Nagoya began producing tansu approximately 420 years ago when craftsmen involved in building Nagoya Castle settled in the castle town and began making chests. Nagoya’s location near Gifu Prefecture provided convenient access to high-quality paulownia wood. Artisans favor the wood because of its beautiful grain, lack of warping, and resistance to heat and moisture. More than 130 steps are required to complete a Nagoya tansu, including lumbering, wood cutting, warping correction, processing, joinery, decoration, metal fittings, and finishing. Nagoya artisans often use nails made of hiba or a similar material. They polish the surface of the tansu using an uzukuri made of bundled karakaya roots colored with a mix of yashabushi liquid and abrasive powder, then apply wax to reveal the beauty of the wood grain. Nagoya tansu tend to be wider than those made in other areas of Japan and are known for their elegant appearance.