7 July 2024
Japanese Antiques Guide: 1. Furniture ‘Tansu’
Antique Furniture
Antique furniture possesses a depth and character that develop over the years. The design and structure of each piece reflect the lifestyle of its era. For antique furniture enthusiasts, the appeal lies in experiencing the philosophy and ambiance of the past, as each item embodies the historical background and context of its time.
Antique furniture has endured for over 100 years because it is crafted from high-quality materials and meticulously made with inherited techniques. Many pieces feature wood that is now rare or impossible to obtain, making them highly valuable.
Tansu (Cabinet / Chest of drawers)
Tansu (箪笥) are traditional Japanese storage cabinets, and they are essential for creating an authentic Japanese interior. The appeal of Tansu lies in their craftsmanship, use of high-quality materials, and beautiful, intricate details that cannot be reproduced in modern times, making each piece unique.
We understand that selecting the perfect piece from numerous options can be challenging. In this guide, we will clearly explain the different types of Tansu and their design backgrounds. Understanding the concepts of the furniture makes shopping more enjoyable and efficient. Use this guide to find your special Japanese furniture!
History of Tansu
Tansu are said to have first appeared in ‘Osaka (大坂)’ during the ‘Kanbun’ era (1661-1673) in the early ‘Edo’ period (1603-1868), with the first official record in the ‘Genroku’ era (1688-1704).
The defining feature of Tansu was their drawers, which allowed for efficient storage of large amounts of clothing and belongings, unlike earlier storage methods. After the economic growth of the ‘Genroku’ era, people’s possessions increased to the point where Tansu became necessary. However, Tansu required many materials and advanced techniques, making them expensive items. It was not until the end of the ‘Edo’ period that Tansu began to spread to the poorer common people.
In the following ‘Meiji’ period (1868-1912), Tansu became common furniture among the general public, primarily as wardrobe chests. As personal possessions, especially clothing, increased, so did the demand for household storage furniture. During this period, with the gradual disintegration of the rigid class structure of the ‘Edo’ period, distinctive regional characteristics in Tansu construction and design began to flourish.
Today, Tansu remaining from the ‘Edo’ period are scarce. Even those made from the ‘Meiji’ period onwards are increasing the rarity and the value, as it is now difficult to gather the same materials and recreate them using traditional processes.
Types of Tansu
Tansu are categorized into various types based on their intended use. While chests for clothing and tableware are the most prevalent, Tansu of diverse sizes and shapes have been crafted to accommodate specific contents. These include chests for personal belongings, ledger storage, herbal medicine in pharmacies, and storage for samurai swords.
Certain types of Tansu would need to be portable, consistent with traditional Japanese interior design, which featured a number of movable partitions, allowing for the creation of various sizes of rooms within a household. Mobility was obtained through the use of attached wheels, iron carry handles or protruding structural upper rails for lifting.
Choba Tansu (帳場箪笥) – Merchant Chest
These chests were utilized by merchants in the “choba,” a raised platform area of a shop, to store account books and related business materials. Available in various sizes, they typically featured a single section with numerous compartments and diverse interior configurations. When visible to customers, the face wood and hardware were often of high quality to leave a positive impression. Many chests also included hidden compartments for storing valuable items, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of the time.
Mizuya Tansu (水屋箪笥) – Kitchen Cabinet
‘Mizuya’ Tansu was originally designed for kitchens, are renowned for their function in storing tableware and food. They flourished notably in the ‘Kansai’ region, including ‘Shiga’ and ‘Kyoto’ prefectures, and continue to be celebrated today for their exceptional quality. These ‘Mizuya Tansu’ were often crafted to symbolize wealth, reflecting their luxurious status in kitchens. Their impressive design also makes them ideal choices for store fixtures.
Kusuri Tansu (薬箪笥) – Apothecary Chest
Medicine chest-type furniture were originally used to store herbal medicines. Today, they are popular as furniture for organizing small items in modern interiors. The orderly arrangement of small drawers creates a neat and tidy atmosphere, which is one reason why they have many admirers. They come in a surprisingly wide range of sizes, from small to extra large, suitable for any space and purpose. Due to the need for portability by itinerant salesmen, ‘Kusuri Tansu’ were often crafted from lightweight materials like ‘kiri’ (paulownia) or ‘sugi’ (cedar), with minimal use of iron hardware.
