Antique Japanese Lacquer Kushi-bako/Haribako with Makie Kaede and Arabesque Decoration, Mid Showa Period (1946-1965) | SKU: 26M-571

Antique Japanese Lacquer Kushi Bako / Haribako with Maki-e Kaede and Arabesque Decoration, Mid Showa Period (1946-1965) | SKU: 26M-571

A richly decorated Japanese lacquer storage box, beautifully finished in black urushi with gold and red-brown maki-e maple leaf and arabesque decoration.

A kushi-bako is a traditional Japanese box used to store combs, hair ornaments, cosmetic tools, and other personal accessories, while a haribako is a sewing box used to organize needles, thread, and small sewing implements. This elegant example, dating to the Mid Showa period (1946-1965), may have served either purpose, with its fitted compartments and multiple drawers offering practical layered storage. The exterior is finished in deep kuro-urushi black lacquer and adorned with intricate maki-e decoration: swirling gold arabesque scrollwork forms the background, while bold kaede maple leaves in lustrous gold and warm red-brown tones drift across the lid and side panels. Gilt brass edging frames the corners, giving the piece a refined, jewel-like finish.

The upper lift-top section opens to reveal a fitted interior with small compartments, ideal for organizing delicate accessories or sewing tools. Below, multiple pull-out drawers, each fitted with a cast metal floral knob, provide additional storage. The warm lacquered wood interior contrasts beautifully with the dramatic black-and-gold exterior, reflecting the refined decorative sensibility of Showa-era Japanese lacquerware.

In a modern home, this antique Japanese lacquer box makes a striking vanity or dressing table piece, perfect for storing jewelry, rings, earrings, hair accessories, or small personal treasures. It can also be used as a refined sewing box, keepsake box, or decorative organizer for a desk or living room. Its bold black lacquer, gold maki-e, and maple leaf motif pair beautifully with Japandi, wabi-sabi, traditional, or eclectic interiors. A unique piece for collectors of Japanese antiques and lacquerware, it brings both beauty and function into the contemporary home.

Origin: Japan
Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
Material: Wood core with kuro-urushi black lacquer exterior; gold and red-brown maki-e decoration; gilt brass corner edging; cast metal floral drawer knobs; lacquered wood interior
Use: Traditional personal accessory box, possibly used as a kushi-bako for combs and hair ornaments, or as a haribako for sewing tools and small implements
Modern Use: Vanity jewelry box; ring and earring organizer; sewing box; keepsake box; decorative desk or living room organizer
Features: All-over kaede maple leaf and arabesque scroll maki-e decoration; lift-top upper section with fitted interior compartments; multiple pull-out drawers with cast metal floral knobs; gilt brass corner edging; rich lacquered wood interiors; elegant black, gold, and red-brown palette
Dimensions: 8 1/2"W x 11 1/2"D x 10 1/2"H
Condition: Excellent

A luminous example of Showa-era Japanese lacquerware — a refined kushi-bako or haribako where traditional maki-e decoration meets practical beauty for the modern collector.

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 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.