Hand-painted Storage Box Ornament / Paulownia Wood

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

Carefully handcrafted one by one by skilled Japanese artisans, this unique ornament brings both elegance and good fortune to your space.
At its center hangs a delicate 5.8cm (approx. 2.3 inches) cubic Kiribako (paulownia wood box), elegantly suspended and surrounded by beautifully crafted auspicious Japanese motifs, such as the traditional folding fan (Sensu), which symbolizes prosperity and expanding future possibilities.

More than just a beautiful decorative piece, this Kiribako is fully functional. The box can be opened and closed, serving as a charming secret compartment to safely store small, precious items like rings, jewelry, or keys.
Whether displayed gracefully in your entryway to welcome guests or placed in your living room as a cultural centerpiece, this versatile ornament adds a touch of authentic Japanese artistry while keeping your treasured belongings close at hand.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：1200 years ago / 800AD / Heian period in Japan

Kyo Sashimono (Cabinetwork) is a traditional craft that uses a technique of combining wood and wood without using metal nails. The construction of thin boards may look delicate, but it is in fact very sturdy because of the elaborate unevenness in the hidden parts called "hozo".
Kyo Sashimono (Cabinetwork) is said to have originated in the Heian period (794-1185). In Japan, which has abundant wood resources, wood crafts unique to Japan had been developed. With the arrival of the stone and metal cultures from China and Korea, a unique craft using wood as a material was born, imitating their vessels. This is what is known as Kyo Sashimono (Cabinetwork) .

Kyo Sashimono (Cabinetwork) was used mainly by the imperial court and court nobles, and is characterized by its elegant and exquisite workmanship.
In addition, the culture of the tea ceremony, which pursued simplicity and beauty, and the culture of the townspeople of the Edo period nurtured the variety of expression in Kyo Sashimono (Cabinetwork).

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

HAKOTOU
HAKOTOU was founded in 1891. Since its establishment, it has operated as a workshop crafting paulownia boxes for storing Kyoto's traditional crafts, serving as a modest yet significant supporting player in Kyoto's traditional industries. In 2000, HAKOTOU opened a gallery specializing in paulownia boxes for individual customers. Along with developing and selling a variety of painted paulownia boxes in different sizes, they continue to propose new lifestyles that incorporate paulownia boxes into modern living.

Craftsman Passion

They propose a new lifestyle that incorporates paulownia boxes into modern living. 

Traditionally, paulownia boxes are perceived as containers for valuable items. However, they are making these boxes more accessible for everyday use by decorating them with paintings and designing products that match contemporary lifestyles. They aim to share the charm of paulownia boxes with people around the world.

 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Total Width：11cm
Total Depth：14.5cm
Total Height：31cm
Total Weight：77g

Box Width：5.8cm
Box Depth：5.8cm
Box Height：5.8cm

Material & Caution

Materials

Paulownia wood

 

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

Please note that it will take about a month for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.