19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Angled View Of 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
mokko hardware on a 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Karakusa iron hardware on 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Locking Plate Detail 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
safe lock box detail on a 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Compartment Detail From 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Small Drawers Detail From 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Top Down View of 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Surface Detail From 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Top Down Detail From 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Handle Detail From 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Angled View Of 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
mokko hardware on a 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Karakusa iron hardware on 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Locking Plate Detail 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
safe lock box detail on a 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Isho Dansu From Sendai With Karakusa Ironwork, Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Compartment Detail From 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Small Drawers Detail From 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Top Down View of 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Surface Detail From 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Top Down Detail From 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques
Handle Detail From 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Kasane Isho Dansu From Sendai With Nine Drawers And Distinctive Hand Forged Ironwork | Indigo Antiques

Isho Dansu from Sendai, Japan - 19thC (Meiji)

SKU: M1044 19th Century, from Sendai, Japan
£2,450 * Margin Scheme: No UK Tax
/
Dimensions:
W117 x D44 x H87.5 cm
Quality:
Every piece restored & checked in UK
£80 (4-8 working days)
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This exceptional Isho Dansu (衣装箪笥) is a fine example of Sendai tansu from northern Japan, dating to the Early Meiji period (circa 1868–1890). Produced in Miyagi Prefecture during a period of transition and refinement in Japanese furniture making, it reflects the regional preference for strong architectural form softened by expressive ironwork. The warm depth of the timber is enhanced by traces of vermilion kijirō urushi (朱色木地呂漆), a translucent lacquer finish that allows the natural grain to glow beneath a gently mellowed red surface.

Sendai tansu are particularly admired for metal fittings that favour fluid, organic movement over rigid geometry. Here, the drawer pulls take the classic melon-vine form (mokko-gata), while the surrounding iron plates are worked in flowing karakusa (唐草) arabesques, incorporating chrysanthemum motifs commonly found on Sendai chests. The ironwork is entirely hand forged and confidently scaled, giving the chest both visual strength and clear regional identity.

The chest is constructed primarily from sugi 杉 (Japanese cryptomeria cedar), valued for its stability and lightness, with drawer fronts in keyaki 欅 (Japanese zelkova), a hardwood prized for durability and expressive grain. The internal arrangement comprises nine drawers in total, with six full-width drawers across the façade and three smaller drawers concealed behind a hinged door to the right-hand side. Iron carrying handles mounted to the sides reflect its original function as a portable clothing chest within the Japanese home.

  • Origin: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
  • Date: Early Meiji Period, late 19th century
  • Materials: Sugi 杉 (Japanese cryptomeria cedar), keyaki 欅 (Japanese zelkova), hand-forged iron
  • Finish: Vermilion kijirō urushi (translucent lacquer)
  • Configuration: Six full-width drawers with three concealed drawers behind a hinged door
  • Ironwork: Mokko-gata drawer pulls with karakusa arabesques incorporating chrysanthemum motifs
  • Condition: Very good antique condition with age-related wear and patina. Restored in our UK workshops using traditional techniques.
  • Dimensions: Width 117 × Depth 44 × Height 87.5 cm

A strong and authentic example of Meiji period Sendai tansu, combining refined materials, expressive ironwork, and a beautifully aged lacquered surface.

References:

See a similar Sendai tansu example illustrated on page 182 of Japanese Tansu: The Art & Craft of Tansu by David Jackson and Dane Owen. This publication also provides further contextual reading on regional ironwork and Meiji-period Sendai tansu.

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