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.
Antique Japanese Black Mizuya Tansu Chest with Lattice Sliding Doors Late 19th C
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Acquired in Saitama prefecture, Japan's Kanto region, this Mizuya Tansu chest has been used to store the tableware & kitchen tools in ordinal households, dating back to the late Edo ...
Cedar, Wood
Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Reddish Urushi Mizuya tansu chest, late 19th C
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from an old Kura (traditional storehouse) from Niigata Prefecture, Tohoku area, Japan. Mizuya tansu is made of Japanese Red Pine (Akamatsu) & premium quality reddish S...
Wood, Pine, Cedar
Japanese Antique Large Kuruma Tansu 1800s-1860s / Cabinet Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old, large, Japanese-made Kuruma-Tansu. Made in the Edo period (1800s-1860s), it is a powerful and dignified piece, the culmination of the skills and aesthetic sense of th...
Iron
$4,500
H 34.26 in W 66.15 in D 21.66 in
Japanese Antique Large Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This exceptional Japanese mizuya tansu dates to the Meiji period, circa 1860s to 1900s, and is crafted from solid cedar wood. It embodies the quiet refinement of traditional Japanese...
Iron
$4,000
H 34.65 in W 69.1 in D 20.08 in
Japanese Antique Large Black Tansu / Cabinet Sideboard / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
A Versatile Ceder Wood Cabinet Featuring a Rare Architectural Grid Back, Perfect as a Room Divider. This exceptional Mizuya Dansu (traditional Japanese kitchen...
Cedar
$800
H 14.38 in W 18.9 in D 12.21 in
1860s-80s Japanese antique wabi sabi Urushi mid Tansu chest of drawers
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
From Tohoku area, Japan. This mid-size, black Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers is a product of late Edo to early Meiji era (circa 1860s-1880s) , estimate from the style & con...
Wood
Japanese Antique Large Tansu 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This exceptional Japanese mizuya tansu dates to the Meiji period, circa 1860s to 1900s, and is crafted from solid cedar wood. It represents a refined example of traditional Japanese ...
Metal
$2,000
H 35.71 in W 35.52 in D 15.16 in
Japanese Keyaki 3-Shaku Mizuya Cabinet with Sliding Doors, Taisho Period, c.1920
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This Japanese mizuya cabinet was crafted during the Taisho period, circa 1920. At approximately three shaku wide (about 90 cm / 35.4 inches), this dimension represents a traditional...
Brass
$2,800
H 33.86 in W 53.35 in D 20.87 in
1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest, sideboard wabi sabi primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from a long-established hardware shop in Ibaraki pref., Japan. Single tier Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality, reddish Sugi Cedar, the product of circa 1870s to 190...
Wood, Cedar
$2,552
H 27.96 in W 33.47 in D 15.56 in
Japanese Antique Tansu Drawer Chest Edo Meiji Small Drawers Wabi Sabi Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a Japanese antique drawer chest, believed to date from the late Edo period to early Meiji period circa 1800s to 1900s. Constructed from solid wood and finished in a deep tim...
Iron
$1,290
H 19.69 in W 24.1 in D 14.97 in
1860s-80s Edo Japanese antique mid size Urushi Tansu chest of drawers, wabi sabi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Mid-size, Dark reddish brown Urushi lacquered Tansu chest of drawers. Made of Sugi cedar - a product of late Edo to early Meiji era (circa 1860s-1880s) , estimate from the style &...
Wood, Cedar
$1,856
H 23.63 in W 33.47 in D 17.33 in
Japanese Antique Tansu 1860s-1920s / Cabinet Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Antique Japanese tansu cabinet crafted in Japan during the Meiji period (late 19th to early 20th century). The sliding doors are made o...
Wood
$4,500
H 34.65 in W 69.3 in D 17.52 in
Japanese Antique Large Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Cabinet Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a large antique Japanese black Tansu chest, distinguished by its commanding horizontal proportions and deep black finish that radiates a quiet yet powerful presence. Without ...
Cedar
$4,000
H 44.49 in W 65.16 in D 21.07 in
Japanese Antique Large Tansu / Cabinet Sideboard / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
Overview This exceptional 19th-century Japanese Mizuya Tansu (traditional kitchen cabinet) is a striking example of Meiji-era craftsmanship, blending functional storage with a bold, ...
Cedar, Hardwood
$1,200
H 20.08 in W 29.53 in D 14.18 in
Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers 1800s-1860s/Safe Storage Cabinet Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer. It is an item from the Edo period (1800s-1860s). It has a keyed door so that it can also be used as a safe. Both metal fittings are attached with very ...
Cedar
Sold
H 34.65 in W 71.07 in D 19.69 in
Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Reddish Urushi Mizuya tansu chest, late 19th C
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from an old Kura (traditional storehouse) from Niigata Prefecture, Tohoku area, Japan. Mizuya tansu is made of Japanese Red Pine (Akamatsu) & premium quality reddish S...
Wood, Pine, Cedar
Sold
H 39.97 in W 50.6 in D 24.61 in
Japanese Antique Kuruma Nagamochi / Storage Sideboard / 1800-1860s Wabi-sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
This is a storage piece of furniture that has been used in Japan since ancient times, and is called "Kuruma Nagamochi". The main materials used are Zelkova and cedar, and they were u...
Iron
Sold
H 29.14 in W 55.12 in D 30.32 in
Japanese Antique Black Tansu / Sideboard Exhibition Table / 1860-1900s Wabi-sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
This is a storage furniture that was used very old in Japan and is called "Kurumanagamochi". It is said that if a disaster such as a fire occurs, it was placed near the entrance of ...
Wood, Cedar, Pine
Large scale Antique Japanese Sliding Door Tansu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unusually large late 19th/early 20th century Kyushaku - futon chest. Hinoki wood. Mortise and tenon construction. The length is 9 feet and the height is 40.5 inches. Perfect for a ...
Wood
Sold
H 23.04 in W 42.72 in L 23.04 in
Japanese Antique Tansu 1800s-1900s/Chest of Drawer Cabinet Storage Sideboards
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese storage shelf. It is made of cedar wood. It is an item from the Edo period to the Meiji period. (1800s-1900s) There is no useless decoration, it is simple ...
Cedar
Sold
H 30.32 in W 34.45 in L 30.32 in
Japanese Antique Tansu 1800s-1900s/Chest of Drawer Cabinet Storage Sideboards
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese storage shelf. It is made of cedar wood. It is an item from the Edo period to the Meiji period. (1800s-1900s) There is no useless decoration, it is simple ...
Cedar
Japanese Sliding Door Tansu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edo period hinoki wood tansu with two sliding doors and one interior shelf. Original hardware. Natural patina.
Antique Japanese Tansu Chest with 15 Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Japanese shop chest. Original hand forged hardware. Hinoki wood. 15 Drawers for all your storage needs! Handsome lean lines. Sturdy and functional
Iron