Antique Japanese Edo Era (C1780) 4 Drawer Gyosho Bako Peddlers Tansu Chest

This is a 240 year old antique Japanese gyoshobako-dansu (peddler's chest) from the mid Edo Era (c.1780). It was used in its day to transport the tools of an itinerant craftsman from town to town. This gyoshobako tansu has a configuration of 4 interior and one exterior drawers of various sizes. The top drawer is divided in four sections (see picture 7).  It is made of solid kiri (paulownia) wood. All the metal hardware is hand forged iron.

This chest still has its original persimmon tannin stain under hand rubbed lacquer finish with a deep two century old patina. This chest shows a high degree of Japanese craftsmanship in the joinery, being made with hardened hinoki pegged wood construction (see last picture). The various sized drawers were custom made to hold various tools of ones trade. The style of this gyoshobako chest as well as the method of construction and all the forged iron metal work on this chest dates it to the mid Edo era (c.1780). All drawer handles, hinges, and latches and corner work are made of forged iron with a protective coat of burnt lacquer. All drawers open and close smoothly and the five forged iron hinged front door swings open and closed easily. It has an operable locking front door (see pictures 8 & 9) with operable key. It is known as a single action lock meaning that it needs the key only to unlock not to lock. It locks by pushing the button like knob on the lock to the right (see picture 10). There is an additional ring to the right of the locking button used to hold the door shut without locking.

It has been well used yet well loved, has a deep warm patina that only centuries of devoted use could provide. This chest remains in fine original antique condition. This peddler's chest measures 12'' wide by 23'' deep" by 27 1/4" high (30 x 58 x 69 cm). A very warm accent for your home or office as well as great functional space inside 4 deep drawers of various sizes. In Japan, gyoshobako are considered one of most collectable tansu chests. Please enjoy the enlarged pictures to get a full appreciation of the fine kiri wood and its two and half century old original patina.