Antique Japanese Haribako Sewing Box, Taisho, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-719-2

Antique Japanese Haribako Sewing Box, Taisho, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-719-2

A boldly grained Taisho-era haribako with a hinged lid, multiple pull-out drawers, and spectacular figured wood -- a rare find in Japanese antique craft.

A haribako is a traditional Japanese sewing box used to store needles, thread, thimbles, and small notions close at hand for daily mending and needlework. This handcrafted Japanese antique dates to the Taisho period (1912-1926), an era that prized fine woodwork and elevated domestic objects to the level of art. The body is constructed from a boldly figured hardwood -- most likely kaki (persimmon) or keyaki (zelkova) -- whose wild, swirling grain pattern reads almost like brushed ink across every panel. The exterior is finished to a warm amber tone that has deepened beautifully over a century of use. The hinged lid opens to reveal a divided interior tray with a small lift-out panel, while the front face presents multiple pull-out drawers in a staggered layout, each fitted with a slender cast metal bar pull. The secondary wood used for drawer interiors and structural framing is a lighter-toned softwood, a classic combination seen in quality Japanese antique furniture of this period.

Today this antique Japanese haribako translates effortlessly into modern interiors. On a bedroom dresser it makes an exceptional jewelry box and accessory organizer, with the varied drawer sizes perfectly suited to rings, bracelets, earrings, and watches. On a home office desk it serves as a characterful desktop organizer for stationery, cards, and small supplies -- a striking alternative to generic desk caddies. It also works beautifully as a living room accent piece in a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic setting, displayed on a shelf or low table alongside other collected objects. Its compact footprint and extraordinary grain make it a genuine conversation piece and a thoughtful gift for collectors or Japanophiles who appreciate handcrafted Japanese antiques with a century of quiet history.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Taisho, 1912-1926
• Material: Boldly figured hardwood, possibly kaki (persimmon) or keyaki (zelkova); lighter softwood secondary framing; cast metal bar pulls
• Use: Haribako -- traditional Japanese sewing and notions box
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and accessory organizer; home office desktop organizer; decorative accent for Japandi or wabi-sabi styled interiors
• Features: Hinged lift-top lid with metal clasp hardware; divided interior tray with lift-out panel; multiple pull-out drawers in a staggered front layout; each drawer fitted with a cast metal bar pull; spectacular swirling figured grain across all exterior panels
• Dimensions: 11 1/2"W x 7"D x 9"H
• Condition: Excellent

A century-old piece of handcrafted Japanese antique furniture whose extraordinary grain and ingenious storage make it equally at home in a curated modern interior as it was in a Taisho-era household.

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 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.