Isho Tansu (衣装箪笥) – Costume Chest
‘Isho Tansu’ are wardrobe chests, as the name suggests, designed for storing clothes, garments, and accessories like belts. They come in a wide variety of designs, each region where they are made adding its own unique characteristics. It can be helpful to narrow down your search by considering the region of origin that aligns with your preferences. Additionally, even within the same design of Tansu, there are variations in sizes and drawer arrangements, so comparing different options while considering ease of use can be beneficial.
Kaidan Tansu (階段箪笥) – Staircase Chest
As the name suggests, a ‘Kaidan Tansu’ is a chest of drawers that combines storage features such as drawers and sliding doors, making effective use of the space under the stairs leading to the upper floor.
Originating in small townhouses in the ‘Kansai’ region, including ‘Kyoto’ and ‘Osaka’, during the early ‘Edo (1603-1868)’ period, these chests spread throughout the country and were often placed in prominent areas like living rooms and shop areas where guests were received. The clever combination of a staircase and a Tansu demonstrates the wisdom of our ancestors.
Most staircase chests have been demolished with old houses or during new constructions, making the few remaining ones valuable pieces of Japanese furniture history. Due to their large size, incorporating them into modern floor plans can be challenging. Many small decorative shelves on the market resemble these historic staircase chests but are not designed for actual use as stairs. Some of these chests date back to the ‘Meiji (1868-1912)’ and ‘Taisho (1912-1926)’ periods.
Kuruma Tansu (車箪笥) – Coffer on wheels
A ‘Isho Tansu’ or ‘Choba Tansu’ with wheels attached underneath is known as a ‘Kuruma Tansu.’ This type of Tansu was designed to be easily transported by a small number of people in case of a fire or other emergencies.
‘Kuruma Tansu’ are the oldest documented examples of Japanese mobile cabinetry. Diaries from a Dutch East India Company trade delegation to Nagasaki in March 1657 describe “big chests on four wheels that blocked the roads, preventing people from escaping the street fire.”
The interesting feature of ‘Kuruma Tansu’ is that the wheels elevate them, giving them a sence of modern feel reminiscent of furniture with legs. Additionally, the modest metal fittings allow them to blend seamlessly with contemporary interiors, making them highly popular items.
Cha Tansu (茶箪笥) – Tea Cabinet / Display Cabinet
‘Cha Tansu’ is a cabinet with shelves and drawers for storing tea utensils and tableware. Unlike other Tansu that have become rare over time, such as ‘Kuruma Tansu,’ ‘Kusuri Tansu,’ and ‘Kaidan Tansu,’ ‘Cha Tansu’ are still found in practical use in households today.
These chests feature openwork on the sides, lattice shelves, and curved designs, distinguishing them from other Tansu, which are typically linear, heavy, and sturdy. This is because ‘Cha Tansu’ were designed to emphasize both “display” and “storage.” Their unique storage spaces, such as staggered shelves, make them stylish and functional pieces that offer visible storage. Their modest size makes them suitable for a variety of settings. They can be used not only for tea utensils but also as a storage shelf for coffee or alcohol, and it is also recommended as a decorative shelf for displaying collections.
When choosing a Cha Tansu, look for one that embodies Japanese aesthetic sensibilities. In addition to the above features, some also include lacquer enamel and combinations of materials like bamboo, glass, and wickerwork.
Places of origin
‘Sendai (仙台)’ Tansu
‘Sendai’ Tansu was developed in the late Edo period (1603-1868) to create ‘Yaro Tansu,’ a chests for samurai, to store their swords. Zelkova and chestnut wood are often used. The pieces are distinguished by their elaborate iron ornamental metal fittings and lacquer finishes that enhance the wood grain. The lock fittings often feature auspicious motifs, such as phoenixes and Chinese lions, carved or embossed with intricate lines, giving them a strong presence. By using coatings like ‘Kijiro’ lacquer (satin vernish) to highlight the wood grain, these chests exude a powerful and elegant appearance.
