From 1868 to 1912, Emperor Mutsuhito oversaw an era of transformation in Japan. Formerly a country of feudalism and isolation, Japan entered an age of modernization influenced by newly established trade and exchange with the West. The Meiji period, or period of “enlightened rule,” also saw the global impact of the East Asian country’s culture. Japanese Meiji furniture was exhibited at expositions from Paris to San Francisco and created for export.
Prior to the Meiji era, furniture was mostly made by commission for the ruling class; now there were new domestic and international markets. European styles like Japonisme appropriated Japanese design while craftsmen in places like Wales and England employed japanning, a varnishing technique that approximated the appearance of lacquer for the surfaces of furnishings.
Meiji furniture made for Japanese homes and buildings constructed in Western styles resulted in taller tables, chairs, cabinets with large drawers and other features. The government invested in areas such as transportation and communication, and because people could freely choose occupations after the restrictions of feudalism, industries of various types were energized by expressive new ideas during those years. Art schools were formed and, for the first time, design was an area of study in the country, leading to the evolution of professional design as a career by the 1890s.
The work of Japanese designers was transmitted widely through lavishly illustrated pattern books that included designs for screens and lacquerware for the home. While screens today may be of use as decorative accents or partitions to ensure privacy in one’s space, Japanese screens were adorned with paintings and were featured in performing arts such as concerts, tea ceremonies and more. The color illustrations that characterize Meiji woodblock prints, a genre of Japanese art that grew out of 17th-century developments in printing and book publishing, depicted the sweeping changes that the era brought to East Asia.
Although it was a time of societal and cultural shifts, a bolstered interest in art and design elevated Japanese craft traditions. From colorful porcelain table lamps with silk shades and hardwood tables decorated with dark lacquer to cabinets featuring iron hardware and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, Meiji furniture showcased Japan’s artistic heritage to the world.
Find a collection of antique Japanese Meiji period case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Japanese wooden antique stool / 1868-1920 / Meiji period / brazier
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a wooden hibachi (traditional Japanese brazier) believed to have been made between the Meiji period and the early Showa period. Originally used as a hibachi, we are now prese...
Wood
Antique Japanese wooden lattice chair / 1868-1920 / Simple and rustic stool
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old wooden chair believed to have been made between the Meiji and Taisho periods, or perhaps the early Showa period. Its simple yet distinctive design is eye-catching, evo...
Oak
Japanese Late Meiji Period Red and Green Lacquered Stool with Semicircular Seat
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese late Meiji period red lacquered stool from the early 20th century, with hand painted green accents, semi circular top, four splaying legs and side stretchers. Created in J...
Wood
Japanese Carved and Lacquered Shibayama Cabinet, Meiji Period
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elaborate and finely detailed carved wood, and gold lacquered Shibayama cabinet (Chigaidansu). Having beautifully applied semi-precious stone and ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
$800
H 22.64 in W 13.78 in D 23.63 in
Japanese Antique "Staircase Chest" 'Late Edo Period-Meiji Period' /Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We have an aesthetic sense peculiar to Japanese people. And we introduce the unique items that only we can do, the route of purchasing in Japan, the experience value so far, and the way that no one can imitate. Japanese antique black chest "staircase chest...
Cedar
$600
H 15.44 in W 22.56 in D 13.23 in
Japanese antique Primitive Wooden Bench or Stool, Meiji Era'1868-1912'Wabi Sabi
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This antique small bench was crafted in the Meiji Era (1868–1912). The seat is made of chestnut wood, offering a sturdy texture and gentle natural grain. The legs are uniquely desig...
Wood
$2,700
H 21.5 in W 17.5 in D 8.5 in
Japanese Marquetry Hanging or Table Cabinet, Meiji Period, c. 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A large and remarkable Japanese lacquer and marquetry decorated table or hanging cabinet, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The cabinet of square form surmounted by an arched top with upturned scroll ends. Eight drawers of various shapes and sizes adorn the exterior of the cabinet. Doors on either side open to reveal interiors fitted with cubby holes over a single drawer. The front of the cabinet is decorated with scattered geometric marquetry patterns of various design utilizing contrasting woods, including hardwood and burl, all in the yosegi zaiku technique. The sides and top of the cabinet of black lacquer with maki-e lacquer painted designs of flowers and grasses. The back of plain black lacquer with two hoops for hanging. The interior of the cabinet doors and the interior drawers decorated in the wakasa lacquer technique, with gold rhomboid accents against a polished black lacquer ground. Overall a striking accent piece and nice example of Japanese yosegi...
Metal, Brass, Copper
Rustic wooden stool Ca.1935
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Small wooden stool made of a solid piece of tree. Has a rustic and Wabi-Sabi look.
Wood
Late Meiji Japanese Cha Tansu Tea Chest Display Cabinet Cupboard 45"
Located in Dayton, OH
An antique Meiji era Cha Tansu Tea Cabinet. Features a burled frame. Features a central display portion with etched glass covering shelves and upper and lower cupboard with sliding...
