Vintage Japanese Haribako Sewing Box, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-133-2

Vintage Japanese Haribako Sewing Box, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-133-2

A boldly grained Early Showa haribako with a hinged lid, pull-out drawers, and richly lacquered figural wood -- an exceptional example of vintage Japanese craft.

A haribako is a traditional Japanese sewing box used to store needles, thread, thimbles, and small notions within an organized arrangement of compartments and drawers. This handsome example dates to the Early Showa period (1927-1945), a transitional era when Japanese craftsmen blended classical joinery traditions with the cleaner, more rectilinear forms influenced by Western modernism. The exterior is veneered in a boldly figured hardwood -- most likely kaki (persimmon) or a similarly dramatic Japanese species -- whose swirling, tiger-stripe grain has been brought to a deep, lacquered luster. The result is a surface that reads almost painterly, with warm amber and dark chocolate tones shifting across each panel. The construction is precise: a hinged lid opens to reveal a divided upper tray, while multiple pull-out drawers below offer graduated storage, all resting on compact bracket feet that give the piece a grounded, architectural stance. This is a fine piece of Japanese vintage furniture that rewards close inspection.

In a modern home this haribako transitions beautifully well beyond its original purpose. Set it on a bedroom dresser as a jewelry box and watch organizer, its divided interior tray perfectly sized for rings, earrings, and small accessories. In a home office it makes a distinguished desktop organizer for stationery, pens, and cards -- a wabi-sabi aesthetic accent that adds warmth and history to a minimalist or Japandi-style workspace. It would also shine on an entryway console as a catchall for keys, cufflinks, and folded notes. Compact yet capacious, it is a unique housewarming gift or a standout acquisition for collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Boldly figured hardwood veneer, possibly kaki (persimmon); secondary wood interior; metal hinge hardware
• Use: Haribako -- traditional Japanese sewing and notions storage box
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and accessory organizer; desktop storage for a home office; entryway catchall accent piece
• Features: Hinged lift-top lid with divided interior tray; multiple pull-out drawers with internal subdividers; dramatic swirling figural grain across all exterior panels; deep lacquered finish; compact bracket feet; clean, modernist silhouette
• Dimensions: 12"W x 7"D x 9"H
• Condition: Excellent

A striking piece of vintage Japanese craft -- where Early Showa joinery tradition meets a grain pattern dramatic enough to hold its own in any modern interior.

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.