Vintage Japanese Hexagonal Wooden Keepsake Box with Hand-Painted Kokeshi Figures, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-733-2

Vintage Japanese Hexagonal Wooden Keepsake Box with Hand-Painted Kokeshi Figures, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26M-733-2

A charming hexagonal wooden keepsake box adorned with hand-painted kokeshi doll figures in vivid folk-art style.

A hako is a traditional Japanese wooden box used to store small personal treasures, keepsakes, or ceremonial items. This delightful vintage example is crafted in a distinctive hexagonal form from a warm-toned hardwood, with straight-grain panels fitted together at precise angles and secured by a small metal hinge. The front face is decorated with a pair of hand-painted kokeshi figures -- a girl in a red kimono with a yellow hair ornament and a boy in a blue dotted kimono -- rendered in the bold, simplified folk-art style characteristic of Early Showa craftsmanship. Kokeshi imagery was widely used on souvenir goods and decorative objects during this era as an emblem of good cheer and Japanese cultural identity, making this a genuine example of vintage Japanese craft from the prewar period.

Today, this compact hexagonal hako makes a wonderful jewelry box for rings, earrings, and small pendants, sitting beautifully on a bedroom dresser or vanity as a wabi-sabi accent. Its flat, upright silhouette also works as a living room accent piece -- displayed closed with the painted kokeshi faces forward, it functions as folk-art decor in its own right, perfectly suited to a Japandi style shelf or curio cabinet. It would also make a unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage pieces or as a housewarming gift for anyone who loves handcrafted Japanese objects with genuine patina and history.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Hardwood with hand-painted polychrome decoration; metal hinge
• Use: Small personal storage box for keepsakes, trinkets, or ceremonial items
• Modern Use: Jewelry box for rings and earrings; decorative folk-art accent for shelf or vanity; unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage pieces
• Features: Hexagonal form; hinged lid; hand-painted kokeshi couple in folk-art style -- girl in red kimono, boy in blue dotted kimono; warm straight-grain wood panels; single open interior compartment
• Dimensions: 5"W x 4 1/2"D x 1 3/4"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition with age-appropriate wear to painted surfaces; light soiling to interior; hinge intact and functional.

A rare and endearing piece of vintage Japanese craft -- this hand-painted kokeshi hako brings folk-art warmth and Showa-era 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 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.