Antique Japanese Haribako Sewing Box, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-726-1

Japanese Haribako Sewing Box | Antique Jewelry Box & Desk Organizer, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-726-1

A boldly figured hardwood haribako with hinged lid, multiple drawers, and original metal hardware -- a rare survivor of Taisho-era domestic craft.

A haribako is a traditional Japanese sewing box used to store needles, thread, thimbles, and other needlework tools, and was a cherished fixture of the Japanese household from the Edo period onward. This handcrafted Japanese antique example dates to the Taisho era (1912-1926) and is constructed from a boldly figured hardwood -- likely keyaki (zelkova) -- whose dramatic, rippling grain sweeps across every panel in waves of amber and deep brown. The exterior is finished to a warm honey tone that has deepened beautifully with age, while the interior reveals a lift-top compartment lined in kiri (paulownia), fitted with a removable tray that includes a pin-cushion hole and small inner dividers. Below, multiple pull-out drawers provide further tiered storage, each fitted with cast metal hardware -- a bail-style pull on the larger drawers and a sculpted round knob on the smaller -- all retaining their original dark patina. The joinery is clean and precise, reflecting the high standard of vintage Japanese craft that defined quality domestic goods of the period.

Today this haribako transitions effortlessly into a modern home as a striking jewelry box, placing rings, earrings, and bracelets exactly where the original owner kept her needles and threads. On a bedroom dresser or vanity, it brings a wabi-sabi aesthetic and a quiet sense of history to everyday rituals. It works equally well as a home office desk organizer -- the tiered drawers corralling pens, paper clips, and small stationery -- or as a living room accent piece displayed alongside books and ceramics in a Japandi-style setting. Compact yet visually commanding, it makes a truly unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese antique furniture with a story to tell.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Boldly figured hardwood, possibly keyaki (zelkova); kiri (paulownia) interior tray; cast metal hardware
• Use: Haribako -- traditional Japanese sewing and needlework storage box
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or vanity organizer; home office desk organizer; decorative living room accent in a Japandi or wabi-sabi interior
• Features: Hinged lift-top lid revealing a fitted interior compartment with removable tray, pin-cushion hole, and inner dividers; multiple pull-out drawers below in a stepped arrangement; bail-style cast metal pulls on larger drawers; sculpted round knob on smaller drawer; all original hardware with aged dark patina; striking rippled grain throughout exterior panels
• Dimensions: 10"W x 6"D x7 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A masterpiece of Taisho-era Japanese antique craft -- the dramatic keyaki grain and thoughtful interior fittings make this haribako as beautiful to display as it is practical to use.

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.