Vintage Japanese Lacquered Fubako Lidded Box with Lotus Motif, Mid-Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0218

Vintage Japanese Lacquered Fubako Lidded Box with Lotus Motif, Mid-Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0218

A richly textured bark-finish lidded box adorned with a hand-applied lotus leaf motif -- a quietly elegant piece of vintage Japanese craft.

A fubako -- or lidded keepsake box -- is a traditional Japanese vessel used to store letters, personal treasures, or small ceremonial items. This rectangular example, dating to the mid-Showa period, is finished in a deep reddish-brown lacquer-like coating that closely mimics the streaked, knot-patterned texture of kaba-zaiku, the celebrated cherry bark craft tradition of the Tohoku region. Whether the surface is true bark inlay or a skilled lacquer simulation in the same spirit, the effect is strikingly organic -- warm amber streaks and lenticular knot marks ripple across every panel, inside and out. The removable lid is decorated with a raised leaf-and-stem motif in muted gold-green tones, likely lotus leaves (hasu), rendered in a naturalistic style consistent with mid-century Japanese decorative arts. The interior shares the same bark-textured treatment, showing honest age patina that adds to its wabi-sabi aesthetic. This is a handcrafted Japanese vintage box with genuine character, sought after by collectors of Japanese vintage furniture and decorative objects alike.

Compact and beautifully proportioned, this vintage Japanese box translates effortlessly into modern living spaces. Use it as a jewelry box on a bedroom dresser, corralling rings, earrings, and small keepsakes beneath its sculptural lid. On a home office desk it works equally well as a card or stationery organizer, lending a touch of Japandi style to a minimalist decor scheme. It also makes a striking living room accent -- displayed open on a shelf or coffee table alongside other natural-material objects. Its warm earth tones and organic surface pair naturally with linen, ceramic, and reclaimed wood. A unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors of vintage Japanese craft, it carries the quiet beauty of a bygone era into any contemporary setting.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Wood with dark lacquer-like bark-textured finish; raised leaf-and-stem decoration on lid
• Use: Storing letters, personal keepsakes, or small ceremonial items
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or ring dish on a bedroom dresser; stationery and card organizer for a home office desk; decorative accent on a living room shelf or coffee table
• Features: Rectangular form with lift-off lid; streaked reddish-brown bark-effect finish covering all surfaces inside and out; raised lotus leaf-and-stem motif on lid in muted gold-green tones; age patina consistent with mid-Showa period; wabi-sabi character throughout
• Dimensions: 6"W x 8"D x 2"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition -- surface shows honest age wear and patina consistent with era; no structural damage observed

A timeless example of handcrafted Japanese decorative art -- its bark-like warmth and lotus motif bring an understated wabi-sabi 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 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.