Japanese Edo Era Antique 200 Yr Old Zelkova Woodtansu Funedansu Ship's Chest

This is a very special 200 + year old antique Japanese Funedansu   made of keyaki (zelkova) wood exterior with kiri   (paulownia) wood interiors.     This chest shows a high degree of Japanese craftsmanship in the joinery, being made with hardened hinoki peg and dovetailed construction (see last picture).  It has six interior drawers of various sizes custom made to hold valuables and documents (see pictures  9 & 11).  When the lower left locking drawer is removed it reveals a space behind the two lower right side drawers that houses a hidden drawer (see picture 10).  

The style of this document chest as well as the method of construction and all the thick forged iron metal work on this chest dates it to the mid Edo era (1780).  All drawer handles, hinges, and latches are made of forged iron with a protective coat of burnt lacquer. This chest was used to hold accounting books as well as money and valuable documents. 

On the bottom there is Japanese writing which I believe to be the first owner of this chest 200 + years ago (see picture 6).

The top handle is still very secure and provides a convenient way to transport this chest   (see pictures 3 and others).   All drawers open and close smoothly and the three hinged front door swings open and closed easily.  The locks  seen in pictures 7, 8, & 9 are operable locks with an included key.  

  The original finish on the keyaki wood exterior is a persimmon tannin stain with several coats of kijiro (natural Japanese lacquer).  It has been well used yet well loved, and its original two century old finish has a warm aged patina.   This ships chest remains in very fine original condition.