Hardwood, Burl
Rustic Antique Wooden Elm Side Lamp Table Stool
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Antique Elm Rustic Wooden Stool – BF A lovely vintage wooden elm stool. The stool is solid, lovely original patina and character with each one being totally unique. Traditional cons...
Elm
Japanese Meiji Period Carved Dragon Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Highly carved sculptural Meiji dragon armchair.: dragon motif carried throughout arms and chair with fantastic detailed hand carvings.
Wood
$1,325
H 17.72 in W 16.93 in D 10.24 in
A Meiji/Taisho Period Street Vendor Stool, Cedar Timbers. Japan, early 1900s
Located in Hitchin, England
A most probably Meiji/Taisho period street vendor stool, constructed of cedar timbers. Originating from Japan and dating from the early 1900s with handp...
Wood
$500
H 16.34 in W 11.93 in D 11.42 in
Iron Stool Used in an Old Japanese Elementary School/Made in 1965
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a stool used at Minoya Elementary School in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. The back of the seat has the name of the school and the fact that it was built in 1965. A simple stool with an oak top and iron legs. Two plastic parts on the toe are missing, but there is no problem in use. Old school...
Iron
Japanese Meiji Period Tansu Chest
Located in Pomona, CA
A Japanese Meiji period keyaki wood Sendai tansu clothing chest from the late 19th century, with hand-cut iron hardware.
Iron
$16,500
H 74.5 in W 48 in D 14.5 in
Antique Japanese Lacquer Inlaid Hardwood Meiji Period Shibayama Shodana Cabinet
Located in Portland, OR
An exquisite antique Japanese Meiji period Shibayama Shodana cabinet, circa 1880. One of the finest antique Shibayama cabinets one will see, ...
Gold
Antique Modernist Japanese Shopkeepers Stool
Located in Oakland, CA
Beautiful antique Japanese shopkeepers stool with wonderful modern look, Meiji period. Great as an accent piece, can be used for storage of small objects. Has a wonderful old patina.
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Stool / Side Table
Located in Oakland, CA
Early 20th Century Japanese stool that can also be utilized as a side table. All solid wood construction, I believe it to be Japanese oak put together with nails. It is a very robust...
Wood, Oak
Sold
H 18.51 in W 18.9 in D 20.08 in
Japanese Antique Tree Root Stool 1860s-1920s / Side Chair Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This account is operated by four different companies. As for me, I specialize in Japanese antiques and carefully selected items. With my 20 years of experience, I am re-proposing Jap...
Wood
Sold
H 16.93 in W 17.45 in D 10.24 in
Japanese antique wooden stool/1868-1920/farmer's tools/"Kurakake"
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese wooden stand. It was originally used as a stand for holding a horse saddle. The name of the tool is "Kurakake". The saddle was likely used on horses kept for ...
Cedar
Sold
H 14.77 in W 23.04 in D 10.63 in
Japanese Antique Wooden Stool / Chair Stepping Stone / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese wooden stepping stone. It is made of cedar wood. For a long period of time, traces that have been restored many times remain, creating a deep and quaint atm...
Wood, Cedar
Sold
H 17.72 in W 15.95 in D 12.21 in
Japanese antique wooden stool / Late 19th to 20th century / Wabi-sabi chair
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old wooden stool made in Japan between the Meiji and early Showa periods. It is thought to have been used in factories and schools. The material is cedar. It has a simple,...
Cedar
Sold
H 10.91 in W 13.78 in D 11.82 in
Antique Japanese wooden octagonal stool/20th century/Display stand
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese octagonal workbench used by craftsmen. I don't know what kind of craftsman used it, but it is an item with a design that is occasionally seen in Japan. It is...
Wood
Sold
H 16.15 in W 18.9 in D 17.13 in
Japanese antique wooden wabi stool / Meiji-Taisho-Showa period / 1868-1920
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a wooden mortar made in Japan from the Meiji period to the early Showa period. It is thought to be a design that was made in northern Kanto to Tohoku. The wood is made of zel...
Wood
Japanese primitive stool / wabi-sabi stool / Flower stand
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This stool has a beautiful, deep black color. Its appearance gives off a sense of Japanese wabi-sabi. It is made from a tree stump and has a lacquer-like finish. It is useful as both...
Wood, Cedar
Antique Modern Japanese Shopkeepers Stool
Located in Oakland, CA
Beautiful antique Japanese shopkeepers stool with wonderful modern look, Meiji period. Great as an accent piece, can be used for storage of small objects. Has a couple very old repai...
Wood
Japanese Antique Primitive Stool 1860s-1900s / Object Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old primitive style stool made in Japan. It was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). It is carved from chestnut wood. It was used as a working chair by farmers...
Chestnut
Sold
H 14.77 in W 24.41 in D 16.54 in
Japanese Antique Primitive Stool 1860s-1900s / Chair Display Stand Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese stool made from a tree branch. It was made in the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). The detailed timber name is unknown, but it is made of solid hardwood materi...
Wood