Antique Japanese Haribako Sewing Box, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-032

Japanese Haribako Sewing Box | Antique Jewelry Box & Desktop Organizer, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-032

A boldly grained Taisho-era haribako with a hinged lid, multiple pull-out drawers, and richly figured hardwood surfaces -- a rare and beautiful example of vintage Japanese craft.

A haribako is a traditional Japanese sewing box used to store needles, thread, thimbles, and other small needlework tools close at hand during daily mending and weaving tasks. This handcrafted Japanese antique dates to the Taisho period (1912-1926), a brief but culturally rich era that blended Meiji-era refinement with early modernist sensibilities. The exterior is clad in a dramatically figured hardwood -- most likely kaki (persimmon) or a similarly boldly grained Japanese species -- displaying swirling, flame-like grain patterns that flow continuously across every surface. The hinged lift-top conceals a shallow interior compartment fitted with a removable divided tray and a perforated needle holder, while the front face presents multiple pull-out drawers in a staggered layout, each fitted with cast metal bail pulls, plus a small side compartment with a round knob. The construction throughout is precise and tight, reflecting the high standard of handcrafted Japanese woodworking of the period.

Today this haribako adapts beautifully to the modern home. On a bedroom vanity or dressing table it functions as an elegant jewelry box -- rings, earrings, and bracelets slip neatly into the divided tray, while longer necklaces and watches find a home in the deeper drawers below. On a home office desk it becomes a refined desktop organizer for stationery, USB drives, and small accessories, perfectly suited to a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic workspace. It also works wonderfully as a bedside table accent for storing everyday small items in living room or bedroom decor. A thoughtful housewarming gift or gift for collectors of Japanese antique furniture, this haribako is as functional as it is beautiful.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Boldly figured hardwood, possibly kaki (persimmon); cast metal hardware
• Use: Haribako -- traditional Japanese sewing and needlework storage box
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or vanity organizer; desktop stationery and accessory storage; bedside accent for small keepsakes
• Features: Hinged lift-top lid with recessed brass ring pulls; interior shallow compartment with removable divided tray and needle holder; multiple pull-out drawers in a staggered asymmetric layout; small side compartment with round knob; cast metal bail-style drawer pulls; continuous dramatic flame grain across all exterior panels
• Dimensions: 11 1/2"W x 7"D x 9"H
• Condition: Excellent

A superbly crafted piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this Taisho haribako brings warmth, history, and artful organization 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.