Vintage Japanese Three-Drawer Document Chest, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-774-2

Vintage Japanese Three-Drawer Document Chest, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-774-2

A boldly lacquered pre-war document chest with striking vermilion finish and label-frame pulls -- a rare survivor of wartime Japanese office craft.

A kobako, or small chest of drawers, was a staple of Japanese offices, workshops, and merchant establishments during the early Showa era. This compact, sturdy example features multiple pull-out drawers unified beneath a rich, deep-red lacquer finish -- a color that evokes the vermilion of traditional Japanese architecture and Shinto shrines. Each drawer is fitted with a bar pull and a recessed label-frame insert, a hallmark of Japanese vintage office furniture from the 1927-1945 period when Western organizational methods were being adapted into handcrafted Japanese form. The solid wood carcass, likely constructed from a light domestic softwood, is jointed cleanly and finished uniformly inside and out, reflecting the no-nonsense craftsmanship of pre-war Japanese workshop furniture.

This vintage Japanese drawer cabinet translates effortlessly into a modern home or creative studio. Use it as a compact desktop organizer on a home office desk, keeping stationery, art supplies, or small tools neatly sorted. Its vivid red lacquer makes an equally strong statement as a bedside table accent -- a unique gift for collectors of Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic decor. It also works beautifully as a living room accent piece, displaying small objects on its flat top while storing remotes, candles, or keepsakes in its drawers. The warm vermilion hue pairs naturally with natural linen, dark timber, and brushed metal in contemporary interiors.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Solid wood with deep-red lacquer finish; wooden bar pulls and metal label-frame hardware
• Use: Desktop document and supply storage in office or workshop settings
• Modern Use: Desktop organizer or home office storage; bedside table accent; living room decorative accent with functional drawer storage
• Features: Multiple pull-out drawers each fitted with a wooden bar pull and a recessed metal label-frame insert; uniform vermilion lacquer finish inside and out; flat top surface suitable for display; low plinth base
• Dimensions: 12"W x 12 1/2"D x 11"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition -- light surface scuffs and minor paint wear consistent with age; drawers slide smoothly; structure solid throughout

A vivid piece of vintage Japanese craft furniture that brings bold color, history, and practical storage to any modern home or creative workspace.

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.