suri-urushi, wiped lacquer finish of the cryptomeria casing and tame-nuri, opaque lacquer finish of the zelkova wood drawer front. Meiji period.

Measuring 24 ¾” high by 23 ½” wide by 12 ¾” deep.

3. An antique Japanese double stacking kiri-dansu with hand wrought iron fittings that lend both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. The prominent jōmae or lock plates are in the form of stylized daikon (radish). The heavy drawer pulls are in the gumpai (military fan) form and each chest has the original sao-toshi (pole handles) on the sides. ‘Kiri’ paulownia wood was very desirable for storage because of its unique ability to flex (expansion-contraction ratio) under atmospheric change and protect the content from the effects of moisture. Circa 1880.

Measuring 19”, 23 ¾” and 43” high (when stacked) by 34” wide by 16 ½” deep.

4. A very handsome antique Japanese kasané dansu (double stacking chest) with heavy hand wrought iron fittings and a fuku-urushi finish, the traditional lacquer seal used by cabinetmakers to preserve the wood. The jomae (lockplates) bear the Sakura Mon (heraldic crest), the configuration of which was adopted by the Oguri samurai clan who would have commissioned these chests. The hikité (drawer pulls) are in the Mokko form with handle plates 'toshi-zogané' in the form of three stylized pine tree boughs, a symbol of strength and endurance. An attractive iron clad 'kobiraki-do' or small safe further enhances this most appealing tansu. Original sao-toshi or pole handles are at the sides of each chest. Circa 1880.

Measuring 25" or 44" (when stacked) high by 41 ½" wide by 17 ¼" deep, including custom pedestals.

5. An antique Japanese keyaki wood sendai (clothing chest) with hand wrought iron fittings and fuku-urushi lacquer finish. The attractive jōmae (lock plates) are detailed with highly stylized kiku (chrysanthemum) and karabana (Chinese flower) blossoms, likely based on the heraldic crest (Mon) of the family lineage from whom it was made. Original mochiokuri (side carrying handles) and drawer pulls of warabité form. Late Meiji.

Measuring 19”, 19 ¼” and 38 ¼” high (when stacked) by 33 ½” wide by 16 ¼” deep.

6. An antique Japanese miniature chadansu (tea ceremony cabinet) for the housing of a small collection of tea ceremony objects and accoutrements. Seven drawers of various sizes to house implements and three display platforms for objects in pride of place. An elegant silver panel sliding door compartment for scrolls or larger objects. Keyaki wood with attractive pronounced grain and original bronze mounts in warabité form. Meiji period (1867-1912).

Measuring 23 ½” high by 22 ¼” wide by 9 ¼” deep.

7. An antique Japanese ryobiraki kasané dansu (chest-on-chest with double door). This traditional tansu is striking for the contrast of the red lacquer finish with attractively designed iron fittings and is further enhanced by the addition of a kobiraki-do, not often seen in the configuration of this style of chest. The doors have an impressive lock plate (jōmae) displaying the Tachibana (orange blossom) Mon, the heraldic crest of the family for whom the chests were made. Original hirute form drawer pulls and sao-toshi (side carrying handles) still intact. Circa 1890.

Measuring 21 ½” and 43” high (when stacked) by 39 ¼” wide by 17 ¾” deep.

8. An antique Japanese tansu of unusual size and shape. Two long drawers with handsome hand-wrought iron 'jomae' (lock plates) of kiku blossom form are situated left through center and the right side consists of a most attractive iron clad 'kobiraki-do' or door to a small safe above a small lower drawer. The finish still retains much of the original black and 'fuku-urushi' (red-brownish) lacquer seal, intended to preserve the wood. Meiji Period (1867-1912).

Measuring 23 ½" high by 51 ¾" wide by 15 ½" deep.

9. An antique Japanese sendai or clothing chest, the style referred to as Isho Yaru-dansu. This handsome chest has a fuku-urushi lacquer finish that seals and protects the wood and beautifully forged hand wrought ironwork. The drawers are fitted with mokkō (melon) style drawer pulls, kiku (chrysanthemum) jōmae (lock plates) surrounded by a tooled ivy design and sumikanagu (drawer corners). The kobiraki-do or small safe is also beautifully clad in iron details. Original sao-toshi side carrying handles for the porter poles. Circa 1880’s.

Measuring 34 ½” high by 46 ½” wide by 17” deep.

10. An antique Japanese Tokyo style hibachi of burlwood with attractive pronounced grain and mitered, mortise and tenoned construction. Five drawers with their original bronze pulls serve for the housing of accoutrements for tending the hot coals. Inset walnut wood carrying handles in the shape of traditional caste iron Kama, allowed for ready transportation wherever family wished to gather. The original copper lining surrounded by a border of walnut wood detail. Hibachi of this nature were a traditional gathering place where friends and family could warm an iron tetsubin (teapot), light a pipe and share the day’s news. Circa 1880’s. Adapted as a table with previous owner's custom inset class top above an attractive interior karesansui, sand & stone garden. 

Measuring 18 ½” high by 30 ¾” wide by 17 ½” deep. 

11. A most auspicious antique Japanese money chest of old kiri wood with mitered mortise and tenon construction and hand wrought iron fittings, including the original sao-toshi (suspending handles). Bold calligraphic characters on the back of the chest read “Go Yo Kin”, literally translating “Official Use Gold”.

The interior of the lid of this rare artifact has a further calligraphic inscription that reads vertically from right to left “Ten Po San Nen”, translating Tenpo – era name for 1830-1844. “Nin Ju Ichi Gatsu” – 9th year of Tenpo, 11th month, a propitious or auspicious day. “Kichi Nichi Chi Ho Yaku” – translating “for use of locality” meaning community.

This is a remarkable Edo period money chest with altruistic intent. Its contents designated to benefit the community, likely in such matters as building roads and bridges, or restoring public buildings.

Measuring 19 ¾” high by 34 ¾” wide by 17 ¾” deep.

12. An antique Korean wood bandaji (‘half closing’ chest) with hand-wrought iron fittings. The upper front panel of this traditional bandaji is hinged along the bottom and is kept closed by an iron latch at the top center. Intended for the use of storing textiles and clothing. Yi Dynasty, mid-19th century.

Measuring 30 ¼” high by 40 ½” wide by 17” deep.