.tansu . japanese sendai tansu

Beautiful Sendai Tansu.

With Mokko forged handles, highly ornamental metal fittings. Carcass made from Japanese cedar, and draw fronts made form keyaki wood, finished in kijiro Urushi, over red stain. Eight drawers in all - ( 2 behind the small door) .This Sendai Isho Tansu, it a beautiful example of the Sendai style. If you have been looking for a Sendai tansu - you will know very rarely come up for sale.
As you can see it is in beautiful condition considering its age ( Late Meiji - Early Tashio ) I am very particular in the Tansu I source. What I can promise the buyer is - All our Tansu are ready for you to place into your home right away. So many of the Tansu I see for sale all need restoration - which I know is very expensive. All our Tansu have been waxed and polished, and if needed been restored to the highest standard.Size is -
W 109 cm (43”)
H. 94 cm (37”)
D. 44.5cm ( 17. 1/2” )In David Jackson’s book - “Japanese Cabinetry” page 182 - there is a near identical Tansu of the one I have for sale. ( see image) For those who not familiar with “Sendai” tansu - see below a little history on the development of these beautiful chests.
The design of todays Sendai Tansu was established around 1830 - !877. They are in fact know as as ‘Samurai” style tansu.
They originate when Masumune Date- a daimyo (lord) in the Sengoku period ( 1467- 1568) ordered the building of Aoba Castle, and the Sendai Tansu was an Item made for the daimyo.
At the end of the Edo period - Samurai in the Sendai domain, produced tansu to supplement their income and to store there Katanas and Wakizashi - and of course their ceremonial clothing- and valuable documents. It wasn’t until after the Meiji period that Sendai Tansu became popular - this was probably due to more ordinary people being able to afford these luxury items- and….no restrictions on what type of furniture you could or could not own. ( Samurai had restrictions on what style of furniture you could own.)
The making of a tansu such as this requires 3 different - Carpentry- with no nails or screws, Lacquerwork ( Urushi) to protect and bring out the beauty of the wood, and the metal worker who works on the intricate design of the metal and also the locks. As you can imagine - these Japanese chests were very expensive.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: V3XVKM69K

Materials:

wood.

Width (cm):

109

Height (cm):

94

Depth (cm):

44.5

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Japanese Tansu

I have been a Cabinetmaker and restorer of Antiques for over 30 years. I have a particular interest in Japanese furniture and Armour and Nihonto. The Tansu's I have on offer have all been lovingly restored where necessary so that you can enjoy them straight away in your own home. Many Tansus available elsewhere require restoration which sometimes costs more than the Tansu itself. Please free to contact me with any questions regarding the Tansus I have on offer.

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