Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1900s / Storage Tansu Wabisabi

About the Item

This is a very old Japanese small drawer storage. The furniture is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). This is a "Shonai chest" chest made in the Tohoku region of Japan. It is characterized by its decorative metal fittings, and is a popular chest in Japan. The central support post with the decorative metal fittings acts as a lock. It is original and can be used with a key. (It is very rare for this part to still exist.) It is all original. "Shonai" is a port town, and many dresser chests were made for shipping by ship. This was also made very heavy, probably because it was for use on ships. It weighs 43kg. It is mainly made of cedar wood. The handle is made of iron. The design of the handle is also not often seen elsewhere. The design is extremely simple and there is no waste. It is characterized by the simplicity unique to Japan. It has been carefully and meticulously maintained so as not to spoil the atmosphere of the passage of time. All drawers open and close smoothly. All have been cleaned and disinfected. You can use them with confidence. The spirit of "wabi-sabi", the Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection and impermanence, can be felt here. It is the opposite of vulgarity, a modest, unassuming, unconventional beauty. Since ancient times, people have made the necessary tools from familiar materials to survive in the harsh battle with nature, passed them down, and cultivated a lifestyle and culture. The longer they are used, the more flavor they gain, and they reflect the way people live. The harsher the natural environment and the weaker the people are, the stronger the power of the tools. In today's world where cheap and disposable goods are encouraged, the act of repeatedly modifying and remaking the things around us opens up a new world. With this in mind, we carefully select and collect old Japanese tools.

Dimensions:
Height: 24.22 in (61.5 cm)Width: 35.83 in (91 cm)Depth: 19.3 in (49 cm)
Style:
Meiji (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Cedar
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
Early 20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1860s-1900s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Sammu-shi, JP
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU5487243716162