{"product_id":"antique-japanese-isho-dansu-chest-m1002","title":"Japanese Isho Yaro Dansu From Yonezawa - Taisho Era","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis exquisite Japanese \u003cstrong\u003eIsho Yaro Dansu\u003c\/strong\u003e originates from \u003cstrong\u003eYonezawa in Yamagata prefecture\u003c\/strong\u003e and was originally made in 1912. This tansu has a drawer with the original year of construction and a further date of restoration. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally isho yaro dansu were used by merchants to store clothing and personal effects. Yonezawa isho yaro dansu were considerably less common than kasane dansu (stacking chests). Constructed from sugi (cryptomeria) wood with zelkova (red elm) drawer fronts and a wiped lacquered finish, this chest exemplifies the fine craftsmanship and regional design cues of northern Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hand-forged ironwork depicts intricate motifs - Round butterfly lock plates with \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehakudo \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e(copper and tin compound) rims, sand cast \u003cem\u003emokko \u003c\/em\u003e(melon vine) drawer pulls against backplates cut and engraved as pine boughs and tea seedpod motifs in the drawer corners. Butterflies were a popular depiction on Yamagata tansu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underside of one of the drawers is annotated: \"昭和四拾年七月三十日 - 大正元年製  -  昭和四拾年八月改調\" (\u003cem\u003etranslated as \"Made Taisho year 1 (1912) - Restored Showa year 40 (1965), August.\"\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis chest is more compact than most Japanese tansu chests. Unusually practical for Asian furniture with a hinged lockbox on the right -originally intended for safeguarding valuables - which adds both visual interest and practical security. Carefully restored, this dansu retains its authentic character while offering versatile storage and display potential in contemporary interiors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yonezawa in Yamagata prefecture, Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early 20th Century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eSugi \u003c\/em\u003e(cryptomeria) frame and drawers \u0026amp; \u003cem\u003ezelkova \u003c\/em\u003e(red elm) drawer fronts. Hand-forged iron hardware\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Traditional Isho yaro dansu form with large drawers, side lockbox\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Antique condition with age-appropriate wear and restored finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e W104 x D46 x H89 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReferences: \u003c\/strong\u003eThis tansu is similar to near identical to plate 161 of \u003cem\u003eTansu: Traditional Japanese Cabinetry\u003c\/em\u003e by Heineken. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"BinderKing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53551121400117,"sku":"M1002","price":1987.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/5243\/2181\/files\/Antique_Japanese_Isho_Dansu_Chest_Of_Drawers_With_Mokko_Drawer_Pulls.jpg?v=1789233157","url":"https:\/\/binderking.shop\/products\/antique-japanese-isho-dansu-chest-m1002","provider":"BinderKing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}