Antique Kuruma Dansu: Wooden Wheeled Storage Chest

A rare kuruma dansu, wooden wheeled storage chest, chestnut…
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A rare kuruma dansu, wooden wheeled storage chest, chestnut frame and front, paulownia drawer lining and cedar panelling, it has a small secret locking compartment. Made in the Edo period, first half of the 19th century. Historical minor borer damage. Once a status symbol of merchant families, these chests made to store household valuables were made with wheels so that they could be moved in case of disaster or fire. During the great Kanto earthquake in the early 19th century thousands of kuruma dansu were pulled into the streets of old Edo creating the first recorded traffic jam in history. For a brief time kuruma were banned in three cities (Edo, Osaka, Kyoto) within city limits.

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  • Edo Period, Japan - The Edo period in Japan lasted from 1603 to 1868. During this time, Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate, a military government led by the Tokugawa family. The Edo period is characterized by a period of relative peace, stability, and economic growth, as well as by the development of a distinctive culture and society.

    During the Edo period, the capital of Japan was moved from Kyoto to Edo (modern-day Tokyo), and the country became increasingly isolated from the rest of the world. The shogunate implemented strict policies to maintain control, including the restriction of foreign trade and travel. However, despite this isolation, the Edo period saw significant cultural and artistic development, including the emergence of the ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition, the growth of Kabuki theater, and the flourishing of a vibrant merchant culture.

    The Edo period ended with the Meiji Restoration of 1868, which saw the collapse of the shogunate and the restoration of imperial rule.

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