Japanese Kakesuzuri Funa Dansu From Sado Island - Edo Period

This is a rare Japanese Edo period (1603 ­1868) funa dansu style chest. Specifically, it is the kakesuzuri type made in the juji-gata (cross face style) which originated in 1814. This style is sometimes called a 'ships chest' or 'sea chest' as they were used by sea captains for storing their private property. Funa dansu were strongboxes built to withstand a rigorous existence and would have carried business papers, money, seals and other personal effects. Sea chests are highly collectible pieces of Japanese history.

The main body of this kakesuzuri is made from keyaki (red elm) and is finished with fuki-urushi lacquer. The interior is constructed from kiri (paulownia) and This piece dates to the second quarter of the 19th century (circa 1830s) as red elm became more prominent slightly later. The chest is bound in iron with a brass kamon (clan emblem) of the Tachibana 橘氏 clan - a Mandarin Orange blossom / Tachibana citrus. 

The Tachibana clan was one of the four most powerful noble families in Japan until the family was scattered during the Fujiwara no Sumitomo uprising of 939 - 941 AD and much of their power diminished. 

The majority of sea chests were made in the town of Ogi on Sado Island, Niigata prefecture, a major port on the Sea of Japan trading route. 

References:

A similar example with an identical mon can be found in Traditional Japanese Chests by Kazuko Koizumi (Fig.42). 

Another similar example can be found in Traditional Japanese Furniture - A Definitive Guide by Kazuko Koizumi (Fig 32).

A near identical example can be found in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. 

From Japan

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