Nihonmatsu cabinet of drawers

Beautiful wooden Nihonmatsu 二本松 ishô’dansu 衣装箪笥 (cabinet of drawers) in two section. Fully restored, cleaned and waxed in a traditional fashion in Japan.

Made from indigenous wood types, like kiri (paulownia) wood for the drawer faces and hinoki cypress wood for the exterior. It is entirely finished in a soft brown hue.

The upper part is constructed with two large drawers. The lower part with two drawers of different size and a hinged door, opening to two more drawers. These smooth running drawers are very deep and have a lot of volume, for easy storage.

They are equipped with large iron lock plates topped by a design of the theme ‘The Three Friends of Winter’ 歳寒三友 (Saikan Sanyû) comprising a bamboo 竹 (take), a small pine tree 松 (matsu) and a blooming plum tree 梅 (ume). In the centre of the plate a pair of raised knobs formed like a chrysanthemum flower head菊 (kiku).

Flanked by wide sturdy iron ‘warabite’-shaped bail handles with matching escutcheons. Accompanied by protective plates shaped like pine trees and plum blossoms.

Each side is equipped a ‘pole-carrying’-handle for easy transport and “locking” the upper section to the lower part. These as well are accompanied by blossom-shaped protective plates.

It is in a very good completely restored condition with minimal traces of age. The restorations were carried out in Japan. Of high quality and with traditionally required materials. Please look at the photos for a condition reference. Two key included. They function in the old fashioned Japanese way, not very smooth.

Size:
Height 115.6 cm, Width 106 cm, Depth 45.3 cm.
Period: Japan – Meiji period (1868-1912).

These kind of cabinets originate from Nihonmatsu 二本松, which lies in the Fukushima Prefecture 福島県. Cabinets of this region are known for its large size and decorative lock plates with double locks.

Tansu (箪笥) are traditional Japanese mobile storage cabinets. There are many different types of cabinets; form-wise, but also for the storage of many specific objects, like katana, documents, kimono etc. Starting as first recorded in the Genroku era (1688–1704) of the Edo period (1603–1867), tansu gradually became a feature of Japanese culture and daily life. Both hard and softwoods were used by tansuya (tansu craftsmen), often in combination for a single chest. This way the chests were still light enough for transport, while also housing precious (more heavy) wood types, like keyaki. Also features such as side handles, and being built up from several parts facilitated mobility of such an ingenious piece of furniture.

When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity.