Antique Japanese Sewing Box / Haribako (22J-128)

This is an antique Japanese sewing box called Hari Bako that was constructed out of Zelkova (keyaki) ,Paulownia (Kirinoki) and other woods.

Its age is from Late Meiji period (1890's-1910's) and it was originally used to store sewing accoutrements, spools of thread, a pin cushion with pins and other tools used by a seamtress or tailor.  Present day purposes would include using it as a jewelry box, a keepsake or small collectibles box, a stationary box on a desk or a cosmetics box on a dresser.