A small Japanese chest - Kodansu

 A Japanese Kodansu - small chest
 
This is another small Japanese chest inspired by Kodansu - small table cabinets of the 18th/19th centuries.  As some of you will now from the Ko in its name, they were originally used to store items related to the Kōdō – the Japanese Incense Ceremony. They were always small, highly valued, and carefully decorated with the finest lacquer techniques, as were all things to do with Kodo.
 
I’ve made a few of these over the last few years and love making them. They are small, the largest measurement is just 6inch /150mm.  This one was more complicated to make as I decided to fit it with a domed top, and a smaller more complicated internal drawer arrangement. 

 

The chest is made from veneered plywood. The outside is veneered with Birds Eye Maple the inside with cherry.  Solid Cherry is also used for the five small internal drawers. 

 

They are joined with mitred and splined corners, with the bottoms fixed in a groove. One has a small lift-out tray. 

Traditional they were decorated with exquisite makie lacquer work, which I haven’t mastered.  So, I’ve again used Japanese makie phone stickers.  This time island scenes with flying cranes on the sides, and flowers on the back and the door, and also the drawer fronts. 

 

  

 

I can see me making more of these. There’re endless opportunities for different drawer layouts, and decoration on the outside. As with many Japanese box styles part of their joy is the surprise when you open them up and see whats inside. 

 

The hardware is from Ali Express.  Interestingly the hinges are handbag clasps with a few extra holes to take screws. I changed the original too blingie gold ones for bronze coloured. 

 

Thanks for looking.