This Japanese kannon biraki tansu chest dates to the very end of the Edo period (1603-1868) - circa 1840 or 1850. This style of Japanese tansu is from the Kanto region and may well be from the city of Edo. Japanese tastes consider this style of tansu as refined and this style is often referred to as iki (chic). 

This chest is made from kiri (paulownia wood). Sumptuary law restricted chonin (townspeople) to owning unlacquered chests such as this one. This was the main Kanto style for clothing chests and could therefore be referred to as an isho-dansu (clothing chest). 

These chests are known as ryobiraki dansu or kannon birake tansu which refers to the double doors on the top half. Kasane dansu is the term used for stacking chests which separate into two parts such as this one. It was common for Japanese homes to have a summer clothing chest & winter clothing chest. The carrying handles allowed these chests to be stored in outhouses when not in use.

This tansu is made in the traditional way and would have been crafted by two specialists, a carpenter, and an ironworker. 

References:
For a similar example, see Tansu by T & K Heineken, Figure 62 which is in the Tokyo furniture museum.

Another similar example can be found in Japanese Cabinetry: The Art & Craft of Tansu by Jackson & Owen, pages 178 & 179.

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

From Japan

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