Vintage Japanese Haribako Sewing Chest | Stationery Storage Box, Early Showa 1927-1945

Vintage Japanese Haribako Sewing Chest | Stationery Storage Box, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26J-0777-1

A compact Japanese haribako sewing chest with a split hinged top, open upper compartment, and four lower drawers fitted with shaped metal pulls.

This handcrafted haribako was made for sewing tools and household needlework supplies, combining a practical upper compartment with a neatly arranged drawer section below. The form is both tidy and portable, with a rectangular body, slightly projecting base, and small side hardware for carrying. The exterior shows a rich reddish-brown wood grain with a glossy finish, while the top opens in two hinged leaves to reveal a dark interior compartment suited to storing thread, cloth pieces, and other sewing accessories. Below, the front is arranged with two full-width drawers over two smaller lower drawers, each fitted with warm-toned metal bail pulls that give the piece a strong vintage character.

Today this vintage Japanese haribako works beautifully as a compact organizer in many interiors. It can hold sewing notions, stationery, jewelry, tea accessories, or other small personal items while adding warmth and age to a shelf, desk, or side table. Its modest footprint makes it especially easy to place in an apartment, studio, or reading corner, and its mix of utility and craftsmanship gives it lasting decorative appeal.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Early Showa, 1927-1945
• Material: Wood with a reddish-brown finish; metal drawer pulls; metal hinges; side carrying hardware
• Use: Haribako sewing chest for organizing needlework tools and small household items
• Modern Use: Sewing supply organizer; jewelry and accessory organizer; desktop storage; decorative accent in a vintage or Japandi interior
• Features: Split hinged top opening to an upper compartment; four lower drawers in mixed sizes; shaped metal bail pulls; side carrying hardware; compact upright form; projecting base trim
• Dimensions: 12 1/2"W x 7"D x 13"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition with age-appropriate wear, surface marks, finish variation, and patina to the metal hardware

A practical and characterful piece of vintage Japanese craftsmanship, offering organized storage and the quiet charm of a traditional sewing chest.

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.