Description

Antique Japanese Kimono Bo Tansu from the Iwayado area of Northern Japan. Constructed of quarter sawn Toneriko (Tamo Ash) wood with striking grain and a translucent lacquer finish. The frame is made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood with an opaque wiped lacquer finish. Hardware is hand made all of iron and includes Warabite shaped drawer pulls with unusual raised Pine and Peach back plates. Lock plates are also raised and consist of various flowers including Peony (Botan), Magnolia (Ho) and Ivy with a Plum Blossom. There is a locking bar (Bo) over the two middle drawers with Bamboo ironwork. The appearance of the Pine, Bamboo, and Plum Blossom in the tansu’s hardware refers to the much loved theme, Shochikubai, The Three Felicitous Friends of Late Winter. This tansu has 6 exterior drawers and a safe box with a hinged door (with a key) over two small interior drawers.

Age: Edo Period (late 18th/early 19th century)

Dimensions: 32 1/2″ high x 40″ wide x 22″ deep