Antique Japanese Meiji Era c1870's Mizuya Kitchen Tansu Two-Section Cabinet

Antique Japanese Mizuya Tansu 水屋箪笥 Two-Section Kitchen Cabinet, Meiji Era

Japan, Meiji Period, circa 1870s

Dimensions: W: 18 in. D: 41.75 in. H: 67.5 in. (upper = 34" lower = 33.5)

Weight: ~85 lbs.   Please contact us directly about shipping by White Glove freight wervice.

A commanding two-section mizuya tansu (水屋箪笥) of the merchant class, this Meiji-era cabinet integrates an exceptional range of storage forms within a unified architectural composition. The upper section opens with a pair of solid sliding panels in figured sugi, fitted with cast-iron mokku (木瓜) hikite above a full-width glass-panel sliding door display cabinet with interior shelf. A register of three short drawers with mokku pulls and decorative iron corner plates completes the upper case. The lower section presents two wide louvered kōshi sliding doors (格子戸) concealing a deep open storage bay, alongside a kinko-dana (金庫棚) — a small hinged-door lockable compartment fitted with a large circular iron lock disc and copper corner brackets, functioning as the merchant's secure valuables cabinet. The base register carries three substantial drawers, all fitted with mokku (木瓜) iron pulls throughout. Case construction is edge-joined sugi with hinoki framing in sashimono joinery; the elaborate cross-form iron lock fitting on the kinko-dana door is a bold statement of the period blacksmith's craft. Hardware is consistent in character across both sections, confirming the cabinet has remained paired since manufacture.

Condition: Both sections are structurally sound with all drawers and doors operating freely; hardware intact and functional. Surface wear, minor scratches, and patina consistent with 140+ years of honest use; glass panels show age-appropriate light cloudiness. No major repairs, breaks, or missing elements.

This piece has been respectfully restored (not refinished) in-house in the manner that Shogun's Gallery has been caring for Japanese treasures for over 45 years.

A rare and cohesive merchant tansu of exceptional scope, combining glazed display, ventilated storage, and a lockable kinko-dana in a matched pair that seldom survives intact.