Vintage Japanese Lacquer Fubako (Document Box), Marbled Tortoiseshell Negoro-Nuri-Style, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26M-008-1

Vintage Japanese Lacquer Fubako (Document Box), Marbled Tortoiseshell Negoro-Nuri-Style, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26M-008-1

A richly marbled urushi-style lacquer box with a sliding lid -- an elegant survivor of Japan's Late Showa craft tradition.

A fubako is a traditional Japanese flat-lidded box originally used to store letters, documents, or calligraphy paper, and this vintage example is a striking showcase of negoro-nuri-inspired lacquerwork. The exterior is finished in a dramatic tortoiseshell pattern -- swirling pools of deep amber, black, forest green, and flashes of red and gold that shift with the light, achieved by layering and abrading multiple coats of lacquer over a wood core to reveal the colors beneath. The rounded corners and gently domed lid give the piece a soft, sculptural quality, while the fingertip notch cut into one end of the lid allows for easy, graceful opening. This handcrafted Japanese lacquer box represents the kind of refined everyday craft that flourished in regional lacquerware centers during the Late Showa period.

In a modern home, this versatile vintage Japanese craft piece adapts beautifully to a range of uses. On a bedroom dresser or vanity, it makes a sophisticated jewelry box -- its glossy black lacquered interior providing a striking contrast to rings, earrings, and small keepsakes. On a home office desk, it serves as a desk organizer for business cards, stationery, or writing tools, bringing a wabi-sabi aesthetic to your workspace. It also works beautifully as a living room accent piece displayed on a coffee table or shelf, and makes a unique housewarming gift for anyone drawn to Japandi style or vintage Japanese decor.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Wood core with multi-layer lacquer finish in a marbled tortoiseshell pattern; plain black lacquer interior
• Use: Fubako -- a flat document or letter box used to store correspondence, paper, or writing accessories
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or trinket storage on a bedroom dresser; desk organizer for business cards and stationery; decorative accent piece on a coffee table or shelf
• Features: Sliding flat lid with a fingertip notch cutout; richly marbled exterior lacquer in amber, black, green, and red tones; smooth gloss black lacquered interior; softly rounded corners and edges throughout
• Dimensions: 10"W x 8"D x 1 3/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A luminous piece of vintage Japanese lacquerware that brings centuries of craft tradition and the warm drama of hand-applied urushi-style finish into any modern interior.

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.