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step back in time

a short history of the step chest


The most recognizable piece of Japanese furniture is the Kaidan Tansu or Step Chest. It first appeared in the late 1700s in stores and homes with loft spaces.

The idea was simple - why not have a staircase that could actually act as storage space as well?

These giant pieces (usually about 7 ft. high) would be constructed by the local carpenter who would build it to the owner's specifications. The chests would usually consist of a combination of sliding doors and drawers and different-sized storage spaces.

Then the next clever idea was spawned. Since the government at the time taxed owners on their livable floor space, someone thought of making the step chest in pieces. This way, when the tax inspector came around, you would simply disassemble your staircase and claim that your loft was only storage and had no permanent access. This worked for a while until, predictably, that loophole was closed.

These antique step chests remain one of the most unique and collectible pieces of Japanese furniture. Because of this, prices remain very high and availability is limited. Following the original centuries-old Japanese design, we've combined sliding doors and drawers for varying storage needs.

All our Step Tansu are two-sided, so that when used as a room divider you can access the drawers and doors from either side. Most also consist of a main cabinet with two step pieces - making them easy to move and easy to set up in different ways.

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Truly Unique Furniture

Room Divider - With varied storage capacity on both sides and distinctive layouts with endless display possibilities, our Step Chests are perfect room dividers.
Adaptable - Each Step Chest is really three pieces, so you can play around with different configurations as the need or mood takes you.
Varied Storage - The combination of sliding doors and drawers in different configurations makes these Steps at home in almost any room.
Exclusive Design - Following the original centuries-old Japanese design, we've combined sliding doors and drawers for varying storage needs.
Reversable - All our Step Tansu are two-sided, so that when used as a room divider you can access the drawers and doors from either side of the piece.
Modular - Most also consist of a main cabinet with two step pieces - making them easy to move and easy to set up in different ways.

Elm Burl Step

$2200   $1760


 Joy Jones

$2800   $2240


 Haru Step

$3500   $2800


 Big Burl

$3900   $3120


 Stereo Step

$2800   $2240


 Tall / Short Step

$1150   $920


 CD Step

$625   $500


 Small Step

$495   $396


 Mini Step

$250   $200

 
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