Vintage Japanese Haribako Sewing Chest, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26M-934

Vintage Japanese Haribako Sewing Chest, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26M-934

A warm-toned sugi wood sewing chest with a woven igusa tatami top -- compact, charming, and full of everyday Japanese craft history.

A haribako is a traditional Japanese sewing box used to store needles, thread, scissors, and small notions within easy reach during daily mending and needlework. This Late Showa example is built from richly grained sugi (Japanese cedar), its honey-red lacquer finish deepened beautifully with age. The case holds multiple pull-out drawers, each fitted with a carved scallop finger pull -- a clean, hardware-free detail that is characteristic of mid-century Japanese domestic craft. The body is flanked by cut-out side handles for easy carrying, and the entire piece rests on small bracket feet. Most distinctive is the top surface, inset with a panel of woven igusa (rush grass) edged in a dark brocade fabric printed with gold mon medallions -- a quietly elegant nod to traditional tatami culture that sets this piece apart from plain wooden boxes.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese sewing chest makes a beautiful jewelry box or bedside organizer -- the multiple drawers are perfectly sized for rings, earrings, watches, and small accessories. Set it on a home office desk as a stylish stationery and craft supply organizer, or display it on a bathroom shelf to hold cosmetics and skincare essentials. Its warm cedar tones and wabi-sabi aesthetic integrate naturally into Japandi style interiors, and the tatami-topped lid doubles as a small display surface for a candle or bud vase. A thoughtful housewarming gift or unique gift for collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Sugi (Japanese cedar) with lacquer finish; igusa (rush grass) tatami top panel with brocade border; light wood drawer interiors
• Use: Haribako -- a portable sewing and needlework storage chest for household use
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or bedside organizer; home office desk storage for stationery and craft supplies; bathroom shelf organizer for cosmetics
• Features: Multiple pull-out drawers with carved scallop finger pulls; cut-out side carrying handles; igusa tatami top inset with gold mon brocade border; small bracket feet; hardware-free construction
• Dimensions: 9"W x15 1/2"D x 12"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition; some chipping to the finger pull of one drawer visible; overall structure sound with rich patina throughout

A charming piece of vintage Japanese craft furniture that brings the warmth of Showa-era daily life 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 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.