Vintage Japanese Small Hikidashi Drawer, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-555-4

Japanese Hikidashi Drawer | Vintage Bedside Organizer & Desk Drawer Unit, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-555-4

A boldly lacquered hikidashi drawer chest with dramatic tortoiseshell-style finish -- a rare and striking example of postwar Japanese antique furniture.

A hikidashi is a compact Japanese storage chest, traditionally used to organize personal belongings such as documents, sewing tools, or valuables within the home. This mid-century example stands out for its vivid two-tone lacquer treatment: the carcass is finished in a flat vermilion red, while the drawer fronts display a swirling, flame-like pattern in deep crimson and near-black -- a decorative technique that evokes the tortoiseshell (bekko) aesthetic popular in postwar Japanese craft. The drawer boxes themselves are constructed from unfinished pale hardwood, visible when the hikidashi are pulled open, providing a pleasing contrast to the lacquered exterior. Each drawer is fitted with a small brass bar pull, simple in profile yet warm in tone against the dark fronts. The rounded upper corners and low plinth base give the piece a quietly refined silhouette typical of mid-Showa domestic furniture.

This compact vintage Japanese chest translates beautifully into a modern interior. Its cube-like proportions make it a natural fit as bedroom decor -- use it as a bedside table with handy drawer storage for books, remotes, or accessories. In a home office, it serves as a stylish desk organizer or under-desk filing unit. The vivid red lacquer also makes it a striking living room accent or entryway furniture piece, holding keys, mail, or small collectibles. Its bold wabi-sabi aesthetic -- aged lacquer, swirling grain-like pattern, honest wood interiors -- pairs naturally with Japandi style decor or mid-century modern interiors. A memorable housewarming gift or gift for collectors of handcrafted Japanese antiques.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Kiri (paulownia) or hardwood carcass with red lacquer exterior; drawer fronts with swirling two-tone lacquer finish; pale hardwood drawer boxes; brass bar pulls
• Use: Compact household storage chest (hikidashi) for personal belongings, documents, or sewing tools
• Modern Use: Bedside table with drawer storage; home office desk organizer; living room or entryway accent cabinet
• Features: Three hikidashi (pull-out drawers) with rounded lacquered fronts in a dramatic flame-pattern finish; solid red lacquer sides and top; each drawer fitted with a brass bar pull; low plinth base; unfinished pale hardwood drawer interiors
• Dimensions: 7"W x 8 1/2"D x 9"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition -- lacquer shows age-appropriate wear and patina consistent with mid-Showa era use; drawers slide smoothly

A striking piece of Japanese antique furniture -- its lacquered vermilion shell and swirling drawer fronts bring the warmth and character of mid-century Japanese craft 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 and antique 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.