Sendai Tansu Chests [Sendai City, Miyagi]
An exquisite and iconic craft of Sendai
SendaiTansu,traditionalchestsofdrawers,arecraftedusingthreekeytechniques;"woodjoinery,""lacquerfinishing,"and"metalfittings"DatingbacktothelateEdoperiod,theywereoriginallymadeforsamuraitostoreswordsandceremonialattireOvertime,theiruseevolved,andtheirdurabilitymadethempopularasbridalfurnishings"SendaiTansu"aredistinguishedbytheirglossyKijironurilacquer,highlightingthebeautifulgrainofzelkovaandchestnutwood,andintricateironfittingsfeaturingauspiciousmotifslikelionsandpeonies,aswellasfamilycrestsMeticulouslyhandcrafted,thesechestsremainstructurallysoundevenafteracentury,andtheirelegantlacqueredfinishmakesthemprizedantiquefurnitureoverseasRecently,artisanshaveappliedSendaiTansutechniquestocreatecompactfurnituresuitedformodernhomes,aswellassmallchestswithredesigneddecorativemetalfittingsTheseinnovationshavegainedattentionbothinJapanandinternationally
