Trade furniture Tansu Japan 19th century

This little “tansu” (convenient in japanese); has 9 drawers. It is made of paulownia wood, an “imperial” tree in japan. It is from the meiji period, around 1850-80. Fittings highlight the edges, discs punctuate the facade. The fittings are painted black (oxidized - those at the bottom are eaten away (see photo). There are numerous scratches, shocks from use. The bottom was subsequently reinforced. The top is fitted with a strip of strong paper, to hide the space between two boards. It is nevertheless robust - it will need to be waxed.