Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.
Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.
Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.
Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.
Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Japanese Edo/Meiji Gilded Bronze Folded Paper Handled Basket with Applications
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual antique Japanese gilded bronze basket of folded paper form body with applied panels and decoration dating from the 19th century and either late Edo or early Meiji period (...
Bronze
Fine Japanese Split Bamboo Flower Gathering Basket for Ikebana
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well crafted and elegant Japanese Flower Gathering Basket crafted from split and wound Bamboo in a fine deep stain. With a joined double ring handle and upturned oval basket. Signe...
Bamboo
Japanese ikebana bamboo basket - Showa, 20th
Located in PARIS, FR
Ikebana basket (hanakago) made of dark brown varnished bamboo wickerwork rounded shape with a twisted handle. Ikebana or Ka-do (the way of flowers) is a traditional Japanese art of...
Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
Chinese Bronze Vessel with Tripod Feet, c. 1750
Located in Chicago, IL
This 18th century bronze vessel with tripod feet was crafted by hand in a traditional Chinese shape known as "ding," that dates back to 1600 BC. Tripod bowls were originally used for making religious offerings to ancestral gods. This ding is mounted on a finely carved hardwood...
Bronze
Japanese Bronze Crab Okimono Meiji Signed Yasunosuke
Located in Atlanta, GA
This wonderful Japanese cast bronze okimono in the form of crab was made by Yasunosuke, a member of the Ryubundo Yasunosuke family active during Meiji period (1868-1912). Naturalisti...
Bronze
$2,800 / set
H 8.5 in Dm 5 in
Pair of Japanese Edo Period Parcel-Gilt Bronze Dragon Vases, Early 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A pair of well cast and dramatic Japanese parcel gilt bronze dragon vases, Edo period, early 19th century. The heavy bronze vases of pear shape, each with a single writhing dragon cast in high relief...
Bronze
Pair Large Meiji Japanese Bronze Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very fine Meiji period Japanese bronze vases with dark brown patina with dragon handles and exceptional designs of grotesque mythological figures. 23 1/4 inches tall and eac...
Bronze
Japanese Bamboo Ikebana Basket with Handle, Showa Period
Located in Fukuoka, JP
A refined Japanese ikebana basket, expertly handwoven from split bamboo with a tall, cylindrical body and elegantly arched handle crafted to resemble natural bamboo stalks. The baske...
Bamboo
$350Sale Price|50% Off
H 8.5 in Dm 4.8 in
Japanese Ikebana Hanaire form split bamboo basket, c. 1900-1930
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Japanese hand woven split bamboo Ikebana Hanaire form basket. The basket has a flared and diagonally wrapped split bamboo rim which rests above a waisted neck and narrow shoulder wit...
Bamboo
Vintage Japanese Large Ikebana Basket Split Bamboo
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage sculptural bamboo ikebana basket, or hanakago, features an unusual form with a hexagonal base that tapers to a round opening. The body of the basket is hand woven with simple...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Japanese Meiji Period Large Bronze Vessel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful Japanese Bronze vase from the Meiji period we believe. Early 20th Century. Nice scale and form. It is slightly over 24 inches tall. Crisp casting and nice detail. The b...
Bronze
$730
H 11.23 in Dm 5.12 in
Japanese Small Bamboo Ikebana Basket for Ikebana– Handwoven, Early 20th Century
Located in Fukuoka, JP
A beautifully handwoven Japanese bamboo basket, crafted in the early 20th century for use in ikebana (the art of flower arranging). This tall, narrow form with a rounded rim and twis...
Bamboo
$895
H 0.2 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
Japanese Edo Meiji Antique Tsuba Sword Hand Guard with Waves and Plovers Design
Located in Studio City, CA
A quite wonderful, intricately crafted, evocative Tsuba - Japanese Samurai sword hand guard often circular, sometimes square, which emerged as an essential part of Japanese sword craftsmanship during the Heian period (794–1185). Initially crafted from iron or bronze, over time they became more decorative in nature and more for show as the waring Samurai clans disbanded and became part of Japan's past. The particular Tsuba features a traditional wave and plovers (birds) design - a classic motif made popular by renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai's famous image "The Great Wave off Kanagawa (Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura))" The rare rolled edges, dark almost black patina, expert craftsmanship, and irregular shape makes this quite an appealing work. The piece is likely from the mid to later Edo Period (1603-1868). The Tsuba has a great feel to it. Would be a great addition to any Tsuba or Japanese Asian...
Iron
$995
H 3 in W 2.5 in D 0.25 in
Japanese Edo Meiji Signed Antique Tsuba Sword Hand Guard with Oni Demon Design
Located in Studio City, CA
A quite wonderful and evocative signed antique Tsuba - Japanese sword hand guard often circular, sometimes square, which emerged as an essential part of Japanese sword craftsmanship during the Heian period (794–1185). Initially crafted from iron or bronze, over time they became more decorative in nature and more for show as the waring Samurai clans disbanded and became part of Japan's past. The particular Tsuba features a Oni Demon design. Oni are fearsome, ogre-like demons or trolls from Japanese folklore, known for their monstrous appearance, immense strength, and cruel nature but conversely and somewhat contradictorily they can also symbolize good fortune, representing the duality of evil and protection in Japanese culture and sometimes serve as guardians against evil. The piece is likely from the late Edo Period (1603-1868) or early Meiji Period (1868-1912). It is signed on the verso/backside. This Tsuba has a great feel and heft to it. Would be a great addition to any Tsuba or Japanese Asian sword...
Copper, Iron
Fine Mid 20th C. Japanese Bamboo Ikebana Basket
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A finely crafted split and stained bamboo handled Ikebana Basket with fine traditional form. The Basket with a strong weave in a mix of wider and slender elements creating a captivat...
Bamboo
Japanese Hokkai Lacquered Picnic Baskets
Located in New Orleans, LA
This remarkable pair of Edo-period lacquered Hokkai, or picnic baskets, was likely crafted for a prominent daimyo (lord) around 1780 during this time of great affluence. Reflecting a...
Gold, Copper
Sold
H 7.8 in W 7.09 in D 6.3 in
Very Rare Antique Baskets Woven with Paper Strings / Japan or Korea / Mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
If you want something special, we recommend purchasing items selected by us. We sell items from all over the world, with a focus on carefully selected old Japanese items. I've seen...
Lacquer, Paper