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Japanese Antique Black Drawer Chest 1716s-1736s / Tansu Sideboard Wabi Sabi
$2,500
£1,906.97
€2,172.62
CA$3,513.77
A$3,833.43
CHF 2,029.78
MX$45,935.45
NOK 25,850.37
SEK 23,638.25
DKK 16,222.59
About the Item
This is a very old Japanese black wooden chest of drawers. The entire piece carries a profound sense of time, as if layers of history have accumulated to form a single, compelling landscape. One of its most remarkable features is the handwritten inscription “享保(Kyōhō)” found on the underside. The Kyōhō era (1716–1736) belongs to the mid-Edo period, and it is exceedingly rare to find furniture with such a clearly identifiable date. While Meiji-period pieces still appear on the market from time to time, items that trace back to the Kyōhō era almost never surface. This chest is, quite literally, a surviving fragment of Japanese daily culture from nearly three centuries ago.
The primary material is paulownia (kiri), a wood now regarded as a luxury material. Lightweight, moisture-resistant, and naturally repellent to insects, kiri was one of the most trusted materials for furniture in the Edo period. The fittings are made of iron, and the reddish rust that has emerged over time harmonizes beautifully with the deeply smoked black surface of the wood. There is no artificial decoration anywhere—only the quiet beauty that results from long and faithful use.
This deep black coloration is not applied paint; it is the result of centuries spent near an irori, a traditional Japanese hearth. Smoke and soot permeated the wood over many decades, gradually building up layer upon layer to create a unique tone and texture. It is a color that can only be produced by time itself—impossible to reproduce by human hands. Countless subtle scratches, worn edges, iron patina, and soot deposits blend together into a serene, cohesive landscape.
All drawers have been adjusted to open and close smoothly, allowing for practical, everyday use. Inside, the soft grain of kiri wood remains visible, offering a beautiful contrast to the darkened exterior. The entire piece has been carefully cleaned and disinfected for安心してご使用いただけますので、届いたそのままお使いいただけます。
There are a few small traces of past insect activity on the underside, but all activity has long since ceased, and no new wood dust appears. In fact, these minor marks serve as quiet testimony to the chest’s long life and the generations who used it.
This piece embodies the spirit of wabi-sabi—the appreciation of imperfection, wear, soot, rust, and the gentle degradation that time imparts. These are not flaws; they are the very essence of its beauty.
A storage chest from the Kyōhō era, still exuding a commanding presence nearly 300 years later—this is a truly one-of-a-kind antique that represents the depth of Japanese aesthetics.
Weight: 16 kg
__________________________
Our Philosophy
Objects always tell the truth.
All I can do is just to face with them sincerely and give
them deep affection as much as I can.
There is no boundary of nationalities and of eras in beauty.
But I think now is the time we choose 'Japanese style' and it
will be the best way to remind us of what we are losing
today and to question us about an essence of beauty again.
I hope that you can touch the memories which the objects here have,
feel and think of something invisible but exists undoubtedly.
- Dimensions:Height: 22.05 in (56 cm)Width: 28.35 in (72 cm)Depth: 15.56 in (39.5 cm)
- Style:Edo (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1716s-1736s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chōsei District Nagara, JP
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU10403247934022
About the Seller
4.8
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Established in 2017
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Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Chōsei District Nagara, Japan
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