Description

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) in a rare two section design made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with full moon style locking plates and Warabite handles. Two sliding doors open to a storage area where merchant books and business records were kept. Recessed side handles on the tops of each section.

Merchant chests provided two important key elements for the store owner. The first was its functionality as a chest to consolidate the shop records, books, receipts and bills as well as the writing tools that were needed. It also functioned as a money safe to store coins, bills and valuables. The second important role was a way to advertise and convey to customers who saw the chest that the business was very successful and it would continue for generations to come.

Age: Late Meiji Era (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 36″ Wide by 45″ High by 16 1/2″ Deep