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.
Japanese Antique Indigo Boro “Yogi” 1800s-1860s / Textile Art Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique Japanese Boro Yogi (patched sleeping robe). The countless layers of fabric spread across its surface transcend the boundaries of mere clothing, possessing the powe...
Textile
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Utagawa Kunisada Japanese Woodblock Print
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Miami, FL
A fine, professionally framed original Japanese woodblock print attributed to the master Utagawa Kunisada (1786 – 1865), also known as Utagaw...
Wood, Paper
Nine Japanese Woodblock Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japan, 1798-1861), a set of nine Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) from the series 'Taiheiki Eiyuden', or 'Heroes of the Great Peace' published between 1846-1847...
Paper
Set of Six Japanese Ido Period Shunga 'Erotica' Hanging Lacquered Wood Panels
Located in North Miami, FL
These magnificent lacquered wood panels have been mounted together on a lucite panel. Each panel has its original hanging handle. The panels are hanging on antique railroad...
Metal, Iron
$6,000 / set
Pair of Very Early Temple Calligraphy Panels
Located in Hudson, NY
Pair of very early temple calligraphy panels. A pair of Edo period (17th century) carved wood panels that used to hang outside a temple. One plaque has evidence of a seal in the uppe...
Silk, Wood
19th Century Japanese Edo Six Panel Kano School Landscape Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Late Edo period 19th century Japanese six-panel landscape screen featuring a cypress tree over a flowering hibiscus with a pair of hototogisu birds. Kano school painted with ink and ...
Silk, Wood, Paper
$848Sale Price|29% Off
H 37.41 in W 27.56 in D 2.56 in
Japanese Antique Wooden Board / Wall Decoration Abstract Art / Wabi-Sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese workboard. It was called "Mochiita" and was used as a workbench for kneading flour. It seems to be around the Meiji period. The board is thought to be pine...
Wood
$600
H 30.71 in W 29.93 in D 1.19 in
Antique Tin Door " Wall Decoration " from Japan 1920s-1950s / Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese tin door. It dates from the early Showa period (1920s-1950s). The iron plate is mounted on a cedar wood frame. Having rusted over many years, it has an...
Tin
$4,500
H 20 in W 14 in D 1 in
Utagawa Ando Hiroshige Japanese Woodblock Print Yoroi Ferry at Koami-Cho
By Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando Hiroshige)
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful Japanese woodblock print by famed Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando Hiroshige) (1797-1858) tilted "Yoroi Ferry at Koami-cho (Yoroi no ...
Paper
$1,800
H 94.1 in W 33.08 in D 3.15 in
Japanese Antique Earthen Wall Base / Wall Decoration / 1868-1912s Wabi-sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This wall decoration is the base of the earthen wall of an old Japanese house. In Japan, it's called "komai." It was originally part of the earthen wall of a house built around the ...
Straw, Rope, Wood
$3,500
H 72.84 in W 48.04 in D 2.56 in
Japanese Antique Huge Door " Wall Decoration " 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi"
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Japanese Antique Huge Door " Wall Decoration " 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi This extraordinary large sliding door was once used in an old warehouse in Japan. Dating back to the Meiji per...
Iron
$1,200
H 69.3 in W 66.93 in D 0.08 in
Antique Japanese Indigo dyed cotton textile large Furoshiki wabi sabi wall decor
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Antique Japanese large cotton textile called "Furoshiki", made of indigo-dyed, hand-woven textile. the product of 1870s to 1900s (Meiji to Taisho era). Furoshiki textiles are basica...
Cotton
Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川廣重 Woodblock Print, Koume Embankment
Located in Norton, MA
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) One Hundred Famous Views of Edo - Koume Embankment mounted on a cardboard Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige is recognized as a master of the ukiyo-e woodblock ...
Paper
$600
H 44.5 in W 16.25 in D 1.5 in
Chinese Double Sided Carved Opera Troupe Prop Sign Calligraphy Panels 45"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of vintage mid to early 20th century hardwood opera troupe prop signage hanging panels, carved on both sides with gilded calligraphy; gold edges / frame. Translation: Left pane...
Hardwood
$1,000
H 22.09 in W 25.83 in D 0.79 in
Old Japanese tin-covered iron plate / Showa era / Wall hanging wabi-sabi object
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old iron plate lid that was used in Japan. It is thought to date to around the Showa period, likely from the mid-20th century onward. It is constructed with an iron plate ...
