Martin Burgoyne, Chobako (Furniture)

A Japanese ’tansu’, based on the sea chests used by seafarers working the trade routes around the coasts of Japan in the mid 1800s. Normally free standing, it has a Japanese 'tori' gate style stand. As with the originals it is made almost entirely from unfinished Paulownia, with a jarrah veneered outside and thick booked match jarrah burl doors, instead of the usual zelkova. The construction is Japanese style finger/comb joints secured with wooden nails. The whole chest is covered in a range of reinforcing metal strap work, with decorative escutcheons, and embossed metal plaques that would have added to the grandeur of the chest when taken ashore for trading. The range of false 'kendo' drop fit doors, and drawer fronts open onto eight drawer spaces, three of which have secret compartments/boxes. The drawer spaces hold a 'suzuri-bako' or writing box - top right, a strong box or 'zenibako' – middle bottom, and a range of drawers with trays, plus two boxes in boxes with 'sahsi-do' false fronts. The whole chest is secured with fifteen locks.

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