Kaidan Dansu

This design of “Tansu” refers to a joined wooden trunk, originating from Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1868). This furniture style became widespread as the standard of living changed and people desired to possess pieces of quality art and furniture to show their wealth. There are many other Tansu designs, but one that really intrigued me was the Kaidan Dansu.

Kaidan translates to “steps” and Dansu means “chest”. It began its manufacturing in northern Honshu, in the regions around Niigata, Yonezawa, Sendai and Iwate Prefecture. It is a 7-ft-tall, freestanding step chest that contains an asymmetrical combination of built-in storage compartments consisting of sliding doors and drawers. It also served as a staircase to reach the second level of shops and homes since they were constructed with great height and space similar to a loft. When used in Japanese shops, it contained goods and supplies. At home, it was used for storing household items.

Not only was it built for a functional purpose, it was also a way of hiding areas of a home to avoid taxation. Tax collectors calculated the amount of tax one had to pay based on the size of livable floor space in one’s home. There were modified versions of the step chest, such as those where pieces were made separately so that it could be moved and disassembled. Other designs could be moved as a whole and it served as a decorative piece of furniture in homes when tax collectors came. Thanks to this strategic furniture, the second floors of homes would not be discovered and the real function of it would remain hidden.

These step chests were made by skilled craftsman who built and customized them to owner's needs. They were made out of fine wood such as Hinoki (Japanese cypress), Keyaki (Japanese elm), Kuri (Japanese chestnut), Sugi (Japanese cedar) and Klri (Paulownia). The age, region and period in which it was built, can be determined by observing the thickness of the wood used, the metal work, configuration and the detail finishes.

This item fascinates me in that it has a seemingly simple purpose, however it can become a multipurpose, and multifunctional piece of furniture.

Wendy Chang