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.
Rare Pair of Japanese Samurai Abumi (Stirrups) from the Edo Period
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare and evocative pair of antique Japanese samurai abumi (horse-riding stirrups) dating to the Edo period (1603–1868). Expertly forged in iron, with a silver inlay decorative desi...
Silver, Iron
A Set of Six Takatori Ware Dishes Now Mounted
Located in Stamford, CT
A set of Six Takatori Ware plates. One employing the Japanese Kintsugi technique of using gold to repair cracked ceramics. As a philosophy, kintsugi is similar to the Japanese phi...
Stoneware
Pair of Japanese Edo Period Musha Ningyo Courtier Dolls
Located in Austin, TX
Two exquisite Japanese musha ningyo dolls, crafted as courtiers, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan. The older man can be identified as the h...
Shell, Brocade, Silk, Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
Set of Six Early 20th Century Carved Wood Knobkerries, South Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Six Knobkerries from South Africa A group of six knobkerries from South Africa, mounted together on a wooden base. These were originally used as weapons during battle but have evolv...
Wood
$3,800
H 44 in W 32.5 in D 1.5 in
Pressed Botanicals Set of (9) Mounted in Old Window Frame Italian Dated 1913
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Pressed Italian Botanicals Set of (9) Mounted in an Old Window Frame with great old paint. We were fortunate enough to purchase two old window frames that probably some very clever i...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$3,775 / set
H 9 in W 14 in D 6 in
Set of 4 Swiss Alpine Mounted Antler & Horn Natural Specimens / Sculptures 1950
Located in New York, NY
An extraordinary collection of 4 European Mid-Century deer skulls and antler / horns mounted on hand carved wood plaques from the Swiss Alpine Regions. Each specimen is an individual...
Bone, Fruitwood
Japanese Edo Period Bronze Vase of Mimikuchi Flying Handle Form
Located in Buffalo, NY
A rare Edo period bronze vase with Mimikuchi flying handles, with quartered pear shaped body with spiral to the front and back, supported on a flared...
Bronze
$2,800
H 10.25 in W 10.5 in D 7.5 in
Japanese Carved and Lacquered Wood Shogun, Edo Period, 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
An unusual Japanese carved wood, lacquer, and gilt decorated portrait sculpture of a shogun, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan. The unidentified shogun (possibly Tokugawa Iey...
Wood, Lacquer
$800
H 11.15 in W 3.39 in D 2.76 in
Japanese Antique Edo Period Stone Buddha / 19th Century / Garden Ornament
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a small Jizo Bodhisattva statue believed to have been made in the late Edo period (19th century). It is believed to be made of granite. Its rough texture exudes a gentle aura...
Stone
$700
H 7.09 in W 2.37 in D 2.56 in
Small wooden Buddha statue from the Edo period in Japan/17th to 19th century
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We are pleased to present a small wood carving of a flanking Bodhisattva made around the Edo period. This work is thought to be one of the Kannon ...
Cypress
Japanese Bronze Vase, Edo Period
Located in London, GB
A Japanese solid bronze Mimikuchi handled vase with crisply detailed spiral design on a beautifully rounded body. This rare piece dates from the early to mid 1800's. A very fine example of Japanese Edo period...
Bronze
Japanese Lacquer Chest, Edo Period
Located in Greding, DE
Small rectangular Japanese chest with gold lacquer decoration in the form of leaf tendrils. The chest is decorated with cut-out and ornamentally engraved fittings on the corners and ...
Brass
Japanese Antique Wooden Buddhist Figure, Edo Period '1603-1868'
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This antique wooden Buddhist figure was crafted in the Edo Period (1603–1868). Although the specific identity of the deity it represents is unknown, the figure has a gentle presence...
Wood
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.63 in W 29.53 in D 21.66 in
Rare Hexagonal Buddhist Statue Base, Gilded, Edo Period, 17th Century
Located in Prahran, Victoria
Rare and unusual hexagonal Buddhist base for a statue with a recumbent shi-shi (guardian lion dog), gilded and carved with inset glass eyes and painted with mineral pigments. Most likely the base to a sculpture of Monju Bosatsu...
Wood
Set of Three Edo Period Arrowheads, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Edo Period Arrowheads on custom bases, Japan These arrowheads are called yashiri or yanone and were used for various purposes, such as presentations and gifts, or for battle and h...
Steel
Chinese Eternal Life Netsuke Charm, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Japanese artisans have long held mastery in the creation of miniature treasures, or netsuke. Carved from bone, this leaf with a central chrysanthemum medallion would have been a wais...
Bone
Late 19th Century Japanese Eternal Turtle Netsuke
Located in Chicago, IL
This miniature hand carved masterpiece is a Japanese netsuke, used as a button-like toggle used to secure cords to traditional Japanese garments. The most highly prized designs were ...
Boxwood
Japanese Okame Woman Netsuke
Located in Chicago, IL
This netsuke (or button-like toggle) would once have hung from the drawstring of a small pouch or bag, which Japanese men wore at their waist. Although it had a practical purpose, th...
Steel
Pair of Japanese Ikebana Flower Bouquets
Located in London, by appointment only
A pair of late 19th century Japanese Ikebana displays based in bronze vase with large arrangement of giltwood flowers in various stages of development Japan, circa 1900.
Japanese Antique Samurai Iron Arrow Collection Ya, 18th-19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
Here's an instant and rare collection to accent your indoor display space with this treasure from Japan! This is a superb collection of seven (7) 100-200 year old Samurai iron arrow heads. These are accompanied by a custom crafted wooden display stand as shown. These rare arrow heads date to the middle Edo period and range up to 200 years old. Dimensions: arrows vary from 4 to 7 inches length Quality: fine dark patina, modest rust still scene on a few signifying appropriate great age. History of Japan's iron arrows: Ya (? arrow is the Japanese word for arrow, and commonly refers to the arrows used...
Iron