Antique Japanese Ko Bako Small Box, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-092

Japanese Ko Bako Small Box | Vintage Jewelry Box & Desktop Organizer, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-092

A handcrafted Japanese antique sewing and storage box with a sliding drawer, dark patinated wood, and a brushed floral lid motif -- a quiet emblem of Taisho-era domestic craft.

A ko bako is a traditional Japanese small box used to keep everyday necessities close at hand -- needles, thread, pins, and personal effects. During the Taisho period (1912-1926), these compact handcrafted Japanese boxes were household staples, prized for their practical simplicity and restrained beauty. This example is constructed from a straight-grained hardwood, likely sugi (cryptomeria), finished in a deep amber-brown lacquer that has aged to a rich, honey-dark patina over a century of use. The exterior bears a faint hand-brushed floral motif on the lid -- a subtle decorative touch consistent with Taisho-era folk craft traditions. A curved iron ring handle crowns the top, allowing easy portability. The body houses a single pull-out drawer with a smooth-fitting, unfinished natural wood interior and a circular finger-pull cut into the front face, a hallmark of understated Japanese antique furniture design.

Today this vintage Japanese ko bako translates effortlessly into a modern home. On a bedroom dresser it serves beautifully as a jewelry box -- its drawer ideal for rings, earrings, and small keepsakes. On a home office desk it makes a characterful desktop organizer for pens, paper clips, or business cards, adding a wabi-sabi aesthetic to any workspace. It also works as a living room accent piece -- set on a shelf or side table alongside books and botanicals, it brings warmth and history to a Japandi-style interior. A genuinely unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese antiques with real provenance.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Straight-grained hardwood, likely sugi (cryptomeria); iron ring hardware; dark lacquer finish
• Use: Sewing and personal effects storage box (ko bako)
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or keepsake box; desktop organizer for home office; decorative accent for Japandi or wabi-sabi interiors
• Features: Hinged lift-off lid with hand-brushed floral motif; curved iron ring handle on top; single pull-out drawer with natural unfinished wood interior; circular finger-pull carved into drawer front; rich aged patina throughout
• Dimensions: 7 1/2"W x 11"D x 5 1/2"H
• Condition: Good antique condition -- surface scratches and wear consistent with age; structure sound; drawer slides smoothly

A quietly compelling piece of Japanese antique craft -- over a century old, and still as useful and beautiful as the day it was made.

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.