Vintage Japanese Haribako Sewing Chest, Mid Showa (1946-1965) | SKU: 26M-725-1

Vintage Japanese Haribako Sewing Chest, Mid Showa (1946-1965) | SKU: 26M-725-1

A beautifully figured mid-century Japanese sewing chest with a hinged lid tray, multiple pull-out drawers, and richly grained hardwood construction.

A haribako is a traditional Japanese sewing box used by women to store needles, thread, thimbles, and other needlework essentials close at hand. This compact yet generously appointed example dates to the postwar Mid Showa period (1946-1965), when Japanese craftsmen began blending traditional cabinetmaking skills with cleaner, more modernist silhouettes. The carcass is constructed from a boldly figured hardwood -- possibly keyaki (zelkova) or kaki (persimmon) -- displaying dramatic swirling flame grain across every panel. The rounded top corners and gently curved base plinth give the piece a softened Art Deco sensibility that sets it apart from earlier, more rectilinear tansu-style boxes. Each drawer front showcases a continuous book-matched grain pattern, and the interior secondary wood is a warm, lighter-toned timber, indicating careful material selection throughout. Chrome-finished bar pulls on every drawer add a period-appropriate industrial touch typical of vintage Japanese craft from this era.

In a modern home, this haribako transitions effortlessly from its original sewing-room role into a versatile desktop or dresser-top organizer. The hinged lid reveals a fitted tray with subdivided compartments -- ideal as a jewelry box for rings, necklaces, and earrings. The array of pull-out drawers below can store cosmetics, art supplies, or small office accessories, making it a stylish home office storage solution. Its compact footprint also makes it a handsome bedroom decor accent on a nightstand or vanity, adding warmth and history through the wabi-sabi aesthetic of aged wood and patina. A distinctive gift for collectors and Japanophiles who appreciate handcrafted Japanese furniture with genuine character.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Boldly figured hardwood exterior, possibly keyaki (zelkova) or kaki (persimmon); lighter hardwood drawer interiors; chrome-finished bar pulls
• Use: Haribako -- traditional Japanese sewing and needlework storage box
• Modern Use: Jewelry box and vanity organizer; desktop or home office storage chest; bedroom decor accent on a dresser or nightstand
• Features: Hinged lift-top lid revealing a fitted interior tray with subdivided compartments; multiple pull-out drawers in a stepped asymmetric layout with smaller drawers to one side and wider drawers spanning the full width; continuous flame-grain veneer across all drawer fronts and side panels; rounded top corners; shaped base plinth; clean unadorned sides
• Dimensions: 13"W x 8"D x 10"H
• Condition: Excellent

A strikingly grained piece of vintage Japanese craft furniture that brings Mid Showa warmth and artisanal character 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.