Katana dansu

[Aloof Pegasus]

like this;

 

http://page7.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g88234395

 

Clearly this one is in bad nick hence the price, however just wondering if any board members might own one/know anything about them?

 

I imagine that swords were kept in Ishodansu as well (lady of the house permitting).

 

I wonder if katana dansu were also stored in a separate fireproof outhouse?

 

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

Philip

[John A Stuart]

Here is mine and I like how handy it is for storage. It also helps keep humidity constant. Shipping was horrendous, but, less than my full size tansu. John

[Lorenzo]

Anyone knows what sort wood those are make of? I am interested in the aspect about keeping constant humidity; my house is almost an open space, all walls are very cold and produce a lot of nasty molds

[John A Stuart]

I think mine is made from Honoki. Japanese Magnolia. Regular tansu can have many different woods. John

[Nobody]

FYI; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tansu

[Aloof Pegasus]

Hi Lorenzo

 

Kiri seems the most popular for keeping dampness away and they also seem quite reasonably priced- well here in Japan anyway.

 

Different regions, different wood, different styles of locks. Sendai dansu were often made of Zelkova and so are expensive. Some have black urushi covering the grain but the single long lock in front which would probably be a bit irritating daily basis.

 

These black ones have great designs in metal of birds on the long lock and usually a tree relief on the lock box.

 

That's a nice one John btw. What about a pic of the big tansu?

 

Philip

[Lorenzo]

  Aloof Pegasus said:

What about a pic of the big tansu?

 

Yes please

 

Time ago I find this blog with lot of pictures of new produced tansu, worth a browse to see some pics.

http://www.tansu.jp/

[Aloof Pegasus]

If you like new ones there's this. They say there are only 2 traditional makers of Sendai tansu left in Japan.

 

These new ones can go to a million yen with hand made hardware. Cast is cheaper.

 

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/keyaki/c/0000000105

 

Philip

[John A Stuart]

Maybe mine is Kiri wood but, I thought not as soft.

Here is a snap of my larger tansu. John

[Aloof Pegasus]

Hi John

 

When you say 'larger" it's a bit of an understatement, ne.

 

Nice one.

 

Philip

[Eric H]

I like Tansu :D, they fit very well together with a modern ambiance. The first is Kiri wood, around 1900, from Yamagata area, the Kuruma Tansu is Keyaki wood.

Eric

[Aloof Pegasus]

Hi Eric

 

Those are 2 beauties. :D What was the original purpose of the wheeled one, do you know? And whats that small iron pin for, on the upper left lower front edge of the Yamagata one?

 

Philip

[cisco-san]

Does somebody have a picture of the inside of a katana tansu. Is the inside like a katana kake or does the sword just "lie" on the bottom (which I can´t imagine).

[Eric H]

Hi Philip, I have no idea about the original purpose of the Kuruma dansu. The iron pin is the bo, a vertical locking bar to lock the dexter panel.

Eric

[Bugyotsuji]

These katana tansu would have been relatively good at dealing with the atmosphere, but by no means perfect even when new. As they aged, they will have gained cracks and warps, losing the original close-to-hermetic seal. I would definitely recommend 'saving' one as most Japanese do not value them any more (well, no room for them) and someone should save the history, I feel. You can keep your swords inside wrapped up well, or keep them somewhere else, but as a stand-alone piece of furniture I love the ethos and the decorative aspect of these katana tansu.

 

Philip, that one looks in pretty good nick compared to some of the ones I've seen. I would guess that it has been restored, with some 'new' metalwork, and re-varnished. There are not a lot of them floating around, but they do pop up occasionally.

[Aloof Pegasus]

Piers

 

Remember when you posted that one of yours before. Love the interior. Couldn't agree more on the idea of saving one, let's see if anyone bids. I just bought a small Sendai black one with very ornate locks and lockbox decoration so...

 

I have a friend here who does urushi work. It might be a candidate.

 

Philip

[Justin]

I spotted this katana dansu in an antique store here in Australia. The price is very reasonable at A$650 (around US$565). I already have one so I didn't buy it. It didn't last very long ... I went back two weeks later and it had gone.

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Hmmm... either that has been in Australia for many years, or someone is able to get furniture fumigated at entry. I was under the impression that it was almost impossible to import wooden objects any more. Friends have had things confiscated and destroyed. Nice!

[Justin]

This particular store has hundreds of tansu and other wooden items. They receive regular shipments from Japan every month or so. I don't believe there is a problem getting wood into Australia - as long as it is declared and clear of nasty bugs, etc.

 

I have certainly not heard of anyone having their items destroyed. The Government might insist that something is treated (if it is contaminated), however that's the worst that I have heard of.

[Bugyotsuji]

  Justin said:

This particular store has hundreds of tansu and other wooden items. They receive regular shipments from Japan every month or so. I don't believe there is a problem getting wood into Australia - as long as it is declared and clear of nasty bugs, etc.

 

I have certainly not heard of anyone having their items destroyed. The Government might insist that something is treated (if it is contaminated), however that's the worst that I have heard of.

 

Great to hear. Many thanks.

[cisco-san]

I would be happy to own once such one, even if the condition is not the best