Japanese Sugi Wood Chobadansu Merchant Chest Early Showa Period Tansu 36"H

Japanese Sugi Wood Chobadansu Merchant Chest Early Showa Period Tansu

Japan, early to mid-Showa period, c. 1930s–1950s

36"H × 32"W × 16.5"D (91 × 81 × 42 cm); weight ~65lbs

A compact and exceptionally well-appointed chobadansu (帳場箪笥) in sugi (Japanese cedar), distinguished by an unusually rich hardware suite that elevates this piece well above standard commercial production. The top drawer runs full-width behind a bold circular iron lock plate with pivoting hasp bar, flanked by a pair of hirute (leech) bail pulls — a clean, forceful composition against the warm sugi ground. Below, two large sliding hikido doors are fitted with woven lattice koshi panels, a more refined alternative to milled slat construction, providing ventilation while concealing the storage bay within. The lower register presents sliding horizontal-slat doors to the left alongside a hinged single door to the right, the latter dressed in a full cruciform iron strap composition with cusped spandrel brackets and a separate lock plate — among the most elaborate door hardware typical of quality Showa-era tansu production. Behind the hinged door, two small interior drawers carry ring pulls appropriate to their scale. A pair of wide full-width drawers with hirute pulls and circular lock plates completes the lower front. Corner brackets throughout feature a cusped profile, and the sugi side panels display exceptional cathedral grain figure.

Condition: Overall good for age. Surface shows light patina and handling wear consistent with working use. Some water spotting visible in the interior of the lower storage bay; exterior surfaces unaffected. Hardware retains original black finish with expected oxidation. Structurally sound; all drawers and doors function correctly. Lock present; key not included.

A compact chobadansu of above-average hardware quality, with the koshi lattice sliding doors and cruciform strap ironwork setting it apart from typical examples of the form.