Japan, Kuruma Tansu (wheeled chest), Edo period

Japanese karuma tansu (wheeled storage chest), from the Mikuni area of Japan, made of keyaki (elm), Kiri (Chestnut) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods
wood. Two drawers and a longer one below on top portion of chest are held in place by a locking bar. Bottom portion of chest has large open compartment covered by sliding panels with horizontal slats, wonderful original iron hardware.

These were used to store belongings and the wheels made them easy to move outside during house fires, which were very common in Japan where homes were made solely of wood. These storage pieces on wheels were banned in Japan in the 19th century. So many families would wheel their belonging into the street during a fire, the road would be impassable to the fire brigade.

Edo Period. Size: 120,5cm high. 127x 58cm