Antique Japanese Haribako Sewing and Storage Box, Taisho period (1912-1926) | SKU: 26M-719-3

Antique Japanese Haribako Sewing and Storage Box, Taisho period (1912-1926) | SKU: 26M-719-3

A boldly grained Taisho-era haribako with a hinged lid, multiple pull-out drawers, and a small side compartment -- a masterpiece of handcrafted Japanese antique storage.

A haribako is a traditional Japanese sewing and personal storage box, used by women to organize needles, thread, cosmetics, and small daily essentials. This example, dating to the Taisho period (1912-1926), is crafted from a boldly striped dark hardwood -- the dramatic linear grain strongly suggests kaki (persimmon) or a similarly figured Japanese hardwood -- with a lighter secondary wood lining the interior of each drawer. The exterior presents deep chocolate and amber tones rendered by a century of natural patina, and the overall joinery reflects the clean, precise craftsmanship associated with antique Japanese craft of the era. The hinged lid opens to reveal a fitted interior tray with subdivided compartments, while the front face offers multiple pull-out drawers fitted with slender brass bar pulls, alongside a smaller side compartment with a decorative round brass knob. The wabi-sabi aesthetic of the aged grain and oxidized hardware gives this piece an authenticity that no reproduction can replicate.

In a modern home, this striking haribako works beautifully as a jewelry box or bedroom decor accent on a vanity or dresser top -- its subdivided interior tray and graduated drawers are perfectly suited to rings, earrings, and small keepsakes. It also makes a distinguished home office storage piece, corralling pens, paper clips, SD cards, and other desk essentials with old-world elegance. Fans of Japandi style and minimalist decor will appreciate how naturally this piece anchors a shelf or side table, and it makes a truly unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors and Japanophiles who treasure one-of-a-kind antique Japanese furniture with genuine character.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Boldly grained hardwood exterior, possibly kaki (persimmon); lighter secondary wood drawer interiors; brass bar pulls and round brass knob hardware
• Use: Haribako -- traditional Japanese sewing and personal storage box
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or vanity organizer; home office desk storage; decorative bedroom or living room accent in Japandi or wabi-sabi style
• Features: Hinged top lid opening to a fitted interior tray with subdivided compartments; multiple pull-out drawers with brass bar pulls; one smaller side compartment with a decorative round brass knob; striking linear grain throughout exterior panels; lighter wood drawer linings; age-appropriate patina on all surfaces
• Dimensions: 11 1/2"W x 7"D x 9"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and collectible piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this Taisho haribako brings the quiet beauty of a century-old craft tradition 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 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.