Tansu   - The Crafty Carpentry with No Nails!  All with Skillful Joinery Art.

Tansu, or dansu is a synonymous term for the antique cabinetry of Japan. Immersed in a rich folk tradition which combined the skills of the wood joiner, the iron smith, and the lacquer artists. First Tansu creations were during the 17th century, to the break of 18th century, these home creativity became a great part of Japan. Tansu chests, storage boxes and cabinets are accepted by the cultural facets of the different communities.

Japanese Tansu carpentry were in the areas of :-  

• Clothing chests (isho-dansu), cupboards, safes, kitchen item placements.

• Storage chests and cabinets(mizuya-dansu).

• Staircase Chests (kaidan-dansu) designed to use as stairs.

• Sea Chests (funa-dansu).
  

• Medical and herbal storage compartments chests and cabinets(kusuri-dansu).

• Samurai swords safe keep cabinets(katana-dansu).

• Tools or books placement cupboards and cabinets (sho-dansu)

• Documents and Accounting books filing cabinets (choba-dansu). 

Tansu were stowed away in loft spaces or separate storage buildings called 'kura'. Tansu chests and cabinets are designed to keep the living spaces clutter free, neat and tidy. Larger pieces would be in the lavish residence. The exquisite craftmanship of the Tansu exhudes its finese in the Lounges of homes.

Tansu chests and cabinets were usually 'stand alone', in prone fire regions they are made for quick mobilty with the clever attachment of hidden wheels. Other Tansu chests were thoughtfully designed for medicine and other merchandise to be carried on the back of the peddler. The hardy and tardy Tansu sea chests were created to load and off load easily; and water tight when there was need to jump ship when required (Attacks or Adverse weather). Having such designs, helped the Tansu chests of the homes to be moved from storage to home several times a year and for special occasions. They were also strategically designed as a storage space cum staircase in a home or store.

 
The Japanese craftmen ingeniously contribute together their skills to produce especially the unique hidden compartment designs. The Tansu chests and cabinet maker selected woods for their individual qualities, including their weight, strength, stability, color, and grain. The woods most often used were kiri (paulownia), sugi (cryptomeria), kuri (Japanese chestnut), hinoki (Japanese cypress), ezo matsu (pine), and keyaki (zelkova). Respect was given to changes in humidity during the seasons, and the stresses of earthquakes, cyclones, and typhoons. These resulted in the joinery of the wooden buildings and cabinetry to be both strong and flexible.

Integrated into the design was the metal work of the tansu–including the drawer pulls, locks, bolts, hinges, and reinforcements such as the metal corners and T-bars. The metal work are both functional and decorative with elaborate detailed images.

The lacquer artist selected a protective finish which protects and brings our the natural fine beauty of the wood. It is the culmination of the skills of dedicated loyal craftsmen which is dwindling but is multiplying in value of the Tansu furniture that are bought for time in memorial. It's how this reason that Tansu chests and storage boxes are still popular and a fitting gift to newly weds to begin their own life's legacy. Tansu could be an idea to keep in mind for your next wedding occassion.