This antique Japanese tansu chest is made in the traditional isho kasane-dansu form in 2 parts with 4 drawers and a lock box. It is made from kiri wood (paulownia) and dates to the Meiji period. This tansu has a central theme of melon (mokku). The detailed ironware is all black with incised lockplates depicting a mokku kamon (melon clan symbol). The flat handles are cast in the mokko (melon vine) shape. The corner hardware is in the shape of a fan, perhaps a development from the tea seedpod hardware found on Meiji era Yonezawa chests.

This tansu is from the Kanto region around Tokyo. Kanto style tansu were popular during the Meiji era and imitated the earlier Edo style. 

Isho dansu were made as clothing chest of drawers for storage of expensive clothing and garments. Homes usually had one clothing chest for winter clothing and a separate one for summer clothing. Carrying handles allowed these chests to be stored in outhouses when not in use. Kasane dansu are two part stacking chests. 

Dimensions:

105 x 44 x 116 (wxdxh cms)

From Japan

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