Japanese Wooden Filing Box with Calligraphy, 1920s-1950s

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Description

Characterful wooden filing box from Japan, filled with original paper documents covered in hand-painted calligraphy. The box has a warm, … Read more Characterful wooden filing box from Japan, filled with original paper documents covered in hand-painted calligraphy. The box has a warm, dark brown patina with ink splashes and traces of use that show it was actively used for many years.

Dimensions: height 18.5 cm, width 30.5 cm, depth 16.5 cm.

Inside the box are bundles and booklets dating mainly from the Taishō and early Shōwa periods (1920s–1950s). On the covers you can read terms such as 御見舞 (omimai – visit or gift for a birth or hospital stay), 香代信者納帳 (register of offerings from believers) and several dates like Taishō 13 and Shōwa 31. These are ledgers, receipt booklets and loose documents that reflect the rhythm of daily and religious life in a Japanese community: birth visits, gifts, celebrations, administration.

Together, box and contents form a beautiful historical time capsule. The combination of handwritten calligraphy, folded envelopes, old paper textures and the simple wooden box makes this a striking decorative object.

Perfect as a curiosity in a Japanese or wabi-sabi inspired interior, on a desk or sideboard, but just as interesting for lovers of historic Japanese documents, calligraphy or graphic design. For artists and creatives, this set is a rich source of inspiration – to work with, photograph, style, or simply cherish as a tangible piece of Japanese history. See less