Antique Japanese c1910 Meiji Era Hibachi Wooden Brazier Tabakobon Keyaki 16"

This is an antique Japanese hibachi done in a style to be used as a smoking box (tabakobon). Made in the Meiji era (late 1800's). It is made of burl zelkova wood to show off the beautiful grain. The drawer interiors are made of kiri (paulownia). Inset side handles aided in moving this chest even when hot coals burned inside.  Two  drawers were used to house everything from iron chopsticks for tending the coals to extra charcoal, as well as paraphernalia for smoking.

This hibachi tansu chest is made with pegged-tenon open-mortise corner box joint construction.  This chest has all its 120+ year old deep rich patina. All drawers move easily without binding. The handles are made of copper.

This chest has a century and a half old original warm aged patina and, having been used lovingly for over a century, it remains in very good original antique condition and should serve one well for another century of use. It measures 16" long by 8.5" high by 9" deep. A great piece of Japanese history and an interesting and very solid and functional piece of furniture.