Isho-Dansu
(Chest of drawers to put clothes away)
It was mainly used to put kimonos and other clothes away. It was also more precious and more ornamental than the other furniture: the use of better wood, more lacquer ware finishing, or even gilding and mother-of pearl inlays can be found on some models. The pieces wholly made of paulownia wood are highly prized by the amateurs as well as some pieces coming from the Sendai area of which metalworks are real masterpieces.
It is usually found in 3 sizes:
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Small: with three or four large drawers and with sometimes a small door hiding drawers. They sometimes are divided into two parts with handles on the side for easier transportation.
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Medium: with several drawers of various sizes, a door hiding smaller drawers. They are always made of one piece and has also some handles on the side.
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Big: far more frequent in the South than in the North of Japan. It is commonly made of two parts, more rarely three, with handles on the side. It is has the same design than the medium size with, in addition, a part with sliding doors on the top. The finishing of these doors is quite often different than the rest of the piece which can be surprising at first.
The majority of pieces found in Japan nowadays date back to the second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.
ID Card
Name: |
Isho-dansu |
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Material: |
Front:
(most often) zelkova, paulownia, chestnut, cherry, cedar, cypress
or even persimmon wood |
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Dating: |
From18th century to early 20th. |
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Size: |
Length: |
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Origin: |
The whole Japan |
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Value: |
Big
: €2,200 to €4,500 |
Genuine / Fake ?
Today, only Sendai isho-dansu with heavy metalworks is copied. About 80% of those have been over restored (more than 15% of restoration): new Sendai metalwork added to a non Sendai tansu to make it look like one. Real Sendai (usually much deeper than other isho) are cut on the back to make them smaller (less deep) and more attractive. Or some are completely made with ancient wood and old or new metalwork.
Therefore, beware of sharp metalwork that have been made recently or which are very light. Beware of casted handles that have not been handmade and have been revarnished recently. Beware of holes due to iron nails that were concealed with woodpaste, as well as of inner planks that are varnished or, more often, lightly stained in brown or black.
Apart from Sendais, be careful about medium or little size isho-dansu. it could come from a bigger isho. In this case, check the finishing layer on the top of the furniture.
Other Pictures
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| Big size photo jpeg 134K |
Medium size photo jpeg 128 K |
Small size photo jpeg 100 K |
Sendai-Isho photo jpeg 89 K |