Antique Japanese Ko-bako Hikidashi Drawer, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-774-4

Japanese Ko-bako Hikidashi Drawer | Antique Jewelry Box & Desktop Organizer, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-774-4

A compact hikidashi drawer chest in richly figured kaba zaiku birch bark -- handcrafted Japanese antique storage at its most striking.

This is a small-scale version of the classic Japanese tansu chest, designed to sit on a desk, dresser, or low shelf rather than on the floor. This fine Early Showa example is covered in kaba zaiku -- a traditional Japanese craft technique in which strips of cherry birch bark are applied over a wooden core and burnished to a deep, swirling finish. The result is a surface of extraordinary visual depth: warm amber and dark chocolate tones ripple across every face of the chest, with the natural knots and grain of the bark creating patterns that no two pieces share. Each drawer is fitted with a cast metal drop-bail pull mounted on a fluted rosette boss, a hardware style typical of quality Japanese antique furniture from this period. The drawer interiors, visible in the open shots, reveal a clean, lighter-toned wood lining -- a pleasing contrast to the dark exterior. The overall form is compact and well-proportioned, with gently rounded base corners and tight joinery throughout.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese ko-tansu makes a stunning bedroom decor accent -- ideal as a jewelry box and small accessories organizer on a vanity or nightstand. Its compact footprint also suits a home office desktop, corralling stationery, business cards, or small tools with understated elegance. The warm, textured surface complements Japandi style and wabi-sabi aesthetic interiors beautifully, and its one-of-a-kind kaba zaiku finish makes it a truly unique gift for collectors or Japanophiles. Whether displayed as a functional storage piece or simply as a decorative object, it carries nearly a century of quiet craftsmanship.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Kaba zaiku (cherry birch bark veneer over hardwood core); cast metal drop-bail pulls with fluted rosette bosses
• Use: Small personal storage drawer (hikidashi); originally used to organize accessories, writing tools, or personal effects
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and accessories organizer on a vanity or nightstand; desktop organizer for a home office; decorative accent in a Japandi or wabi-sabi style living room
• Features: Kaba zaiku birch bark exterior with deeply figured amber and brown patterning; multiple hikidashi drawers in a stepped layout with a pair of smaller upper drawers above a wider lower drawer; cast metal drop-bail pulls with decorative fluted rosette mounts on each drawer; clean wood-lined drawer interiors; gently rounded base corners; tight traditional joinery throughout
• Dimensions: 11"W x 8"D x 8 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare example of kaba zaiku craft -- this Japanese antique ko-bako chest brings warmth, texture, and a century of quiet artistry to 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 vintage and 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.