Iron, Tin
$3,400Sale Price|29% Off
H 66 in W 139.5 in D 0.5 in
Japanese Edo Six Panel Screen Yoshitsune and Benkei
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular 19th century Japanese late Edo period six-panel byobu screen depicting Yoshitsune and Benkei, two heroes of Japanese folklore. Crafted in ink and natural color pigments on mulberry paper with thick gold leaf borders on each panel. The character Yoshitsune is seated under a blossoming cherry tree in full armor holding a fan. The warrior priest or monk Benkei is depicted kneeling on a leopard skin...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$600
H 25.99 in W 17.33 in D 1.97 in
Japanese Antique Door "Wall Decoration" 1860s-1900s / Abstract Art Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This was a very old Japanese warehouse (kura) window sliding door. It was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). The frame is made of cedar wood and the lattice is bamboo. It w...
Bamboo, Cedar
Sold
H 72.05 in W 66.93 in D 0.2 in
Japanese Antique Paper Mat Wall Decoration 1800s-1860s / Abstract Art Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a very old Japanese paper mat. It is believed to date from the late Edo period (1800s–1860s) and has an impressive scale of approximately 1700 mm × 1830 mm. It was created by...
Paper
Sold
H 57.49 in W 22.05 in D 0.4 in
Antique Japanese wooden prayer beads / wall hanging object / 1800s
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a "Hyakumanben Nenbutsu Juzu" (Hyakumanben Nembutsu Prayer Beads), crafted between the late Edo and Meiji periods (19th century). Hyakumanben Nembutsu Juzu refers to the gian...
Wood
Sold
H 9.85 in W 5.91 in D 6.3 in
Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Ceramic Wall-hanging Flower Vase 20th Century
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old wall-mounted ceramic vase made in Japan. It was made in the 20th century and was originally an “octopus pot” used to catch octopus at sea. The metal fittings were adde...
Pottery
Sold
H 70.48 in W 72.84 in D 3.15 in
Japanese Antique Large Old Books Art / Wall Decoration Japanese Paper /Wabi-sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is a large wall decoration, combining old Japanese items and made by us original. I used old books from the Edo period and made them randomly. The covers of multiple books of t...
Wood, Paper
Sold
H 4.61 in W 14.41 in D 10.71 in
Japanese Wabi Sabi Antique Wooden Box/1850-1912/Small Black Display Stand
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a wooden box made from the late Edo period to the Meiji period in Japan. The material is considered to be made of chestnut wood. Chestnut is a wood that has been often used in...
Cherry
Rare Japanese Small Wall-Mounted Pottery Jar/1573-1650/Beautiful Glaze
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 th...
Pottery
Japanese Contemporary Black Green Silk Brocade Two Panel Folding Screen
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary Japanese contemporary two panel "byobu" or folding screen featuring two graceful ladies dressed in elegant formal traditional Japanese...
Brocade, Silk
Sold
H 34.06 in W 28.55 in D 2.76 in
Japanese Antique Door 'Abstract Art' 1800s-1900s/Architecture Wabisabi Mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a door of a very old Japanese warehouse (KURA). This door is from the Edo period. (1800s-1900s) Very rare. The door was made of plaster, but the plaster has peeled off. ...
Wood
Sold
H 41.15 in W 28.15 in D 2.56 in
Japanese Antique Black Wooden Board 1800s-1900s/Abstract Art Wabisabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a work board used in Japanese private houses. It is an item from the Edo period. Weight 7.5kg It seems that it was a work table for kneading wheat. After many years of ...
Cedar
Sold
H 31.7 in W 33.67 in L 31.7 in
Japanese Old Door 'Abstract Art' 1800s-1900s/Antique Architecture Wabisabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is the door of the warehouse (KURA) in the Edo period in Japan. This door is from the late Edo period to the Meiji period. (1800-1900s) The door was made of plaster, but the p...
Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 33.67 in D 3.94 in
Japanese Old Door 'Abstract Art' 1750s-1860s /Antique Architecture Wabisabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is the door of a warehouse (KURA) in the Edo period in Japan. This door dates from the late Edo period. (1750-1860s) The door was made of plaster, but the plaster came off. T...
Wood
Sold
H 21.26 in W 30.71 in D 10.44 in
Japanese Antique Buddha's House'zushi' 1800s-1900s/Object Wabisabi Art Figurine
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A unique culture of Japan. It is a Buddha's house. It is an item from the Edo period. There is beauty in a simple structure. And this is black and beautiful. Why is it black? ...
Cedar