Vintage Japanese Pharmacy Drawer Box (Yakuhin Hako), Mid-Showa Era, 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0264-2

Vintage Japanese Pharmacy Drawer Box (Yakuhin Hako), Mid-Showa Era, 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0264-2

A rare vintage Japanese pharmacy drawer box bearing original trade labels -- a charming piece of mid-century Japanese commercial history.

A yakuhin hako is a small wooden storage box associated with the Japanese pharmaceutical trade, used to organize and transport medicines, records, or small goods at a local dispensary or distributor's office. This compact single-drawer example is constructed from plain unfinished wood with a warm, honey-toned grain -- likely a lightweight domestic hardwood -- and retains its original paper and printed labels on the drawer front. The labels reference "Inoue Seiyaku" (a pharmaceutical manufacturer) and "Okuno Yakuhin" (a medicine distributor), along with a Fuji-shi address and telephone number in a post-war area code format consistent with mid-Showa commercial use. Two circular "yaku" (medicine) stamps printed in a Mount Fuji motif add a graphic folk charm. A small round ventilation or cord hole is bored through each side panel, and the drawer slides cleanly on its wooden runners. This is a genuine piece of vintage Japanese craft -- utilitarian, honest, and full of quiet character.

Its compact footprint and pull-out drawer make this box surprisingly versatile in a modern home. On a home office desk, it works beautifully as a desk organizer for stationery, business cards, or small tools -- a natural fit for a minimalist decor or wabi-sabi aesthetic. It also makes a charming bedside organizer for jewelry, earbuds, or daily essentials, or a display prop for collectors of Japanese ephemera and vintage commercial objects. The aged wood patina and graphic black-and-gold label panel make it an instant conversation piece on a bookshelf or entryway console. A unique housewarming gift or gift for Japanophiles who appreciate the beauty of everyday objects.

• Origin: Japan (Fuji-shi, Shizuoka region)
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa) -- telephone number format consistent with post-war Showa era use
• Material: Plain unfinished wood, likely a lightweight domestic hardwood; metal ring pull
• Use: Storage and organization box associated with the Japanese pharmaceutical trade; used to hold medicines, documents, or small goods at a local distributor or dispensary
• Modern Use: Desktop organizer for stationery or small tools; bedside drawer for jewelry and daily essentials; collector display prop or bookshelf accent
• Features: Single pull-out drawer on wooden runners; original paper label reading "Okuno Yakuhin" with Fuji-shi address and telephone number; printed black-and-gold "Inoue Seiyaku" nameplate; two circular "yaku" medicine stamps in Mount Fuji motif; small round hole bored through each side panel; unfinished natural wood exterior
• Dimensions: 8 1/2"W x 9"D x 5"H
• Condition: Excellent

A one-of-a-kind piece of vintage Japanese commercial craft -- warm, graphic, and full of mid-century character for any modern home or office.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.