Authentic Japanese Tansu, Storage Chest with Five Drawers – 1900s

This Japanese tansu from the Meiji period is an especially atmospheric storage piece with a restrained presence.

Dimensions: height 80.5 cm, width 78.5 cm, depth 40 cm.

The reddish-brown wood has aged beautifully and shows a warm patina, with striking visible grain that gives each drawer its own rhythm and character. Combined with the understated metal handles, it creates a piece with exactly the right balance of simplicity, functionality, and presence.

The layout is clear and practical, with two smaller drawers at the top and three wide, spacious drawers below, making this piece particularly useful for storage. It offers ample space for paperwork, textiles, small objects, or other everyday items, without compromising on aesthetics.

The interior is also neat and clean, which further adds to its functional appeal.

The front shows attractive signs of use, subtle wear, and tonal variation in the reddish-brown surface, all consistent with its age and original purpose. The piece is sturdy, functional, and in beautiful, good condition, without a key.

This tansu also works exceptionally well as a display piece. The top is perfect for ikebana, ceramics, vases, sculptural objects, or works of art, while its compact yet generous proportions make it suitable for a living room, entrance hall, bedroom, shop, or gallery setting. A timeless Japanese piece of furniture with calm, character, and a natural sense of understated luxury.