‘Shonai (庄内)’ Tansu
‘Shonai,’ one of the three major production areas for ‘Huna Tansu (ship chests),’ has been producing high-quality Tansu in the cities of ‘Sakata (酒田)’ and ‘Tsuruoka (鶴岡).’ As a port town, Sakata produced Huna Tansu, as well as impressive Choba Tansu and Isho Tansu using the same techniques. The metal fittings, made of thick iron plates, are characterized by abstract hammered patterns. Sakata’s Isho Tansu feature thick iron fittings, such as locks and hinges sharply cut with chisels. The craftsmanship of hammered metal fittings and line engraving is highly advanced and meticulous, giving the lock fittings a remarkable three-dimensional effect unparalleled in the country.
Meanwhile, Tsuruoka produced many Isho Tansu with a black lacquer finish. The metal fittings are crafted three-dimensionally to make auspicious motifs like pine, bamboo, and plum stand out. These fittings are finished in a reddish hue, creating a striking contrast with the black lacquer.
‘Yonezawa (米沢)’ Tansu
‘Yonezawa’ Tansu are crafted from lacquered wood, such as zelkova, chestnut, paulownia, and cedar, featuring large, round, hand-hammered metal locks that make them both functional and beautiful. These Tansu are made for various purposes, including Isho Tansu (warderobe) Yonezawa Karato (wheel chests), Choba Tansu (accounting chests), Kaidan Tansu (stepped chests), and Mizuay Tansu (kitchen cabinet).
The Yonezawa region, known for its major textile production, produced many Isho Tansu. Stacked chests (‘kasane tansu’), whose upper and lower levels can be used separately, are particularly famous and were a standard part of a bride’s dowry.
The large, round metal fittings feature designs of swallowtail butterflies, cherry blossoms, ‘noshi (paper ribbons),’ jewels, and arabesque patterns.
‘Nihonmatsu (二本松)’ Tansu in Fukishima (福島)
‘Nihonmatsu’ Tansu has a long history, originating from the major castle renovations initiated by the 17th century. This tradition has continued for over 350 years. Nihonmatsu Tansu has developed uniquely compared to those made in other regions. Particularly distinctive is the keyhole cover on the lock, often adorned with charming details such as hawks, turtles, batterfly, and so on, which are a delight to the eye. Another notable feature is the prevalence of stacked chests of the same size on top and bottom, making them versatile for use as low-type chests when placed side by side.
‘Sado (佐渡)’ Tansu
‘Sado’ Island flourished as a port of call during the ‘Edo’ period (1603-1868). The development of logistics across the country brought wealth to the island, making it famous in later generations for producing luxurious Tansu.
Sado Tansu are divided into two main types: those from the ‘Ogi’ region, known for their heavy metal fittings, and those from the ‘Yawata’ region, known for their beautiful, delicate rectangular openwork metal fittings. The Ogi Tansu were often made as gifts for ‘geisha’ and are characterized by thick, large metal fittings and panels meticulously finished with dozens of coats of raw lacquer, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. The Yawata Tansu developed as dowry items and feature intricate designs that resemble works of art, making them a must-see.
‘Iwayadou (岩谷堂)’ Tansu – ‘Iwate (岩手)’ region
‘Iwayado’ Tansu are made in ‘Oshu’ City and ‘Morioka’ City, ‘Iwate’ Prefecture. Their origins date back to the 1100s when local rulers encouraged industry development. In the 1780s, the lord of Iwayado Castle sought to diversify the economy, which was primarily dependent on rice. He instructed his men to make Tansu, incl. wheeled Tansu, and research painting techniques. By the 1820s, engraved metal fittings were invented, becoming the prototype for the techniques of Iwayado Tansu that have been passed down to the present day. Iwayado Tansu are made from materials such as keyaki (zelkova) and paulownia, and feature sturdy, elegant hand-carved metal fittings. They are lockable fittings, serving a functional purpose as safes. There are two types of metal fittings: “hand-carved” and “mold-made.” Each Tansu is adorned with 60 to 100 beautifully embossed metal fittings, making it a classy piece of furniture. Iwayado Tansu are lacquered using two methods: “layered clear lacquer” and “stone-powder mixed lacquer,” both involving repeated coating and polishing processes. These lacquers enhance the wood grains’ beauty and develop a deeper texture over time.