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Meiji Era (1868–1912) Japanese Antique Low Table (Zataku) in Sugi Wood

Price:$750

$1,100List Price

About the Item

This Japanese low table (zataku) was crafted in the Meiji Era (1868–1912) from sugi (Japanese cedar) and finished with kakishibu (persimmon tannin combined with pine soot), creating a deep, warm brown tone that has softened beautifully over time. Its round, turned legs are an uncommon and visually distinctive detail in traditional zataku design, adding a sense of refinement and gentle presence. Two drawers are built into the frame on opposite sides, offering discreet storage for writing tools, tea utensils, or small personal items. The balance between the broad rectangular top and cylindrical legs reflects thoughtful Meiji-era craftsmanship, where utility and quiet beauty coexist naturally. Purposefully low in height, this table was designed for Japan’s floor-seated lifestyle with tatami and zabuton cushions. In modern interiors, it functions beautifully as a coffee table, meditation table, or display surface for ceramics, books, and objects. The natural patina and honest wear express the wabi-sabi character that develops only through age and long use. Condition Notes: - Structure is sound and stable with no wobble or structural issues - Kakishibu and pine soot finish shows age-related wear with areas of color loss, revealing the wood beneath - Surface has minor chips, scratches, and dents consistent with age - Due to natural shrinkage of the cedar top over many decades, the apron rail extends slightly beyond the tabletop edge—an age-related characteristic, not a defect - Both drawers open and close smoothly Cleaned and disinfected with a non-toxic solution. As an authentic Meiji-era piece, this table shows natural signs of age and use inherent to Japanese antique furniture. Characteristics such as finish wear, wood movement (including top shrinkage), surface marks, and structural aging are reflections of authenticity and history, not defects. Please review all photos carefully—condition details are visible in the images—and feel free to contact us with any questions before purchasing. Drawer interior dimensions (approximate): W: 22.9" (58.2 cm) / D: 11.4" (29 cm) / H: 2.0" (5 cm) Weight: 19.2 lbs (8.7 kg) Shipping Information: We ship from Japan. I will provide my own shipping quote. Please ask. Import duties, taxes, and customs fees are the responsibility of the buyer. Approach to Selection and Restoration Each piece is individually selected through our own eye, then restored to reveal its most compelling state. Movement, stability, and surface are considered as one—shaped through practice to be lived with naturally, honoring the wood’s natural patina while avoiding environmentally harsh chemical strippers or forceful abrasion.

Dimensions:
Height: 11.89 in (30.2 cm)Width: 34.89 in (88.6 cm)Depth: 29.34 in (74.5 cm)
Style:
Meiji (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Cedar,Woodwork
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
e.g. 1868–1912
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Cleaned. Structure stable. Kakishibu finish shows wear and color loss. Surface has chips, scratches, dents. Apron rail extends beyond edge from top shrinkage (age trait, not defect). Drawers smooth.
Seller Location:
Hitachiomiya-shi, JP
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU7430247737792

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