Chest

This is a chest used to store various items such as documents, books, and clothes. The lid can open and close on a hinge, while on the front, a metal stick and a tap is attached to fit a lock. Chests for clothes and jewels used in the main bedroom are extravagantly decorated with lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, while chests for documents and official uniforms used in a guestroom are concisely made to show the natural beauty of the wood. Most are small enough to be placed on top of other furniture. Their names vary depending on the items contained within, e.g. document chests, book chests, dowry chests, and portrait chests, or named for the materials used, e.g. paulownia wood chest, relief decoration chests, bamboo chests, and shark-skin chests. They are mostly made from pine, paulownia, and sawleaf zelkova wood, and manufacturing methods seek to maintain the beauty of the wood grain, use black or red paint, or apply elaborate decorations using mother-of-pearl or sea turtle shell. Depending on usage, some have drawers inside to enhance the use of space. Large chests are attached with handles at the sides for portability. The chest shown here is one used to store wedding presents, and was decorated in black and red coloring. Inside the chest is a drawer divided into five sections, for the user to store ornamental hairpins and other accessories. The long stick with a flower decoration serves to prop up the lid when it opens.