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 Antique Low Table, Wabi Sabi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is an antique wooden low table from the Meiji period (1986-1912). The curved legs are beautiful. It was used as a workbench by craftsmen at the time. The material is high-qual...
Wood
$2,860Sale Price|44% Off
Early 20th Century Meiji Period Japanese Export Center Table with Dragons
Located in Austin, TX
A powerfully carved Japanese export dragon center table, Meiji Period, early 20th century. Made for the export market, the rectangular table features a...
Softwood
Japanese Antique Low Table 1900s-1940s / Sofa Table Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique low table made in Japan. Crafted in the early Showa period (1900s–1940s), it was originally used in a rural farmhouse, quietly supporting everyday life over many y...
Cherry
$1,275
H 10 in W 32 in D 17 in
Japanese Meiji Period Low Table with Recessed Legs and Open Carved Cutout Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period low table from the early 20th century, with recessed legs and open carved cutout design. Created in Japan during the Meiji era where is was used as a low writing table, this piece features a rectangular top overhanging two recessed legs showcasing pierced motifs. Boasting a nicely distressed patina throughout, this Japanese Meiji period early 20th century low table...
Wood
$1,380
H 13.78 in W 39.77 in D 39.97 in
1910s-20s Japanese antique wabi sabi Zataku, low canter table, low coffee table
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Japanese antique Zataku low table for 4 people, a set of tabletop & wooden leg frame. Aimed to make as Kotatsu table (heat table with brazier) in winter. Tabletop material is ma...
Hardwood, Cedar
$1,900
H 16.15 in W 67.33 in D 32.29 in
1920s-40s Japanese wabi sabi large low center table, display table or bench
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from an old elementary school in Ibaraki pref., Japan. This vintage low table - or bench, was manufactured circa 1920s to 40s (early Showa era), estimate from the style & ...
Cypress
$900
H 23.82 in W 24.22 in D 12.6 in
Japanese Antique Black Box / Side Table Exhibition Stand / 1868-1912s/ Wabi-sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old wooden storage box made in Japan. It is thought to date from around the Meiji period and is made of cedar. It has a simple design with no metal fittings. The overall m...
Wood, Cedar
$1,800
H 9.06 in W 39.38 in D 24.81 in
Japanese Antique Brutalist Low Table 1900s-1940s / Side Table Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This low table boasts an impressive organic form, seemingly a direct reflection of natural shapes. The powerful wood grain, characteristic of a single slab, and the subtle black tex...
Wood
Japanese antique stand / wabi-sabi stand / Flower stand
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This table stand combines a zelkova tree trunk base with a karinn (quince) wood tabletop. The zelkova trunk that forms the base is hollow inside and has an organic shape that evok...
Wood
$850
H 12.49 in Dm 23.23 in
Japanese Antique Round Low Table, Keyaki, Taisho Era (1912–1926), Wabi Sabi
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This antique round low table was crafted in the Taisho Era (1912–1926) from Keyaki (Japanese zelkova). The solid zelkova top displays beautifully figured grain patterns, rich in char...
Wood
$1,000
H 11.03 in W 15.75 in D 10.24 in
Japanese Antique Paper-Covered Low Writing Desk 1857s / Low Table Wabi-Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a very old Japanese low writing desk covered with paper. Within its simple and restrained presence resides a quiet tension and spiritual depth that only furniture shaped by l...
Copper
$1,725
H 17.5 in W 28.25 in D 16 in
Japanese Meiji Period 19th Century Blanket Chest with Iron Hardware and Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period blanket chest from the 19th century with iron hardware and distressed patina. Created in Japan during the Meiji period, this wooden blanket chest features a s...
Iron
Japanese Antique Low Table 1860s-1920s / Sofa Table Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese low table. Its long, horizontal proportions create a calm and balanced presence, bringing a quiet sense of stability to a space. Free from excessive ornamenta...
Wood
Sold|$1,500
H 22.45 in W 48.04 in D 26.58 in
Japanese Antique Large Black Box / Sofa Table Side Table /1868-1912s / Wabi-sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
This is a large, old Japanese wooden box. It is believed to date from around the Meiji period and is made of pine and cedar. A type of folk item used in the early modern period, thi...
Wood, Cedar, Pine
Japanese Antique Low Table, Late Meiji Era'1868-1912'Wabi Sabi
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This antique low table was crafted in the Late Meiji Era (1868–1912). Its wide top is made from solid zelkova (keyaki) wood, while the legs are crafted from cedar—both materials tha...
