Tansu

Tansu (Japanese箪 笥, dt " chest, dresser, closet "). It is a traditional Japanese antique furniture piece of lightweight wood. Characteristic of this are ornate metal fittings and locks with floral patterns or ornamentation and an asymmetrical layout.

History and Purpose

Most antique Tansu were transportable, either worn on shoulder poles with handles or rolled on built-in wooden wheels. In large - Kuruma Tansu ( "rolling chests " ) wealthy families kept on most of their possessions. In the Edo period (1603-1868) used nobles and samurai Tansu to represent their outstanding status. Some camped books and swords in it ( Katana Tansu ), other Teaware ( Cha Tansu ) and medicinal herbs ( Kusuri - Tansu ) or business books. Many Tansu served with its deep drawers for storage of special sweeping ceremony clothing ( Isho Tansu - ). In families make a Kiri tree ( paulownia ) was planted at the birth of a daughter. From its fast-growing wood a Tansu was made ​​on the occasion of their wedding, which represented the state of their family and where they sent their possessions to the family of the husband. Merchants and sailors adapted the chests to store their records ( Choba - Tansu ). To protect this treasure chests on their travels, the vulnerable areas were shod with iron - a stylistic device that became widespread: To impress clients and visitors, the chests were getting more and more elaborate ornaments. Tansu kitchenware and cutlery ( Mizuya - Tansu ) and Kaidan Tansu (so-called " stair cupboards " to climb up on the roof ) were more consistent use tick.

Materials / Craft

A traditional Tansu was born from the collaboration of three craftsmen: carpenters, painters and blacksmith. The carpenter was in charge of the entire process and the responsibility for the selection of the wood: consistently were paulownia ( kiri ), Japanese cedar ( sugi ) and zelkova ( keyaki ). The use of plywood was unthinkable and the chests reported very few seams. Japanese cedar and paulownia were processed for the housing and the drawers, and also used as a front timber. The scent of Japanese cedar repels moths and the lightweight paulownia wood adapts its fuel flexibility inherent to the Japanese peculiarities such as the Humidität and the ever- looming threat of an earthquake without bursting. With very beautiful and representative chests zelkova wood also was used with flame-like wood fibers and a glowing orange -brown color for drawer fronts and front views. The painters finished with a transparent coating of natural ingredients, the Urushi the surface. The interior was usually untreated. The blacksmith made ​​of black iron fittings and locks, which reinforced next to a reinforcement and also the aesthetic effect.

Regional styles

Tansu were produced in many regions of Japan and used. Larger cities, trading places and governmental districts developed their own distinctive style. Most Tansu from a region similar to, for example, what concerns the design of the fittings or the drawer arrangement. Choice of wood and finish can also be significant regionally.

Swell

• Ty Heineken, Kiyoko Heineken: Tansu. Traditional Japanese cabinetry. Weatherhill, Trumbull CT 2004, ISBN 0-8348-0548-0.

• Cabinet
• Culture ( Japan)