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Japanese Cabinets, Armoires & Cupboards

Japanese cabinets, armoires, and cupboards are all referred to as “tansu”. Tansu were traditionally used to store a variety of things like kimonos, futon, food, firewood, books, and more. These cabinets were rarely permanent, and were usually created to be portable either with wheels for pushing or iron handles for lifting.

Japanese tansu were commonly used during the Edo and Meiji periods. Depending on occupation and purpose, tansu varied in size and configuration. Merchants usually used lightweight chests that had many small drawers and compartments for storage. Merchant class women, however, would have large double-doored tansu to store clothing.


Quick Facts

  • During the Edo period, tansu did not exhibit many variations in style due to strict class regulation in its feudal samurai culture; rank was extremely important and excessive consumerism was discouraged
  • Joints of tansu were typically very simple and needed extra reinforcement. Iron plates were therefore added to joints, later becoming more and more decorative
  • The most prized of tansu, with its heavy use of ironwork and elaborate decoration, is the “sado shima dansu” type. These chests were made both for merchants and clothing

Recommended Items at Auction

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Pair of Japanese elm tansu chests on stands (61 x 75 x 33cm each)
Feb 20, 10:00 AM AEDT
Pair of Japanese elm tansu chests on stands (61 x 75 x 33cm each)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD200- AUD300
AUD15010 Bids
A Japanese Edo Era Tansu Chest
Feb 22, 3:00 PM PST
A Japanese Edo Era Tansu Chest
by California Asian Art Auction Gallery USA
Est: $500- $1,000
$4000 Bids
Antique Japanese Multi-wood Inlaid and Painted Lacquer Cabinet, 19th Century
Mar 08, 11:00 AM EST
Antique Japanese Multi-wood Inlaid and Painted Lacquer Cabinet, 19th Century
by Rafael Osona Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$2000 Bids
19TH C. JAPANESE HARDWOOD SHODONA CABINET, MEIJI PERIOD
Feb 21, 1:30 PM PST
19TH C. JAPANESE HARDWOOD SHODONA CABINET, MEIJI PERIOD
by Auction Plus, Inc.
Est: $12,000- $15,000
$8,0000 Bids
Japanese style, Tansu-inspired cabinet
Feb 26, 11:00 AM CST
Japanese style, Tansu-inspired cabinet
by Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Est: $800- $1,000
$500 Bids
Antique Salesman Sample Japanese Shibayama Cabinet
Feb 20, 12:00 PM EST
Antique Salesman Sample Japanese Shibayama Cabinet
by Greenwich Auction
Est: $300- $500
$1000 Bids
'KAIDEN DANSU'.
Feb 25, 2:00 PM CET
'KAIDEN DANSU'.
by Bernaerts Auctioneers
Est: €500- €600
€3000 Bids
Japanese Cabinet, late Meiji-Showa period, Japan, 1900-1920
Feb 20, 2:30 PM CET
Japanese Cabinet, late Meiji-Showa period, Japan, 1900-1920
by Templum Fine Art Auctions
Est: €2,500- €3,250
€1,9000 Bids
VERY FINE JAPANESE SHIBAYAMA APPLIED HARDWOOD SHADONA CABINET
Feb 23, 10:00 AM CST
VERY FINE JAPANESE SHIBAYAMA APPLIED HARDWOOD SHADONA CABINET
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $600- $1,200
$4000 Bids
LACKSCHRÄNKCHEN MIT UNTERTEIL.
Feb 27, 10:00 AM CET
LACKSCHRÄNKCHEN MIT UNTERTEIL.
by Auktionshaus Wendl
Est: €0- €0
€3900 Bids
MINIATURE JAPANESE PARCEL GILT LACQUERED KODANSU CABINET, 16.5"H
Feb 22, 10:00 AM CST
MINIATURE JAPANESE PARCEL GILT LACQUERED KODANSU CABINET, 16.5"H
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $300- $600
$2000 Bids
Miniature Tansu Chest
Mar 06, 10:00 AM EST
Miniature Tansu Chest
by New England Auctions
Est: $150- $250
$500 Bids
A JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD SHIBAYAMA DECORATED CABINET. C. 1890.
Feb 25, 2:00 PM CET
A JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD SHIBAYAMA DECORATED CABINET. C. 1890.
by Bernaerts Auctioneers
Est: €1,500- €2,000
€1,1000 Bids
bp parity badge
NAMBAN LACQUERED CHEST. JAPAN. EARLY 17TH CENTURY.
Feb 20, 7:00 PM CET
NAMBAN LACQUERED CHEST. JAPAN. EARLY 17TH CENTURY.
by La Suite Subastas
Est: €2,000- €5,000
€2,0000 Bids
ANTIQUE JAPANESE SENDAI TANSU CHEST 46"
Feb 24, 3:00 PM EST
ANTIQUE JAPANESE SENDAI TANSU CHEST 46"
by DejaVu Estate Sales & Auctions
Est: $1,000- $2,000
$2000 Bids
A Japanese 'kaidan tansu' cabinet of drawers, first half 20th C.
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A Japanese 'kaidan tansu' cabinet of drawers, first half 20th C.
by Coronari Auctions
Est: €400- €800
€4000 Bids
A Japanese black lacquer cabinet,
Feb 25, 9:30 AM GMT
A Japanese black lacquer cabinet,
by Sworders
Est: £200- £300
£1600 Bids
JAPON PÉRIODE MEIJI (1868-1912) Petit cabinet en laque hiramaki-e d'or et d'argent.
Mar 06, 10:00 AM CET
JAPON PÉRIODE MEIJI (1868-1912) Petit cabinet en laque hiramaki-e d'or et d'argent.
by Aguttes
Est: €400- €500
€4000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Japanese Cabinets, Armoires & Cupboards


Bernaerts Auctioneers

Bernaerts Auctioneers

Lawsons

Lawsons

Austin Auction Gallery

Austin Auction Gallery

Aguttes

Aguttes