A traditional Japanese wooden storage box, dating from the late 19th to early 20th century (Meiji to early Showa period). The container is constructed from wood with a dark reddish-brown stained or lacquered exterior and an unfinished natural wood interior. It features a sliding lid mechanism with two raised cross-braces, one of which is shaped with a decorative scalloped edge to facilitate opening. The interior is divided into two compartments of varying sizes. Each compartment features hand-written calligraphy in black ink on the floor; the left character is ‘期’ and the right is ‘今’, which read together as ‘今期’ (Kon-ki), meaning ‘this term’ or ‘current period’. The box was likely utilised for the storage of business ledgers, account books, or seasonal household items.
10 x 18 x 9 inches.
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