Vintage Japanese Kiridame Nesting Lacquer Box Set, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26J-0558

Vintage Japanese Kiridame Nesting Lacquer Box Set, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26J-0558

A striking graduated set of black and red lacquer nesting boxes, rooted in Japan's most celebratory culinary traditions.

A Kiridame is a traditional Japanese tiered or nested box set used to present osechi ryori -- the elaborately prepared New Year's foods shared with family during the first days of January -- as well as other celebratory or ceremonial meals. This vintage set consists of several graduated rectangular boxes that nest compactly inside one another, topped by a fitted lid. Each box is finished in glossy black lacquer on the exterior, with the wood grain visible beneath the coating in a way that adds quiet texture to the deep, polished surface. Thin lines of warm red-orange appear at each rim when the pieces are stacked, hinting at the rich interior finish within. The interiors are coated in a bold vermilion-red lacquer, a color long associated with good fortune and festivity in Japanese craft tradition. The lacquer finish is consistent with mass-produced Showa-era workmanship -- likely a synthetic urushi-style coating rather than true urushi -- but the visual effect is classically handsome and thoroughly authentic in spirit. This is a fine example of vintage Japanese lacquerware that collectors and enthusiasts of Japanese vintage decorative arts will appreciate.

In today's home, this Kiridame set offers far more than seasonal use. Stacked on a sideboard or dining room shelf, the graduated pyramid of glossy black boxes makes an immediate living room accent in keeping with a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic. Separated and used individually, each tray or box functions beautifully as a desk organizer, a catchall for jewelry and small accessories in a bedroom, or a styled display vessel for natural objects, incense, or folded textiles. The bold red interiors turn any open box into an eye-catching decorative accent in its own right. The full stacked set also makes a memorable housewarming gift or unique gift for Japanophiles who appreciate functional vintage Japanese craft with a strong graphic presence.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Wood with black lacquer exterior and red-orange lacquer interior; likely synthetic urushi-style finish; wood grain visible through lacquer surface
• Use: Kiridame nested food boxes, traditionally used to serve osechi ryori and ceremonial meals
• Modern Use: Decorative living room or dining room accent when stacked; desk organizer or jewelry tray when used individually; housewarming gift or display piece for Japanese decor enthusiasts
• Features: Multiple graduated rectangular nesting boxes with fitted lid; black lacquer exteriors with visible wood grain; warm red-orange lacquer interiors; thin red accent lines visible at rims when stacked; compact nesting storage
• Dimensions: 12 1/2"W x 10"D x 5 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A timeless set of vintage Japanese lacquerware that brings the warmth, color, and ceremonial spirit of traditional Japanese craft into 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.