LS#128 Antique Japanese Meiji Era Chobadansu Document Chest 68”H

Antique Japanese Mizuya Tansu Kitchen Cabinet Early Meiji Period Storage Chest

Dimensions: 68”H x 43”W x 20”D

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This Japanese mizuya tansu is a vertically oriented kitchen storage cabinet constructed with a balanced, architectural form typical of the early Meiji period. It has a unique configuration of sliding doors, multiple drawers, and shelving designed for functional household use. The upper section features mesh-front sliding doors originally intended for airflow and pest protection, while the lower section provides enclosed storage behind paneled sliding doors.

The visual interest of the piece comes from the contrast between darker framing timbers and the richly figured drawer fronts, where keyaki wood grain is allowed to remain prominent. Hand-forged iron pulls and recessed door hardware show practical, understated metalwork rather than decorative excess. The wire mesh panels reflect the transitional period when traditional cabinetry began incorporating modest industrial materials for improved utility.

Mizuya tansu were working kitchen furnishings, used to store ceramics, lacquerware, and dry goods, and were not prestige furniture when made. Pieces from the early Meiji period reflect Japan’s shift from Edo-era domestic customs toward modernization, while still relying on traditional joinery and proportion. The asymmetrical interior layout and varied drawer sizing emphasize use over symmetry, a hallmark of authentic household cabinetry.

Surviving examples in this condition are valued for their honest wear, original configuration, and adaptability for modern interiors. The cabinet functions equally well as storage, display, or as a focal piece in a contemporary space that appreciates Japanese material culture.

Condition:
General age-related wear throughout, including surface scratches, finish loss, and patina consistent with prolonged domestic use. Visible grain movement, minor separations, and wear to drawer faces and sliding door panels; mesh panels intact. No structural instability observed.

This mizuya tansu offers strong presence, practical storage, and authentic Meiji-period character, making it well suited for collectors of Japanese furniture or for use as a functional statement piece in a modern interior.