Vintage Japanese Toy Jewelry Box with Mirror – Japan Antique Roadshow

🎎 This delightful little wooden box offers a glimpse into the world of a child growing up in Japan during the mid-to-early Showa period—or possibly as far back as the Taisho era. Likely crafted from pine and bamboo (though this is speculative), the box features a single drawer and a slide-out mirror, suggesting it once served as a toy jewelry box or keepsake chest for a young girl.

The piece measures 10.5 cm long by 7.5 cm wide, and 3.75 cm deep. Its worn condition only enhances its charm, with small nicks and chips contributing to a rich patina of age and use. The mirror remains intact and clear, nestled inside a space just large enough for a child to mimic the adult rituals of adornment and care. Whether it once held borrowed jewelry, crayons, or tiny secrets, this box tells a quiet story of early 20th-century life in Japan.

My daughter Emily remembers similar boxes at the local community center—the Kominkan—in Yada, a village here in the Valley of Tea, Japan, where we raised her. Objects like this one connect generations and embody the heartfelt simplicity of mingei (folk craft) tradition in Japan.

Welcome to the Japan Antique Roadshow channel. My name is Kurt Bell and I am delighted that you have taken some time to share a little of Japan with me. I’m available on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and via email (email address listed below) if you have questions or just want to chat and say hi. I look forward to meeting you online. Have a great day!

Curated by Kurt Bell in Shizuoka City, this box is a sweet and storied example of Japanese folk craftsmanship—designed not to impress, but to serve, to age, and to quietly endure.

Embark with Kurt, an American journeyman born in 1964, as he delves into Japan’s rich mosaic of art, tradition, and spirituality. His book Going Alone is a personal reflection on his life’s journey and the philosophy he’s developed along the way—offering insight into solitude, courage, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. 🌄📚🎎

➡️ https://a.co/d/6SORY8N Get your copy of Going Alone at this link (the hardcover edition is recommended) 🤠🏜️☀️

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CREDITS:

“Japanese Falls” image: Lane Brown | View More: http://lanebrownart.blogspot.com/p/portfolio.html

“Song For Kurt” theme: Nowherians | Listen Here: http://nowherians.bandcamp.com/