Antique Japanese Chokin Bako Merchant Safe Box, Taisho 1912-1926 | SKU: 26J-0272

Antique Japanese Chokin Bako Merchant Safe Box, Taisho 1912-1926 | SKU: 26J-0272

An iron-clad antique Japanese merchant safe box with a lockable front door, interior sliding drawers, and bold red painted markings -- a rare survivor of Taisho-era merchant culture.

A chokin bako is a traditional Japanese merchant safe or strongbox used to secure cash, documents, and valuables in shops and trading houses during the Meiji and Taisho periods. This exceptional example is constructed from lacquered wood encased in hand-forged iron hardware -- corner brackets, edge straps, hinges, and a substantial lock plate -- all fixed with iron rivets in the manner of classic Japanese antique furniture made to endure. The front door swings open on iron hinges to reveal multiple sliding wooden drawers, each fitted with a small finger-pull notch and marked with bold red painted characters that served as ordering or inventory identifiers for the merchant's stock. Cast iron D-ring carrying handles on the sides allowed the box to be moved securely, a practical feature of the chokin bako form. The deep black lacquer finish, now richly patinated with over a century of age, and the surface rust blooming on the iron fittings together embody the wabi-sabi aesthetic at its most authentic.

Today this handcrafted Japanese safe box makes a commanding statement in a modern home. Use it as a living room accent piece atop a console or sideboard, letting its dark iron-clad form anchor a Japandi style vignette alongside ceramics or natural textiles. The interior drawers remain fully functional, making it equally practical as desktop storage for jewelry, small collectibles, or correspondence in a home office. Its compact footprint and extraordinary presence also make it a unique gift for collectors of Japanese antique furniture or for anyone drawn to wabi-sabi-inspired decor.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Black lacquered wood with hand-forged iron corner brackets, edge straps, hinges, lock plate, rivets, and D-ring carrying handles
• Use: Merchant safe box (chokin bako) -- secure storage of cash, documents, and valuables in a shop or trading house setting
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway decorative accent; home office desktop organizer for jewelry or small collectibles; display piece in a Japandi or wabi-sabi styled interior
• Features: Cube-form body with iron-clad edges and riveted corner brackets; single lockable front door with large iron lock plate and original key; cast iron D-ring side carrying handles; multiple interior sliding wooden drawers with finger-pull notches; red painted ordering marks on drawer fronts; interior drawer runner guides; deep black lacquer finish with rich aged patina throughout
• Dimensions: 9 1/2"W x 13"D x 11"H
• Condition: Good antique condition -- surface rust on iron fittings and wear to lacquer consistent with age; drawers slide freely; lock and key present.

A rare and striking piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this iron-clad chokin bako brings over a century of merchant history and wabi-sabi character into any modern home.

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 antique 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.