Antique Japanese Taisho Era c1920's Clothing Chest Kiri Ishodansu Tansu 60.5"H
Antique Japanese Taisho Era c1920's Clothing Chest Kiri Ishodansu Tansu 60.5"H
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Japanese Kiri Wood Three Section Isho Dansu Kimono Chest Taisho Era
Japan, Taisho period, c. 1912–1926
60.5"H × 37"W × 16.5"D (154 × 94 × 42 cm); approx. 65 lbs (29.5 kg)
Top section: 17.75"H — Middle section: 22.5"H — Bottom section: 20.5"H
A stately three-section isho dansu (衣装箪笥) in kiri (paulownia wood), purpose-built for the storage of kimono and formal textiles. Kiri's exceptional lightness, low thermal conductivity, and natural resistance to insects and moisture made it the wood of choice for high-quality Japanese clothing storage, and this chest exemplifies the form at its best. The upper section presents two large sliding hikido panels above a row of three small drawers, all fitted with pierced and chased white-metal roundel pulls bearing auspicious figural motifs — a crane-and-tortoise (tsurukame, 鶴亀) on one door, pine-and-cloud imagery on another — worked with the precision characteristic of Taisho-era hardware. The broad middle section opens via hinged double doors to reveal a fitted interior with pull-out shelf trays, ideal for folded garments. The lower section holds two full-width lockable drawers with warabite (bracken) bail pulls in iron. Side panels on each section carry lacquered iron sash hardware (obikanagu) decorated in gilt with wind-swept matsu (pine) on a black ground, their cusped silhouettes adding visual distinction; the center plate bears the mark 意匠登録 (ishō tōroku, "registered design"), confirming the hardware as a certified maker's pattern. Restrained corner and strap iron throughout.
Condition: Consistent with age and use. Kiri surfaces show light patina and minor handling marks. Hardware retains original finish with expected oxidation; gilt decoration on side hardware largely intact. Structurally sound throughout; all sections, drawers, and doors function correctly. Keys present.
A fine and complete Taisho-period isho dansu with above-average hardware detail and the rare distinction of documented registered-design ironwork.