Wood, Cedar
Sold
H 11.97 in W 33.19 in D 29.34 in
Japanese Antique Square Low Table, Late Meiji Era '1868–1912', Wabi Sabi
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This antique square low table was crafted in the Late Meiji Era (1868–1912). Made entirely of zelkova (keyaki) wood, it features a graceful appearance with beautifully flowing grain...
Wood
Sold
H 11.03 in W 47.96 in D 28.63 in
Japanese Antique Zataku Low Table, Late Meiji Era'1868-1912'Wabi Sabi
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This antique Low Table was crafted in the Late Meiji Era(1868-1912). With a simple and refined design, it features hexagonal legs and crossed stretchers, giving it a composed appear...
Cedar
Sold
H 7.6 in W 60.71 in D 21.89 in
Wabi-sabi wooden low table used in Japanese schools/1874-1920/sofa table
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a wooden workbench used at an elementary school (Oshio School) in the northeastern part of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. This low table is made of tochi or beech wood and is ...
Beech
Sold
H 14.89 in W 44.02 in D 23.94 in
Japanese antique wooden sofa table/1868-1920/Wabisabi coffee table
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We would like to introduce you to a rare table that gives you a wabi-sabi feeling. This item is a low table that combines a top plate and table base made from the Meiji period to the...
Chestnut
Sold
H 11.03 in W 35.83 in D 27.96 in
Japanese Antique Black Low Table, Meiji Era '1868-1912', Wabi Sabi
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This is a Japanese antique black low table. It was made in the Meiji Era(1868-1912). This Japanese-made antique low table is simple y...
Wood
Sold
H 6.11 in W 36.03 in D 41.23 in
Japanese Very Old Wooden Low Table/1868-1920/Wabisabi Table/Exhibition Stand
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese wooden workbench. I think it was used for kneading and cutting something. It is a tool that was used in private houses and farmers. The simple design m...
Cedar
Sold
H 5.52 in W 73.35 in D 11.03 in
Japanese Rare Wabi Sabi Antique Wooden Low Table/Coffee Table/1868-1920
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
The tabletop uses a part of a wooden boat built from the Meiji to Taisho periods, and the table base uses the wheels of a chest of drawers (a chest of ...
Cedar
Japanese antique wooden low table/primitive sofa table/1870-1920
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a Japanese antique wooden sofa table. The top and table base are made of zelkova wood. Keyaki is a high-quality wood that has been used fo...
Wood
Japanese Antique Wooden Long Low Table/1912-1950 /TV Board
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We have a unique Japanese aesthetic sense. And only we can introduce unique items through our purchasing channels in Japan and the experience we have gained so far, in such a way that no one else can imitate. This is a low table that was used from the Taisho era to the early Showa era. It was used as a workbench and was used to cut kimono and process cloth. There were many tools of this kind in Japanese private houses. However, most of them are made of boards and there are no table type ones. This is a slightly unusual type with legs. Try side by side with a low sofa. It can also be used for table boards. I don't know the type of wood, I think it's probably birch. The top plate is slightly warped, but it is in such a state that it is hardly noticeable. Please take a look at the photo. It's a very cool table...
Birch
Sold
H 17.13 in W 32.29 in D 19.69 in
Japanese Old Wooden Box 1868-1900 / Antique Storage Sofa Table Coffee Table Side
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
The wooden box made from the Meiji period to the Taisho period (1868-1900). The wooden box made by combining simple cedar boards. I think it was a box that contained some tools. For many years, soot from the hearth and other parts stuck together and accumulated, resulting in such a black appearance. Don't worry, this soot won't stick to your hands if you touch it. It has a very beautiful black color overall and a simple shape. Good condition. It is a nice wooden box that makes you feel very wabisabi. It is also nice to use as a table or exhibition stand. Things like this are not everywhere. It's rare. Also, in Japan, such things are becoming less and less common. We believe that it is our mission to convey the charm of such old things and keep them. There are few stores that sell such items at 1st dibs. We sell with...
Cedar
Sold
H 12.21 in W 29.93 in D 14.38 in
Japanese Antique Wooden Low Table / 1868-1920 / Meiji Era / Coffee Table
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese study desk or a desk table used in shops. In Japan, low tables like this used to be used for sitting because of the tatami r...
Cedar