Antique Japanese Meiji Era c1890's Matsumoto Tansu Persimmon & Vermilion Finish 41"H

Antique Japanese Matsumoto Ishōdansu – Persimmon Tannin & Vermilion Finish
Japan, late Meiji Era (c. 1890–1910)
Dimensions: 41″ H × 33.5″ W × 16″ D

A refined Matsumoto Ishōdansu (松本衣装箪笥) from the Shinano region (present-day Nagano Prefecture), noted for its glowing deep red-brown lacquer finish produced through a combination of persimmon tannin (柿渋 kakishibu) and traditional vermilion (cinnabar) pigment (朱漆 shu-urushi) techniques. The result is a durable, transparent coating with exceptional warmth and tonal depth—hallmarks of regional Meiji-era craftsmanship.

Constructed from sugi (cedar) and kiri (paulownia) woods, the chest features a symmetrical configuration of drawers and locking compartments, all secured with original hand-forged iron hardware. The locking bar (bō 棒) is decorated with an elegant kiri (paulownia) kamon (桐紋), a crest historically associated with imperial patronage and authority. The hardware’s incised leaf and cloud motifs balance restraint with refinement, while decorative nail heads echo armor joinery in form and purpose.

The red-amber tone of the lacquer has matured over a century to a soft, luminous patina, enhanced by the subtle grain of the wood beneath. Its modest scale and refined proportions make it ideally suited for contemporary interiors, where it serves equally well as an heirloom chest or statement piece of Japanese vernacular design.

Condition: Excellent structural integrity with light surface wear consistent with age. Original hardware and lockplates intact; smooth drawer operation; minor lacquer abrasions and iron oxidation commensurate with age.

An exquisite example of the Matsumoto furniture tradition, blending utilitarian design with symbolic ornament, and showcasing the enduring beauty of Japan’s natural lacquering and tannin-dye finishing techniques.