OK, I just had to do a post on this piece since I wrote about Te-kagami (hand mirrors) earlier here. This type of furniture basically came about during the Meiji era. The style changed over time in the successive Taisho and Showa eras due to women’s dressing needs changing and the influx of western mirror imports. This piece is from the Meiji era as it’s holder is for the older style mirror as well as the cabinetry resembling traditional styles. Later Kyodai incorporated tall western style mirrors and exhibited much more decorative grained woods. Made out of Keyaki (Japanese Elm) and joined using hanken shiki (finger joints), with hirute (leech style) handles over incised toshi-zagane (backplates). Maybe not the most elaborate of pieces, but at least it’s a style that you dont see all to often, being overshadowed in the market by clothing and kitchen chests. All in all, an interesting tansu.

Related items for sale - hover mouse for more information