Vintage Japanese Wood Veneer Personal Storage Box with Drawers, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-777-2

Vintage Japanese Wood Veneer Personal Storage Box with Drawers, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-777-2

A boldly grained Art Deco personal storage box from prewar Japan -- combining striking veneer work with a thoughtfully compartmentalized interior.

A hakodate, or personal keepsake box, is a traditional Japanese storage chest designed to hold small valuables, grooming tools, writing instruments, and accessories close at hand. This handcrafted Japanese vintage dates to the Early Showa period, a time when Western Art Deco aesthetics were being absorbed into Japanese craft. The exterior is wrapped in a richly striped dark wood veneer -- possibly kaki (persimmon) or a similarly bold-grained hardwood -- with tight, linear figuring that catches the light beautifully. The front face is clean and architectural, with a pair of pull-out drawers each fitted with a rectangular bar pull in dark metal, reflecting the restrained modernist sensibility of the era. The body is constructed over a secondary wood carcass, visible on the sides and interior, giving the piece its sturdy form.

Today this vintage Japanese storage box adapts effortlessly into a modern home. On a bedroom dresser it serves as a jewelry box and watch organizer -- the hinged lid opens to reveal a fitted interior tray with scalloped slots and divided compartments ideal for rings, earrings, and small accessories, while the pull-out drawers below offer additional bedroom decor storage for cufflinks, folded scarves, or keepsakes. On a home office desk it makes a distinguished desktop organizer for stationery and small tools. Its bold striped veneer and geometric metal pulls speak equally to fans of Japandi style, mid-century modern interiors, and wabi-sabi aesthetic sensibilities. A unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Boldly striped dark wood veneer exterior, possibly kaki (persimmon) or similar bold-grained hardwood; secondary hardwood carcass and interior tray; dark metal bar pulls
• Use: Personal keepsake and accessories storage box
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and watch organizer for bedroom decor; desktop organizer for home office storage; display accent for Japandi or mid-century modern interiors
• Features: Hinged lift-top lid with fitted interior tray -- scalloped ring slots and divided compartments lined in pale wood; multiple pull-out drawers below with rectangular metal bar pulls; rounded corner edges; plain secondary-wood sides and back; plinth base
• Dimensions: 12 1/2"W x 9"D x 8"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition -- surface wear and minor scuffs consistent with age; structure and drawers fully functional

A rare piece of vintage Japanese vintage craft that brings prewar Art Deco character and practical elegance to any modern bedroom or home office.

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 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.