Skip to main content

Japanese Tansu Chest

to
54
450
38
856
1
6
2
1
1
1
1
13
417
424
1
324
31
13
5
3
10
9
2
2
4
5
1
742
328
327
261
73
820
815
807
16
15
854
854
854
8
4
1
1
1
Sort By
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
-1900s). This is a "Shonai chest" chest made in the Tohoku region of Japan. It is characterized by its
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese small drawer storage. The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). It is
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s / Nightstand Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old drawer storage made in Japan. It was made between the Meiji and Taisho periods
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique BK Small Drawer Meiji / Tansu Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old black-lacquered drawer storage unit made in Japan. Judging from the handle
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique BK Small Drawer primitive / Tansu Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old black-lacquered drawer storage unit made in Japan. The original handles still
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique BK Small Drawer EDO / Tansu Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old black-lacquered drawer storage unit made in Japan. Judging from the delicate
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique NT Tansu 1920s-1940s / Natural color / cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese-made cabinet. It was made in the early Showa period (1920s-1940s). It
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Drawer / Storage Tansu / 1912s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an antique Japanese-made drawer. It is made from cedar, and the date "Meiji 45 (1912s)" is
Category

Vintage 1910s Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Small Drawer 1860s-1920s / Tansu Nightstand Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a small drawer storage made in Japan. It was made between the Meiji and Taisho periods
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique 6-Drawer Storage 1860s-1900s / Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old six drawer storage made in Japan. It was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Primitive Charred Edo Period Tansu/Chest Of Drawers Wabi Sabi
Located in London, GB
A 5 drawer charred cedar & elm Japanese tansu from the early 19th C. Both a beautiful & very
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique BK Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese small drawer storage. The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). It is
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar, Pine

Japanese Meiji Period Tansu Chest
Located in Pomona, CA
A Japanese Meiji period keyaki wood Sendai tansu clothing chest from the late 19th century, with
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Furniture

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Black Drawer Storage 1860s-1900s / Tansu Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese chest of drawers, handcrafted during the Meiji period (1860s–1900s). It is
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Drawer Storage Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old black chest of drawers made in Japan during the Meiji period (1860s–1900s), a time
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique BK Small Drawer 1860s-1900s / Tansu Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese black drawer storage. The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique BK Middle Drawer 1860s-1900s / Tansu Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese black drawer storage. The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Drawer / Tansu Storage / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese drawer. The original red color has balanced with soot from its long use in
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Large Drawer 1860s-1920s / Tansu Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a Japanese made drawer storage. It was made between the Meiji and Taisho periods (1860s
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Wabisabi Drawer 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Storage Tansu Mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a very old Japanese drawer. It was built from the late Edo period to the Meiji period (1820
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique BK Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese drawer storage. The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). The main
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Black Drawer / Storage Tansu / 1905s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese-made drawer. It is made of cedar wood, and on the bottom of the drawer
Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique BK Small Drawer 1860s-1900s / Tansu Storage Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese small drawer. This furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). It is made
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Small Drawer 1860s-1900s / Tansu Nightstand Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old small drawer storage made in Japan. The furniture was made in the Meiji period
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Small Drawer 1860s-1920s / Nightstand Tansu Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a small drawer storage made in Japan. The furniture was made between the Meiji and Taisho
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Huge Drawer Storage 1860s-1900s / Tansu Cabinet Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a huge old Japanese-made drawer storage. The furniture was made during the Meiji period
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Rustic Japanese Pine Tansu Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well crafted early 20th Century Traditional Japanese clothing chest originally acquired in San
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Art Deco Furniture

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Black Drawer Storage 1860s-1900s / Tansu Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old drawer storage made in Japan. It was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Tansu / Drawer Cabinet / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese drawer. It has been used in stores since the Edo period in the Tohoku
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Sendai Tansu, Meiji Period
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of a Meiji Period Sendai Tansu in Keyaki wood. This one-part tansu
Category

Antique 1880s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wrought Iron

Kaidan Tansu Japanese Stair Chest, Japan, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
This rare Kaidan Tansu is an original 19th-century Japanese stair chest from the Meiji period
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese low display stand w/ drawer, Okidoko tansu, wabi sabi mingei
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Antique "Okidoko"- wooden low display stand with drawer from Tohoku area, Japan. Manufactured in
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Fantastic Pair Baker Modern Asian Tansu Bachelors Chest Chinoiserie Mid-Century
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Amazingly beautiful pair of Japanese Tansu bachelors chests by Baker. Dark stained oak with
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Diminutive Japanese Tansu Style Six Drawer Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Heavy and solid wooden Tansu or apothecary style merchant box. The chest with riveted brackets
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Japanese Meiji Period Late 19th Century Isho-Dansu Chest with Iron Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period two-part tansu chest from the late 19th century with dark red
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Iron

Kannon Biraki Isho Tansu Chests, Japan, 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
Two section Kannon Biraki Isho Tansu made from traditional Japanese kiri wood with hand forged and
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Other Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century Japanese Meiji Era Tansu Merchant Chest
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Constructed from Cypress and Elm, this merchant’s chest features blackened iron hardware with two
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Iron

