The Japanese craftsmen also respect the variety of wood chosen for a tansu and seek to highlight the finest and most beautiful characteristics of each. Kiri wood, for example, is often used for clothing and small document tansu since it “breathes” more than others. Japanese hinoki and sugi woods are used for kitchen and choba tansu. The densest wood, keyaki, is most commonly used for drawer fronts, sliding doors, and writing desks.

With its unique and practical nature, a tansu is not limited to Japanese living. A tansu also enhances the beauty of western interior design.