Japanese Mizuya Dansu Kitchen Cabinet - Late Edo Period (19th century)

This antique Japanese  mizuya dansu kitchen chest dates from the late Edo period (1603 - 1868). This dramatic cabinet would have been used to store food and cooking utensils in a Japanese kitchen. The frame is is contructed from hinoki (cypress) & sugi (cryptomeria) woods. The drawers and panels are made from luxurious keyaki (red elm) wood with exquisite wood grain. The handles are forged iron mokku melon handles. 

Japanese mizuya dansu first began use in the Edo period when Japan experienced a cooking revolution leading to eating and food habits to dramatically change. This form of Japanese tansu chest had very little regional variation but this piece likely came from the Kyoto region or surrounding area.

This elegant piece has ample storage with 8 drawers and 3 spacious compartments hidden behind sliding doors. Mizuya dansu are sometimes called daidokoro todana, meaning kitchen shelves. 

References:

A near identical example can be found in Japanese Antique Furniture: A Guide to Evaluating & Restoring by Rosy Clarke, Fig 10.

Similar examples and further reading can also be found in Japanese Cabinetry: The Art & Craft of Tansu by David Jackson & Dane Owen (p 27 & 144 - 147). 

From Japan

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