Showa Boxes

108 years-old wooden small tansu (chest of drawers) with 4 drawers. Product of Taisho 5 (1916), written on the bottom together with maker's address & name. Finished with traditional Urushi lacquer. The original laquer remains well & gives a good wabi sabi touch. Each handles are partly covered with Boro (hand-woven, indigo dyed cotton cloth) - this is another wabi sabi element of this tansu. Smooth opening & closing operation for all drawers. drawer inner w 5.79 in / d 12.6 in / h 1.38 in, 1.69 in, 2.28 in, 2.64 in (from the top) actual item weight 5.95 lb (2.7 kg) Dear customer - feel free to inquire me for the shipping fee quote. The shipping fee showed in the page is automatically calculated by the system, I'm able to offer reasonable quote via Fedex. *** We're eco-friendly, organic-oriented vintage wood furniture...

This is a small antique seamstress' button box. A Japanese, brass decorative tin, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Delicately crafted bo...

An exquisite Japanese Meiji Period small lacquer incense box, kogo, in the form of a duck or goose, late 19th century, Japan. The delicate lacquer box, known as a kogo in Japanese, ...

Quality antique Victorian tunbridge ware inlaid tea caddy having a lovely antique Victorian tunbridge ware inlaid tea caddy with beautiful detail to the box opening to reveal two rec...

Antique bulldog head wooden box, England, 1900.

A fine and impressive Japanese gold maki-e decorated black lacquer five-tier jubako with presentation tray, two lids, and the original tomobako storage box, Meiji period, late 19th c...

This box is made in Japan and coated with black lacquer. The furniture was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and is made of cedar wood. The metal fittings are made of copper...

19th century Japanese black and gold lacquer Suzuribako box with firefly and plum blossom design.

A small low table with lacquer and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay design from Ryukyu Islands kingdom circa 17-18th century. Ryukyuan kingdom was used to be an independent island cou...

from Tohoku area, Japan. Japanese antique small box tansu chest of drawers, Kohikidashi, made of Sugi Cedar. Product of circa 1850s-1870s (late Edo to early Meiji era), estimate from...

This is an old Japanese wooden box, crafted in the Meiji to Taishō period (1860s–1920s). Despite its long history, it retains a quiet and compelling presence. The box is made from traditional sugi (Japanese cedar), whose soft grain and gentle texture reflect the depth and warmth of its age. The form is strikingly minimal—its design is completely free of unnecessary elements. Although it is simply a box, the composition of clean lines and planes gives it a subtle tension and understated beauty. It carries the precision and warmth of handcraft, something that cannot be replicated by industrial production. One particularly captivating feature is the visible trace of careful repairs made over many years. A knot hole on the side was thoughtfully patched with black washi paper, a practical repair that, over time, has become an expressive and almost artistic detail. In this small gesture, one can sense the quiet presence of Japanese aesthetic sensibilities. The top and sides bear gentle wear and abrasion accumulated over decades. Rather than damage, these marks serve as a texture created by time, giving the piece its unique depth and character. The box possesses a humble yet powerful presence—a true embodiment of wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfection and age. The interior remains sturdy, offering ample storage capacity. It has been thoroughly cleaned, ensuring it can be used safely and comfortably. Its low, elongated proportions make it highly versatile: ideal as a low coffee table, a book table, a side table, or a display platform. Simply placing it in a modern interior instantly adds a sense of calm and visual depth. A simple yet richly expressive antique wooden box...

A Beautifully Worn Late Edo Period Wabi Sabi "Safe"/Storage box. Originally used to store money & valuables. Heavily patinated cedar & chestnut. Perf...