Description

Antique Japanese gyosho bako (peddler’s chest for a traveling salesman). Made with sugi (cryptomeria – cypress) wood on the outside and kiri (paulownia) wood on the inside, this box would have been light enough to carry. The single door opens to reveal a series of 10 light weight stacking trays which slide out like drawers. Each is marked with a character in light ink for organization. There is also an exterior drawer with a round iron lock and square handle. The door closes with an iron ivy shaped lock plate and comes with a key. One side of the box is still outfitted with it’s original woven rattan shoulder straps and has been fashioned with an oval cut-out for spine comfort while carrying wares from place to place.

Age: Late Edo Period (mid 1800’s)

Dimensions: 30 1/2″ high x 3 1/4″ wide x 20 1/4″ deep