Antique Hari-bako (Sewing Box) - FR33
This beautiful, dark-patinated Hari-bako (sewing box or needle box) is a wonderful example of Japanese domestic craft, originating around the Taishō to early Shōwa period (ca. 1920). Essential to every Japanese household, these boxes were used by women for the storage and maintenance of sewing tools, threads, and small kimono accessories.
Design and Construction
This Hari-bako boasts a sophisticated, multi-level design, maximising storage in a compact footprint. It is crafted from a blend of beautiful Japanese timbers, including rich, dark Mulberry and lighter Paulownia for the drawer interiors—the latter wood valued for its moisture-regulating properties. The main body features a variety of small, perfectly fitted drawers for needles, threads, and thimbles, along with a larger bottom drawer for fabric. A distinctive feature is the tall, carved support column holding a small, cantilevered box at the top, traditionally used for a pin cushion (harizashi). The chest retains its original, long, slender bamboo measure (ruler). Finished with small, elegant bronze drawer pulls, this piece ensured a seamstress's tools were always organised and close at hand.
The Hari-bako is a fantastic piece of functional art, perfect for use as an organiser for small items or as a decorative cultural object.
