Antique Japanese c1880’s Kiri Wood Two Drawer Honbako Book Tansu Chest 14"

This is a 150 year old antique Japanese honbako from the Meiji Era (c. 1880s). This honbako (portable book tansu) has two drawers. The metal hardware is hand forged iron.

Honbako were used as portable book chests to hold multiple volumes of texts, voumes of novels and other large texts to keep them from getting separated when traveling. Keyaki (zelkova) wood was the wood of choice for such a chest being strong as well as having a beautiful grain pattern. This chest still has its original hand rubbed lacquer finish over persimmon tannin stain. as was common the chest has two handels on the sides for easy transportation. All drawers open and close smoothly. 

All drawers open smoothly and the lidded top opens/closes with ease. Along with a century old warm patina this honbako tansu remains in fine original antique condition.zuri

This honbako chest measures 12" wide by 13'' tall by 14" deep. A very warm accent for your home or office. Great to hold pens, as well as, remote controls for the TV and stereo. Please enjoy the enlarged pictures to get a full appreciation of the fine wood and its century old original patina.