Antique Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-871 (26M-871-2)

Japanese Hikidashi Drawer Chest | Vintage Desk Organizer & Jewelry Box, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-871-2

A compact, portable ko bako with a sculpted carry handle and multiple hikidashi drawers -- handcrafted Japanese antique storage at its most charming.

A ko bako is a small-scale Japanese chest fitted with hikidashi -- pull-out drawers -- designed to keep everyday essentials neatly organized and easy to carry from room to room. This particular example, dating to the Early Showa period (1927-1945), is built from a boldly grained hardwood, likely keyaki (zelkova) or a similar Japanese hardwood, with secondary wood -- possibly sugi (cryptomeria) -- used for the drawer interiors and base panel. The arched carry handle, mounted between a pair of shaped side supports with scrolled ears, is the defining feature of this handcrafted Japanese antique and speaks to the era's blend of practicality and quiet elegance. The front presents a full-width upper drawer fitted with interior divider compartments for small items, and a lower tier of two side-by-side drawers, each operated by a small finger-pull cutout worked directly into the wood face -- a refined detail that avoids the need for metal hardware entirely. The base panel on the underside bears what appears to be a maker's ink mark, adding a layer of provenance to this piece of vintage Japanese craft.

In a modern home, this ko bako transitions effortlessly from its original role into a striking desk organizer -- ideal for corralling pens, stationery, and small office supplies on a home office desktop. The upper divided drawer is perfectly sized for jewelry, rings, and earrings, making it an equally beautiful bedroom decor accent on a vanity or dresser top. Its portable handle means it can travel between rooms as needed, doubling as a living room accent piece to hold remotes, incense, or small keepsakes. With its warm honey-brown tones and wabi-sabi aesthetic, it suits Japandi-style interiors as naturally as it does mid-century modern or minimalist decor schemes. A thoughtful and unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese antique furniture with genuine daily utility.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Boldly grained hardwood exterior, possibly keyaki (zelkova); lighter secondary wood -- possibly sugi (cryptomeria) -- for drawer interiors and base; no metal hardware
• Use: Portable personal storage chest (ko bako) with hikidashi drawers for organizing small daily essentials
• Modern Use: Desktop organizer or home office storage; jewelry box or vanity accent for bedroom decor; living room accent piece for remotes, incense, or small keepsakes
• Features: Arched sculpted carry handle with scrolled side supports; full-width upper drawer with interior divider compartments; lower tier of two side-by-side drawers with finger-pull cutouts; maker's ink mark on base; no metal hardware throughout
• Dimensions: 10 7/8"W x 5 3/4"D x 10 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully portable piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this ko bako brings warmth, craftsmanship, and the understated elegance of Early Showa Japan 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 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.