(from Field Museum of Natural History Bulletin, June 1988, "Traditions in Japanese Art: The Boone Collection," by Suzanne Arata and Carolyn Moore, pg. 26 )
"The most readily recognizable from of traditional Japanese furniture for Westerners is the tansu, a chest of drawers with metal fittings. Long admired by collectors for their simplicity, beauty of design, craftsmanship, and functional value, they are made in varying sizes and shapes, and fashioned of costly woods. Tansu have been used since the 17th century in homes, shops, and ships to hold personal belongings, merchandise, and valuables. This small chest appears to be one used in the home for personal belongings, with the larger bottom drawer and side door provided with locks; it is elaborately decorated with metalwork of a peony motif."