{"product_id":"early-19th-century-japanese-merchants-transport-chest","title":"Early 19th Century Japanese Cedar Merchant’s Travelling Trunk","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003eThis stunning, rustic, rectangular Japanese storage trunk—or \u003cem class=\"zhvwWe\"\u003etansu\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rQesXe MPyX\"\u003e—dates back to the early 19th century.\u003c\/span\u003e Born out of the economic boom of the late Edo period (1603–1867), these utilitarian pieces prioritised rugged durability over decorative luxury to help merchants manage, store, and transport their inventory. This piece is crafted from Japanese cedar wood (\u003cem class=\"zhvwWe\"\u003esugi\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e), a material favoured for its lightweight frame and natural weather resistance. It features a sturdy, plank-built rectangular body with straight, vertical sides and a thick, flat lid secured by internal hinges. The front lip is detailed with a large, distinctive circular iron faceplate and a dropped vertical loop mechanism designed for a traditional padlock. Below, the front face features prominent, hand-painted black calligraphy characters, which traditionally indicated a family name, merchant guild, or shipping destination. Decades of historic use have given the wood a beautifully aged, honey-brown patina, complete with natural wood parting lines, noticeable scuffs, and soft, rounded edges. Combining rich history with practical function, this versatile antique would make a striking focal coffee table or an entryway storage bench in any modern home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe dimensions are as follows: H: 66.5cm - W: 55.5cm - L: 82cm \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFree Shipping with orders over £35 for UK mainland \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThank you for looking and please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apeman Interiors","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56417864286587,"sku":"ITEM-3114","price":345.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0026\/3215\/5254\/files\/early-19th-century-japanese-cedar-merchants-travelling-trunk-apeman-interiors_14.jpg?v=1789657764","url":"https:\/\/apemaninteriors.co.uk\/products\/early-19th-century-japanese-merchants-transport-chest","provider":"Apeman Interiors","version":"1.0","type":"link"}