{"product_id":"antique-edo-period-japanese-suzuri-bako-calligraphy-box","title":"Antique Edo Period Japanese Suzuri Bako Calligraphy Box with Secret Compartment","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA large and early example of a kiri (Paulownia) wood Suzuri Bako Calligraphy box dating to the late edo period. (Early to mid 19th Century)  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUsed in Japan by merchants and scribes for carrying implements for writing, brushes, ink, inkstones and paper. The locked draw would often be used to keep money or valuables. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeaturing 3 drawers, 1 larger drawer would have been used to keep paper and possibly an abacus, whilst the unlocked narrow drawer would have been used for writing implements, brushes etc. The Large drawer and unlocked drawers have separated sections. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe locked drawer as mentioned would have been used to keep money and valuables. There is no key but the drawer is unlocked and can be opened by pulling the lock plate. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat makes this box even more special is that there is a secret compartment behind the locked drawer. When you pull the locked drawer out, hiding behind it is a small box which would have kept more valuable. There is actually a small slot in the top section of the box which lines up with this secret drawer, so perhaps it was for depositing small coins or coins of high value. This type of secret drawer is often found in ships chests but not often seen in suzuri bako.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn the top there is an open section which would have originally housed the suzuri, Japanese ink stone used for grinding ink, it also acts as an ink well. As is the case with most suzuri bako, you can see evidince of use from ink stains in the top. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Iron work is of a high qulaity with a nice fan design on the lock plate as well as what look like heart shaped cut outs on the corner plates. Except they are not hearts but rather protective \"inome\" (boar’s-eye). Inome have been used in Japan for over 1000 years as a protective symbol warding off evil and bringing good fortune.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn good condition for age. The clasp holding the top lid has unfortunately broken which is common on these boxes. The lid closes fine, it just means It cant be carried by the top handle. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe find these boxes incredibly useful even today. We have one for gardening tools and another one for pens and pencils.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLarger size, last picture shows it in comparison to another suzuri we have listed. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeasures 22cm wide x 33.5cm x 26cm\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kanso House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54066076254513,"sku":null,"price":525.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/2399\/1857\/files\/Antique_Japanese_Large_Suzuri_Bako_Calligraphy_Box-17.jpg?v=1777545403","url":"https:\/\/kansohouse.com.au\/products\/antique-edo-period-japanese-suzuri-bako-calligraphy-box","provider":"Kanso House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}