Antique Japanese Haribako Sewing Box, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-556-6

Japanese Haribako Sewing Box | Vintage Jewelry Box & Desktop Organizer, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-556-6

A handcrafted Early Showa haribako with a hinged lid compartment, multiple pull-out drawers, and removable interior trays -- a rare and fully functional piece of vintage Japanese craft.

A haribako is a traditional Japanese sewing box used to store needles, thread, thimbles, and other needlework essentials. This example dates to the Early Showa period (1927-1945), a time when Japanese domestic craft was at a high point and household items were built with an understated functional elegance. Constructed from a tightly grained hardwood -- likely sugi (cryptomeria) or a similar straight-grained domestic timber -- the exterior is finished in a warm reddish-brown lacquer that has deepened beautifully with age. The front face is arranged with multiple pull-out drawers in a stacked and offset layout, each fitted with a slim metal bar pull in an Art Deco-influenced silhouette. Above the drawers, a hinged lid opens to reveal a shallow interior compartment lined in red fabric, with removable wooden sub-trays for sorting small items. The joinery throughout is clean and precise, consistent with quality handcrafted Japanese antique furniture of the prewar era.

In a modern home, this haribako is far more versatile than its original purpose suggests. On a bedroom dresser or vanity, it makes an elegant jewelry box -- the lidded top tray is ideal for rings and earrings, while the pull-out drawers hold bracelets, watches, and accessories with ease. In a home office, it serves beautifully as a desktop organizer for stationery, small tools, or art supplies. Its warm lacquered wood tones and compact, architectural form suit Japandi style interiors and wabi-sabi aesthetic spaces equally well. It also makes a thoughtful and unique gift for collectors of Japanese antiques or as a housewarming gift for anyone who appreciates handcrafted vintage storage with real character.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Straight-grained hardwood (likely sugi or similar domestic timber), reddish-brown lacquer finish, red fabric lining, metal bar pulls
• Use: Haribako -- traditional Japanese sewing and needlework storage box
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or vanity organizer; desktop storage for a home office; decorative accent for Japandi or wabi-sabi style interiors
• Features: Hinged lid opening to a shallow fabric-lined compartment with removable wooden sub-trays; multiple pull-out drawers in a stacked and offset front layout; slim metal bar pulls with an Art Deco profile; clean dovetail-style joinery on drawer boxes; warm reddish-brown lacquered exterior
• Dimensions: 13"W x 8"D x 10 1/2"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition -- surface wear and light scratching consistent with age and use; all drawers slide smoothly; lid hinges intact; interior trays present and intact

A beautifully preserved piece of Japanese antique furniture -- this Early Showa haribako brings warmth, history, and handcrafted charm 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.