Name: Japanese Shomon Dansu - Kiri Wood - Edo Period
Brand: Indigo Antiques
SKU: M377
Price: 2950.0 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

Rare Antique Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

Inscription On Underneath Of Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

Drawer Interior Detail From Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

Corner Detail From Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

Open Doors View Of Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

ANgled View Of Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

Lacquered Drawer From Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

Drawer Detail From Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

Open Drawer Detail From Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

Drawer Interior Of Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

Latch Detail From Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

Handle Detail From Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

Surface Detail From Japanese Kannon Biraki - Kiri (Pawlonia Wood) - Late Edo Period | Indigo Antiques

SKU: M377

Quality:: Every piece restored & checked in UK

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This rare antique Japanese cabinet with drawers is very unusual and known as a Shomon Dansu. Shomon Dansu is a term given to Japanese deed or document chest Dansu with drawers behind doors. This piece dates to the Edo period (1603 - 1867AD) before Japan opened up to the world.

The whole piece is made in kiri wood (pawlonia) and unusually, detailed information about its crafting are shown on the bottom of the cabinet. According to the writing on the bottom of the cabinet it was made for a very wealthy merchant named Nakai Shojiuemon Tachibana Takenari on Tomi-machi street who was 68 years old and originally from Hino, Shiga Prefecture.

- Woodwork by Kiguya Yobee for a price of 530 Momme Silver

- Ironwork by Kariganeya Yobee from Nishinotoin area in Kyoto for a price of 200 Momme Silver

- Lacquer work by Kawachiya Kyubee from Gokomachi area in Kyoto for a price of 1 Ryo 1 Bu Gold

Momme, Ryo & Bu are all monetary units. The total of 12.96 Ryo of gold roughly correlates to 1,037,000 - 1,296,000 yen or £6,913 - £8,640.

The cabinet woodwork was carried out October 1831, Year of the Rabbit. The metal and lacquer work were completed New Year of 1832, Year of the Dragon and the craftsmen were paid on 23rd of the same month in the woodworkers workshop.

The construction of the chest is technically very sophisticated, reinforced by iron brackets which bridge the internal and external surfaces. Unusually for Japanese tansu, the drawers and back of this dansu are luxuriously lacquered with urushi lacquer.

Another unusual feature are the rollers on the base, made from persimmon wood (from the ebony family). Hard wearing, they allow the tansu to be pulled towards the user.

76.5 x 45.4 x 91.5 (WxDxH cms)

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Restored in Our UK Workshop

Our expert restorers treat every piece with the respect it deserves.

Using traditional techniques and the highest quality mineral pigments, each piece leaves our workshop only after receiving the highest level of craftsmanship, precision and care.