Vintage Japanese Woven Bamboo Storage Box with Lid (Take Bako), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0252-1

Vintage Japanese Woven Bamboo Storage Box with Lid (Take Bako), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0252-1

A finely hand-woven bamboo storage box with close-fitting lid, finished in rich dark brown and red-brown tones -- a quiet example of vintage Japanese craft.

A take bako is a traditional Japanese woven bamboo box crafted for the orderly storage of flat personal items -- correspondence, documents, folded cloths, or small keepsakes. This example, dating to the Late Showa era, is woven entirely from split bamboo strips in a tight checkerboard pattern that creates a surface both visually rhythmic and structurally firm. The warm interplay of dark espresso brown and deep red-brown tones gives the piece a richness that ages gracefully. Edges are neatly wrapped and finished with care, and the shallow close-fitting lift-off lid seats snugly over the open-weave tray below -- a hallmark of skilled handcrafted Japanese basketry. No paper lining is present, leaving the open weave of the interior fully visible and true to its utilitarian origins.

At just over twelve inches in length and barely two and a half inches tall, this piece fits naturally into a modern home office as a desktop catch-all for stationery, cards, or small accessories. It works equally well on a bedroom dresser as a valet tray or jewelry holder, or displayed on a shelf as a wabi-sabi accent that brings quiet, organic texture to minimalist or Japandi-style interiors. Its slim profile tucks neatly into a bookshelf or console table without demanding attention -- yet the handwoven surface rewards a closer look. A thoughtful housewarming gift or a rewarding find for collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Woven split bamboo strips; dark brown and red-brown finish
• Use: Flat-item storage box -- likely used for correspondence, folded textiles, or personal keepsakes
• Modern Use: Desktop stationery and card organizer; bedroom dresser valet tray or jewelry holder; decorative shelf accent in Japandi or wabi-sabi interiors
• Features: Tight checkerboard weave pattern; close-fitting lift-off lid; open-weave interior tray; neatly wrapped and reinforced edges; shallow rectangular form
• Dimensions: 9 1/4"W x 12 1/2"D x 2 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully preserved piece of vintage Japanese craft -- handwoven with precision and aged to a warm, luminous depth that no modern reproduction can replicate.

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.