Vintage Japanese Chabako Tea Storage Chest, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0432-3

Vintage Japanese Chabako Tea Storage Chest, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0432-3

A rare surviving chabako from a Japanese wholesale tea merchant -- complete with original painted branding, galvanized metal lining, and striking graphic folk art panels.

A chabako is a traditional Japanese commercial tea storage and transport chest used by wholesale tea merchants to ship and store large quantities of loose-leaf tea. This exceptional example was made for Kato Shoten, a tea trading company, and bears vivid painted panels on two sides -- one depicting a celadon ceramic tea jar over a deep teal ground with the text "Honmeicha" (premium-grade tea), and the other a weight label reading 48 kg alongside the company name. A painted interlocking circle border in teal and black runs along the full perimeter of the lid, giving this working vessel a surprisingly decorative quality rarely seen in vintage Japanese vintage storage pieces. The slatted softwood body -- likely sugi (cedar), consistent with its characteristic reddish-amber grain and lightweight commercial construction -- is reinforced at the corners and features a fully galvanized sheet-metal interior lining, engineered to seal out moisture and preserve the freshness of the tea inside.

Today this handcrafted Japanese tea chest translates beautifully into a modern interior. Its generous capacity and flat removable lid make it a natural living room accent as a coffee table with hidden storage -- styled with a tray on top for a wabi-sabi aesthetic or Japandi style scheme. It also works as a statement entryway furniture piece, storing shoes, throws, or umbrellas while its painted folk-art panels serve as built-in wall art. Collectors of vintage Japanese craft and mid-century ephemera will appreciate the original painted graphics, which are increasingly rare in this condition. A truly unique gift for Japanophiles or anyone who loves objects with authentic commercial history.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Softwood body, likely sugi (cedar); fully galvanized sheet-metal interior lining; painted paper and applied graphic panels
• Use: Commercial bulk tea storage and transport chest for wholesale tea merchant (chabako)
• Modern Use: Coffee table with hidden storage; entryway furniture blanket or shoe chest; decorative living room accent with folk-art display panels
• Features: Removable flat lid; full galvanized metal interior lining; painted merchant branding panel depicting ceramic tea jar and "Honmeicha" (premium tea) text; weight label panel (48 kg) with company name "Kato Shoten"; decorative interlocking circle border in teal and black running along all four lid edges; slatted horizontal body construction; age-consistent wear and patina throughout
• Dimensions: 27"W x 17"D x 19"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition -- original painted panels largely intact with natural age wear; some peeling and losses at lid border edges consistent with decades of commercial use; metal lining solid and functional

A one-of-a-kind piece of vintage Japanese vintage folk commerce -- where utilitarian craft meets bold graphic design, ready to bring warmth and cultural story 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.