Antique Japanese calligraphy storage box – Japan, circa 1920

Antique Japanese calligraphy storage box, elongated rectangular shape with a sliding lid on side rails, decorated on the front with ideograms in black ink. Originating from Japan, from the Taisho era or early Showa, where storage boxes organised kitchen utensils, shop supplies, or personal effects in the family warehouse. This typology — generically called kibako — was part of the portable furniture of Japanese homes and businesses. The ink inscriptions indicated the contents or owner: on this example, the characters 料理器 (ryōri-ki, "kitchen utensils") identify the use, and 廣瀬 (Hirose), a surname, marks the owner or original cabinet. Details. Dimensions: Length 23 cm – Depth 45 cm – Height 33 cm. Style: Traditional Japanese, Taisho / early Showa. Materials and techniques: Solid wood; sliding lid on straight rails; brush calligraphy in black ink; nailed assembly. Place of origin: Japan. Period: Taisho / early Showa. Date of manufacture: Circa 1920. Condition / Observations: Good. Some marks from use. Wear consistent with age and use.