About Sendai Tansu (Sendai Chest of Drawers)
Sendai Tansu are traditional chests of drawers produced in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. Developed from the mid-Edo period against the backdrop of Sendai Castle's samurai culture, characterized by heavy and dignified chests combining high-quality zelkova wood with iron decorative metal fittings (handles, hinges, decorative hardware). The combination of 'iron fittings and zelkova wood' is synonymous with Sendai Tansu, with the contrast between elaborately forged iron fittings and the grain of the zelkova creating a unique beauty. Still produced today by Sendai craftsmen protecting traditional techniques, a representative traditional furniture piece of Tohoku.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
Materials
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 仙台箪笥工房（産地にご確認ください）