Japanese Vintage Cedar Open Shelf with Distinctive Design, Circa 1930
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This Japanese vintage open shelf was crafted around 1930, during the Early Showa Period (1926–1940). Made primarily from Japanese cedar wood, the piece features a simple, open-front design with three storage sections. Its most distinctive feature is the arrangement of four upright wooden posts, which extend above the top shelf and continue below the cabinet body to form its legs. The extended posts give the shelf an unusual silhouette, while the straight horizontal lines of the shelves create a sense of balance. The open space beneath the cabinet adds a feeling of lightness to its otherwise straightforward construction. The wooden joints are neatly fitted into the upright posts, reflecting the thoughtful simplicity of its design. Without unnecessary ornamentation, the structure itself becomes the defining feature of the piece. This type of shelving was traditionally used to store zabuton (Japanese floor cushions...
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Bookcases
Cedar
