Antique Japanese Ko Dansu Side Cabinet - Paulownia | Meiji

An antique Japanese ko dansu side cabinet. Made from kiri (paulownia) wood, with iron hardware. Meiji period, c.1880.

This cabinet presents a stacked arrangement of drawers in varying widths -- two full-width drawers at top and middle, two narrow drawers side by side, and a lower section with a single drawer alongside a small lockable compartment. The kiri wood has developed a deep amber patina over its century of age, and the iron bail and ring hardware shows authentic wear. Iron corner reinforcements frame the carcass. Well-suited as a bedside table or compact storage in a hallway or study.

Ko dansu were small household storage cabinets used in Japanese homes for personal items, documents, and valuables. Their compact form and mix of drawers and concealed compartments made them a versatile everyday fixture.