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.
Shigaraki Jar Tsubo Vase Pottery Mingei Japanese Wabi Sabi Metallic Black Zen
By Shigaraki Valley Potters
Located in Wilton, CT
Vintage Japanese Shigaraki jar in shimmering metallic black glaze, circa early/mid 20th century. Measures: 16" high. 13" diameter. Small chip at inner ri...
Stoneware
Pair Of Antique Decorative Urns, Japanese, Bronze, Vase, Edo Period, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique decorative urns. A Japanese, bronze baluster vase, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1850. Delightful pair of va...
Bronze
Antique Japanese Porcelain Blue White Edo Period Arita Jug Ewer Figural, 17th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Rare & Beautiful Arita Japanese Porcelain Jug . Scene with figures and birds in a landscape. This 17th Century Japanese Export Porcelain Jug or Ewer, Arita Kilns c.1670-1690 is pain...
Porcelain
Metallic Bronze Handbuilt Wabi-Sabi Ceramic Vase Large
By MONDAYS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand-built shallow vase. Wabi Sabi and minimalist yet striking, perfect for a single dramatic stem or a small bouquet. Available in Golden bronze or matte white on dark clay. Approxi...
Ceramic
$900
H 14.38 in Dm 14.97 in
Japanese Antique Pottery with Beautiful Ripped in the Edo Period/Tsubo Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old jar baked in Japan. It seems to be in the Edo period (1700s-1800s). The unique distorted shape is beautiful. The color and balance of the gla...
Pottery
Very old Japanese excavated earthenware/Wabi Sabi vase
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is earthenware excavated in Japan. It has a very beautiful shape and is well balanced. The color of the pottery is light brown because it is fired at a low temperature. Dependin...
Pottery
Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Shigaraki Jar Early Edo period, 17th century
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a Ko-Shigaraki jar. Its presence feels as though the raw power of the earth itself has been captured in form, embodying the fundamental beauty inherent in ancient Japanese ce...
Pottery
$1,000
H 12.13 in Dm 9.77 in
Japanese Antique Pottery Jar 15th-16th Century/ Wabi-Sabi Jar/Tokoname Vase
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a very old jar in Japan. This is a pottery called Tokoname ware. Tokoname is a kiln located in Aichi prefecture, Japan. It is said to have originated around the 12th century. A...
Pottery
Metallic Bronze Handbuilt Wabi-Sabi Ceramic Vase
By MONDAYS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand-built shallow vase. Wabi Sabi and minimalist yet striking, perfect for a single dramatic stem or a small bouquet. Available in Golden bronze or matte white on dark clay. Due to the nature of handmade ceramics...
Ceramic
$1,200Sale Price|33% Off
H 20.08 in Dm 16.54 in
Japanese Antique Shigaraki ware 17th Century / Pottery Vase Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old pottery pot made in Japan. It is a very old pot believed to have been made in the 17th century, early Edo period, and is called Koshigaraki in Japan. Koshigaraki refe...
Pottery
$1,800
H 31.11 in Dm 18.9 in
Japanese Antique Black Paper-Covered Pottery Vase 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese ceramic jar covered with layers of traditional paper (washi). It was made during the Meiji period (1860s–1900s) and was originally used for storing and transp...
Paper, Pottery
Imari Porcelain Ceramic Fluted Vase Edo Period Japan
Located in Miami, FL
Lovely Japanese Edo Period (1603-1867) Imari Porcelain Vase in a European form. Created with a vertical scalloped surface, hand painted and hand thrown . Decorated with a medallion i...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery
$1,400
H 17.72 in Dm 12.21 in
19th Japanese antique Cha Tsubo, paper covered pottery vase wabi sabi pot w/ lid
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
From Tohoku area, Japan. This Cha Tsubo, pottery Jar for tea leaf stoage - is a product of late Edo to Meiji era (estimate 1860s-1910) estimate from the style & condition. The ...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Paper
Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Edo Pottery Vase 18th Century / Tsubo
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old ceramic vase made in Japan. It was made in the Edo period (1860s-1860s). It is called Shigaraki ware in Japan. This large vase was used to hold and carry tea leav...
Pottery
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
Sold
H 15 in W 13 in D 13 in
Echizen Ware Edo Period Jar Tsubo Vase Pottery Japanese Wabi Sabi Ash Glaze
Located in Wilton, CT
Antique Edo period Echizen kilns tsubo jar, circa 17th/18th century. Coil built with reddish iron oxide clay and buff colored ash glaze. Large Echizen jars were famous in their time ...
Stoneware
Large Antique Quality Japanese Imari Floor Standing Vase
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large antique quality Japanese Imari floor standing vase having a splendid trumpet shaped scalloped edge top, fantastic hand painted panels with Ja...
Ceramic
Sold
H 12.72 in Dm 10.04 in L 12.72 in
Japanese Old Edo Period Jar / "Seto ware" Black Glaze Vase / Antique Jar
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is "Seto ware". Seto is a historic kiln located in Aichi prefecture, Japan. It is said to have originated around the 13th century. This is a jar around 1700-1800 in the Edo p...
Pottery