Campaign Style Japanese Tansu Four Drawer Chest for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Japanese Tansu four drawer chest in a dark stain with black iron C-form swing handles with central
Category

20th Century Japanese Campaign Furniture

Materials

Iron

An antique Japanese Kyodai tansu (vanity chest)
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Japanese 'Kyodai' tansu (vanity chest) with an elegant tall arched mirror and eight
Category

20th Century Night Stands

Materials

Wood

20th Century Japanese Tokyo Tansu Chest in Two Parts
Located in Torino, IT
This 20th-century Japanese Tokyo Tansu chest for clothing produced at the beginning of the Taisho
Category

20th Century Japanese Taisho Furniture

Materials

Iron

Japanese Sea Captain s Chest, Funa Tansu, Keyaki and Iron, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A simple and elegant Japanese sea chest, funa tansu, crafted of keyaki wood with iron fittings
Category

Antique 1880s Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Iron

Japanese Late Edo Period Kiri and Cypress Tansu Merchant s Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine Japanese late Edo period kiri wood (chestnut) and cypress wood tansu (merchant's chest) with
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique Late 1800s Japanese Cedar Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Late 1800s Japanese Cedar Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser Country: Japan Materials
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Baroque Dressers

Materials

Iron

Japanese Antique Wabi Sabi Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Chests Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This piece is a Japanese sliding door cabinet crafted during the Meiji period to early Taisho
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Japanese Antique Massive Tansu Chest 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Cupboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a large, old black tansu chest made in Japan, dating to the Meiji period (1860s–1900s
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Cedar

Miniature Japanese Taishō Period Zebra Wood Tansu Chest with Sliding Doors
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Taisho period zebra wood miniature tansu chest from the early 20th century, with sliding
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Cabinets

Materials

Zebra Wood

Antique Late 1800’s Japanese Cedar Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Late 1800’s Japanese Cedar Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser Country: Japan Materials: Wood
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Dressers

Materials

Iron

Antique Late 1800’s Japanese Rolling Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Late 1800’s Japanese Rolling Tansu Chest of Drawers Dresser Country: Japan Materials
Category

Vintage 1980s Japanese Dressers

Materials

Iron

Antique Small Japanese Kiri Wood Tansu Chest on Stand, circa 1920s
Located in Norton, MA
Small Vintage Japanese Kiri Wood Tansu Chest on Stand, circa 1920s, having four drawers with brass
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Tansu Chest on Fitted Wood Stand
Located in Norton, MA
Diminutive Meiji Period Storage Cabinet, early 20th c., having a red painted surface and black painted hardware and corner mounts, with side handles, six drawers and one cabinet door...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Furniture

Materials

Metal

Japanese Antique Wheeled Storage Chest / Sideboard Tansu / 1868-1912s Wabi-sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This storage furniture, known as a "kurumanagamochi" (cartridge), has been used in Japan since
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Iron

19th Century Japanese Meiji Era Tansu Clothing Chest On Iron Stand
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Constructed from Sugi (Japanese cedar), this clothing kimono chest is decorated with blackened iron
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Side Tables

Materials

Iron

19th Century Japanese Meiji Era Tansu Clothing Chest On Iron Stand
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Constructed from Sugi wood (Japanese cedar), this clothing chest is minimalist in design, resting
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Side Tables

Materials

Iron

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard wabi sabi primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Single tier Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality, reddish Sugi Cedar, the product of circa
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar

1870s-1900s Japanese antique large Mizuya tansu chest. wabi sabi primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from Kanto or Tohoku area, Japan. This large Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard wabi sabi primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from Tohoku area, Japan. This single tier Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard Wabi sabi primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from Tohoku area, Japan. This single tier Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cedar

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Japanese Tansu Chest", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Japanese Tansu Chest For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the Japanese tansu chest you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and cedar, every Japanese tansu chest was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without a Japanese tansu chest — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A Japanese tansu chest, designed in the mid-century modern, folk art or Art Deco style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Many designers have produced at least one well-made Japanese tansu chest over the years, but those crafted by Henredon, Baker Furniture Company and Alessandro for Baker Furniture are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Japanese Tansu Chest?

The average selling price for a Japanese tansu chest at 1stDibs is $2,500, while they’re typically $255 on the low end and $28,750 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About Japanese Tansu Chest
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    Tansu refers to Japanese portable storage chests. When tansu became a well-known feature of life in Japan — the chests’ emergence is said to be rooted in the Genroku era of the Edo period (1688–1704) — the country’s traditionally minimalist households had little to no proper seats, tables, or other pieces of furniture. Tansu were intended to be multipurpose cabinets. These case pieces were used to store things of everyday utility, such as clothing and various personal items. Tansu are regarded as collectible furniture with a timeless appeal. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary Tansu from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A tansu chest is a Japanese cabinet designed for easy transportation and can store a variety of items, including clothes and personal items. Tansu chests often feature multiple compartments to keep items organized. Shop a selection of authentic tansu chests on 1stDibs.

Read More

37 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.