Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Nov 18, 2008 04:22am | #1

   I've been delaying my response to your question because I know that Fine Woodworking doesn't have any plans for a true Tansu in the archive.

   Then I was browsing the website of Woodwork magazine and saw this headline in their current issue table of contents: Kaidan Dansu: The Traditional Japanese Step-Chest by David Jackson. I immediately thought of your question!

   It's hard to find copies of woodwork on the newsstand but I think you can get one through the Web site. It will probably get you started on making a go at one.

   http://www.woodwork-mag.com/toc.html

   Matt

1. 
   dmmmcdavis | Nov 19, 2008 02:24am | #2

   Thanks Matt.

   I also subscribe to Woodwork and will check it out.  It's possible I don't have the current  issue.  I do however think dansu and tansu might be different.  There was a picture of a step tansu in a somewhat recent issue of Fine Woodworking in the 'current work' section I think.

   Again, thanks for your help.

   Matt Davis

2. 
   Zreiser | May 12, 2011 05:30pm | #3

   Tansu vs. Dansu

   They are actually the same thing, simply different ways of writing slightly differing pronunciations.  Depending on which part of the islands they are from the word for 'chest' (tansu), can be pronounced with either the hard "T" sound, or, especially in a sentence with a preceding vowel sound, the softer "D" sound.  They are the same word though, and refer to the same thing.