Japanese Keyaki Cha Dansu Chest - Meiji Era

This Japanese cha dansu tea chest dates from the end of the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Tea chests were used for storing ceramics and other utensils used during the Japanese tea ceremonies. Tea tansu chests were made from fine wood and took pride of place in a Japanese home. The main panels are burr keyaki (burr red elm) and the frame is hinoki (cypress). The top is sugi wood (cryptomeria). 

This tansu chest can be dated to the end of the Meiji / beginning of the Taisho eras as by this stage, tansu were being made with sliding glass doors rather than wood. This allowed families to show off their valuable ceramics. The iron handles are warabite (bracken) style. 

As with most Japanese furniture, the carpentry is excellent and although it is lightweight, it is extremely well-made. It has very functional sliding doors & drawers. All the fittings are original to the piece. 

References:

A similar example can be found in Japanese Cabinetry: The Art & Craft of Tansu by David Jackson & Dane Owen (pages 158 and 219). 

An example with a similar sliding door style can be found in Traditional Japanese Furniture: A Definitive Guide by Kazuko Koizumi (fig. 9). 

From Japan

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