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.
$2,882Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
$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
Antique Japanese Bronze Cloisonné/Champleve Vase Urn
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Japanese Bronze Cloisonné/Champleve Vase Urn This Antique Japanese Bronze Cloisonné/Champleve Vase Urn showcases the timeless artistry of traditional Japanese craftsmanship...
Enamel
$1,400
H 17.72 in W 13.19 in D 13.59 in
Edo Period Japanese Antique Shigaraki ware pottery Jar, Tsubo vessel
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Japanese Antique Tsubo, Pottery Jar is attributed to Shigaraki ware, estimated to date from mid Edo period, early 18th century. This old Shigaraki jar conveys a rich sense of expres...
Pottery
$10,218
H 24.41 in Dm 13 in
Antique Monumental Japanese Meiji Arita Blue and White Porcelain Vase 19th C
Located in Nottingham, GB
An imposing large-scale Japanese Arita porcelain vase dating to the Meiji period, decorated in finely executed underglaze cobalt blue. The vase features two principal panels depicti...
Porcelain
$3,658
H 15.36 in W 9.45 in D 9.45 in
Antique Japanese Edo Period Arita Temple Vase with Cover, circa 1695
Located in Nottingham, GB
A rare late 17th-century Japanese Arita porcelain temple vase dating to circa 1695, retaining its domed cover surmounted by a gilded Foo Dog finial and presented on a later stand. T...
Porcelain
$3,807
H 23.63 in W 12.21 in D 12.21 in
Large Antique Japanese Meiji Period Imari Arita Vase with Sea Dragon Mid 19th C
Located in Nottingham, GB
An impressive large-scale Japanese Arita porcelain baluster vase dating to the Meiji period and produced during the second half of the 19th century for the export market. Standing a...
Porcelain
$1,750
H 20.87 in W 15.75 in D 17.33 in
Japanese Antique Pottery Jar 17th-18th Century/ Wabi-Sabi /Tokoname
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Tokoname is a region in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, renowned as one of the country's oldest pottery centers, with a history dating back to the 12th century. This jar, despite cracking ...
Pottery
$3,807
H 28.35 in Dm 10.63 in
Large Japanese Edo Period Arita Porcelain Vase with Stand, Early 19th Century
Located in Nottingham, GB
An impressive large Japanese Arita porcelain vase dating to the Edo period and early 19th century. Standing an imposing 72 cm high with its stand, the vase combines substantial scal...
Porcelain
$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 of vases. Bronze. Japan, Meiji period (1868 1912).
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of vases. Bronze. Japan, Meiji period (1868 1912). Pair of bronze vases decorated with figurative elements and a band of gadroons. The necks feature two oriental-style dragons ...
Bronze
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
$2,068Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 22 in W 10.25 in D 10.25 in
19th Century Japanese Pair of Bronze Urn Vases
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a 19th century pair of Japanese Bronze Vases. These are an urn shaped vases that their bodies depicts a high relief scene of some Phoenix birds around some foliage together w...
Bronze
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
$895
H 14.75 in W 6 in D 6 in
19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Imari Ribbed Blue & White Porcelain Vase
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique 19th-Century Japanese Imari scalloped floral vase made during the Meiji period. This fine vase has a lovely baluster form with a ribbed design, ruffled rim, and ha...
Porcelain
A Pair of Large Japanese Bronze Vases, Meiji Period.
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Large Japanese Bronze Vases, Meiji Period. These large bronze vases have flared rims at the top with a raised flying bird design and isometric handles with a fantasy anima...
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
Sold
H 16 in W 13 in D 13 in
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
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
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