Funadansu: Antique Japanese Safes

Funadansu, literally translated as ship's chest, is the name given to the old Japanese safes from the Edo period (1603 to 1868). They were used by sailors as private safes to store and protect important documents such as passage certificates and valuables on ships. The inside of the funadansu was designed to be airtight so that it could float on water in an emergency. These sturdy, box-shaped constructions were also fitted with decorative metal fittings and a lock. They had handles so that they could be easily carried. 

They were particularly in high demand on the route of the Kitamaebune ships, which traveled annually from Edo (Tokyo) to Osaka and then along the Seto Inland Sea and the coast of the Sea of Japan to Hokkaido and back. At a time when overland transportation was extremely expensive and time-consuming, these merchant ships engaged in a flourishing trade of buying and selling goods. The kitamaebune became traveling trading companies that benefited many coastal towns. Specialties from all regions were sold to each other in this way. The province of Kaga, with Kanazawa as its capital, witnessed a particular boom as a result of this trade. 

A highlight of Tansu Furniture 

The owners of the Kitamaebune were among the richest businessmen of their time. The funadansu, whose metal doors are beautifully and lavishly decorated, bear witness to this wealth. They took up to a year to build. Their construction is representative of the craftsmanship of the Edo period and represents a high point in the production of Japanese tansu chests. However, funadansu were not only used on ships. Over time, they became part of the interior decoration of merchants' houses. Thus, funadansu even survived the decline of the kitamaebune at the end of the 19th century. With the advent of steamships and railroads, these merchant ships and their routes became obsolete. 

At Sato, we sell hand-picked original Funadansu from the Edo and Meiji periods, depending on availability. This attractive antique safe can be used to store documents or utensils, but also as a decorative piece of furniture. It adds a touch of uniqueness and history to any living space that will not go unnoticed.