Vintage Japanese Haribako Sewing Box, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-550

Japanese Haribako Sewing Box | Vintage Jewelry Box & Desk Organizer, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-550

A handcrafted Mid Showa haribako with a lift-top compartment, multiple pull-out drawers, and a warm burl-faced finish -- a rare piece of vintage Japanese craft in exceptional form.

A haribako is a traditional Japanese sewing box used by women to store needles, thread, scissors, thimbles, and other notions essential to daily needlework. This handsomely built example dates to the Mid Showa period (1946-1965), a time when skilled craftsmen continued producing finely jointed wooden storage boxes for household use across Japan. The exterior casing is finished in a deep lacquered hardwood, while the drawer faces display richly figured burl veneer -- possibly kaki (persimmon) -- with dramatic swirling grain that catches the light beautifully. A cast brass floral medallion, rendered in the form of layered leaves, is set into the fascia panel above the drawers, adding a quiet decorative note consistent with Mid Showa aesthetic sensibilities. Each drawer is fitted with a curved brass bar pull, smooth to the touch and warm in tone. Opening the hinged lid reveals an interior tray divided into several compartments for small items, along with a removable inner tray insert -- a thoughtful design feature that allowed the original owner to lift out her most-used tools at a glance. Below, multiple pull-out drawers in a graduated layout offer generous storage, their interiors showing the clean, pale grain of secondary wood.

Today this vintage Japanese haribako translates effortlessly into modern bedroom decor or home office storage. Placed on a dresser or vanity, it makes a beautiful jewelry box -- its divided lid tray perfect for rings and earrings, its deeper drawers ideal for bracelets, watches, and accessories. On a writing desk, the same drawers can organize stationery, stamps, and small tools with a calm, Japandi-style elegance that no mass-produced organizer can replicate. Collectors of Japanese antique furniture will appreciate the quality of the joinery and the richness of the burl-faced drawer fronts, while the compact footprint means it fits comfortably on a nightstand or shelf without overpowering a room. It also makes a unique housewarming gift or gift for Japanophiles who appreciate the wabi-sabi aesthetic of objects worn beautifully by time and use.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Lacquered hardwood casing; burl-faced drawer fronts, possibly kaki (persimmon); secondary wood interiors; cast brass hardware and floral medallion
• Use: Haribako -- traditional Japanese sewing and needlework storage box
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or vanity organizer; desk organizer for stationery and small tools; decorative accent piece for bedroom or home office
• Features: Hinged lift-top lid with divided interior compartment tray; removable inner tray insert; multiple graduated pull-out drawers with brass bar pulls; decorative cast brass leaf medallion on fascia; richly figured burl drawer faces; clean dovetailed secondary wood drawer construction
• Dimensions: 12"W x 7 1/2"D x 9 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A timeless piece of vintage Japanese craft -- this haribako brings the quiet beauty of Mid Showa woodworking into 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 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.