Vintage Japanese Kusuri Bako Medicine Box, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-997

Japanese Kusuri-bako Medicine Box | Vintage Desk Organizer & Collector Display, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-997

A boldly lacquered Japanese pharmacy drawer box from the Late Showa era -- a rare piece of everyday commercial folk art.

A kusuri-bako is a traditional Japanese medicine chest or pharmacy storage box, used by itinerant medicine sellers and local pharmacies (yakuhin-ten) to store and display their remedies. This compact ko-bako features a striking vermilion-red exterior lacquered over a lightweight wood body, printed on all sides with bold merchant graphics in the classic Japanese advertising style of the Showa period. The front panel bears the name of a licensed Nagano Prefecture pharmacy -- complete with a government-issued pharmaceutical seal, a bold shop logo in a circular mon crest, and a removable name card holder -- all hallmarks of the koki-han system, the traditional Japanese practice of leaving medicine chests with households for self-service use. The single pull-out drawer slides smoothly on a plain wood interior, with an arched metal bail pull providing a satisfying, tactile grip. This is a genuine piece of handcrafted Japanese commercial craft, not a reproduction.

Today, this vivid little box makes a wonderful conversation piece in any home. Its open drawer and compact footprint make it ideal as a desktop organizer for storing small stationery, keys, or trinkets, lending a pop of graphic Showa-era energy to a home office or entryway shelf. Display it closed as a standalone living room accent or shelf decor in a Japandi-style interior, where its bold red and black palette creates a striking wabi-sabi contrast against natural linen and wood. It also makes a truly unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors of vintage Japanese ephemera and mid-century design. A rare survivor of a now-vanished piece of Japanese daily life.

• Origin: Nagano Prefecture, Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Lightweight wood with red lacquered exterior; plain wood interior; metal bail pull; printed paper labels and name card
• Use: Pharmacy display and medicine storage box (kusuri-bako), used in the traditional Japanese koki-han household medicine distribution system
• Modern Use: Desktop organizer or small storage box; shelf or entryway display accent; unique gift for collectors of Showa-era Japanese antiques
• Features: Vivid vermilion-red lacquered exterior printed with bold merchant graphics on all sides; circular mon crest logo; government pharmaceutical certification seal; removable name card holder with original pharmacy name card intact; single smooth-sliding pull-out drawer; arched metal bail pull; plain natural wood drawer interior
• Dimensions: 8"W x 9"D x 5"H
• Condition: Excellent -- original labels, name card, and hardware all intact; light age patina consistent with use

A vivid time capsule of Japanese commercial folk art -- this Late Showa kusuri-bako brings a bold graphic energy and a touch of history to any modern home or collection.

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.