A JAPANESE WIDE MIZUYA KITCHEN CABINET, MEIJI... Lot 111

A JAPANESE WIDE MIZUYA KITCHEN CABINET, MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912) Completely restored and well functioning wide mizuya kitchen cabinet, with nice all original warm patina. Made in typical Omi style - from Omi prefecture. The upper part has 2 sliding doors with lattice work executed with vertical rounded slats and 4 drawers. The front of the drawers and the lower part of the sliding doors are made of keyaki-zelkova hardwood. Behind the sliding doors 3 shelves. The frame is made of hinoki cypress wood. The lower part has 2 large sliding doors with lattice work executed with vertical rounded slats and 3 drawers. The front of the drawers and the lower part of the sliding doors are made of keyaki-zelkova hardwood. Behind the sliding doors 1 shelve. Made in two sections. All doors and drawers are smooth running and great for storage purpose. Height: 172cm; Width: 122 cm; Depth: 50.5 cm. When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity. Meiji period (1868-1912). Tansu (箪笥) are traditional Japanese mobile storage cabinets. There are many different types of cabinets; form-wise, but also for the storage of many specific objects, like katana, documents, kimono, kitchen ware etc. Starting as first recorded in the Genroku era (1688-1704) of the Edo period (1603-1867), tansu gradually became a feature of Japanese culture and daily life. Both hard and softwoods were used by tansuya (tansu craftsmen), often in combination for a single chest. This way the chests were still light enough for transport, while also housing precious (more heavy) wood types, like keyaki. Also features such as side handles, and being built up from several parts facilitated mobility of such an ingenious piece of furniture.