In 1988 bought my first Tansu from Garata Do Japanese antiques in Honolulu. My girlfriend at the time was of German ancestery. She was an artist. She liked Japanese antiques, so I bought it. It was dyed darker color maybe to cover up all the imperfections over 150 years of use. When bought it owner told me Edo period piece from early 1800's. Later I wanted to strip off the dye so asked how to do it he told me how & also told me how to keep the metal looking good. It's been holding my clothes for almost 35 years plenty space all these are large Tansu. Only nails are metal pieces all the cabinetry & drawers are put together with wooden pegs. I had to do some repair work on it. Some of pegs fell out of this 200 year old chest. Also coated the top with oil base
Arm-R-Seal. 5 coats fine steel wool between coats. Finished today. Top of chest has stuff put on it was looking ragged wanted to seal it. Rest of Tansu just use orange oil pledge on wood.
