Vintage Japanese Ju Bako Tiered Food Box, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-001

Japanese Ju-bako Tiered Food Box | Decorative Storage Box & Living Room Display, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-001

A lacquered stacking bento box with gold fan maki-e decoration and vibrant vermilion interior -- a treasured piece of Japanese antique craftsmanship.

A ju-bako is a traditional Japanese tiered food box, used to present celebratory meals during New Year (osechi ryori) and other festive occasions. This handsome Mid Showa example features multiple stacking tiers finished in a deep, glossy black lacquer exterior, each tier decorated with a flowing gold maki-e motif of folding fans (sensu and uchiwa) -- a classic auspicious design symbolizing good fortune and the unfolding of a bright future. The interior of each tier is lined with a rich vermilion lacquer, a signature of quality Japanese lacquerware that was believed to ward off impurities. The set comes with a fitted lid, also decorated with a continuation of the fan motif across its top surface. The set is accompanied by a red-lacquered wooden storage box bearing a bold family crest (kamon) in black, used to house the stacked tiers when not in use -- a practical and elegant solution that speaks to the refined culture of gift-giving in postwar Japan.

Today, this vintage Japanese lacquerware makes a striking decorative accent in any modern interior. Display the tiers stacked on a sideboard or dining table as a sculptural living room accent with a distinctly Japandi aesthetic, or use the individual tiers as elegant catchall trays for jewelry, small accessories, or correspondence in a bedroom or home office setting. The bold gold-on-black fan design makes this a truly unique gift for collectors of Japanese antiques, for Japanophiles, or as a sophisticated housewarming gift for someone who appreciates wabi-sabi aesthetics and handcrafted Japanese art.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Wood with black lacquer exterior, gold maki-e fan decoration, vermilion lacquer interior; separate storage box in red-lacquered wood with black kamon crest
• Use: Tiered food presentation box (ju-bako) for osechi ryori and festive meals; stored in the accompanying lacquered kamon box when not in use
• Modern Use: Decorative living room display or dining table centerpiece; individual tiers as jewelry or accessory trays in a bedroom or home office; gift for collectors of Japanese antique lacquerware
• Features: Multiple stacking tiers with fitted lid; deep gloss black lacquer exterior; gold maki-e folding fan (sensu and uchiwa) motif on all exterior faces including lid top; vivid vermilion lacquer interior to each tier; accompanied by a separate red-lacquered wood storage box with black kamon roundel crest; gold lacquer fan detail visible on interior base of one tier
• Dimensions: 19 1/2"W x 19 1/2"D x 14 1/2"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition consistent with age and use; some wear to lacquer edges and corners as visible in images

A rare and decorative piece of Japanese antique lacquerware that brings ceremony, color, and quiet elegance 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 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.