Boxes are essential for storage—learning to use them wisely

When you think of square-shaped storage tools, boxes come to mind.
If you look around your home, don't you find boxes in all sorts of places?
Boxes hold our belongings, and sometimes serve as tools for carrying things,
making them an indispensable part of daily life.
This time, we'll focus on wooden boxes in particular
and explore their appeal.

1. JU-BAKO/Wajima Kirimoto
2. Handled Small Box/Kurashiki Ishō
3. Step Up Box/Oak Village
4. Atehako/Wajima Kirimoto

Simply saying "box" doesn't do justice to the sheer variety out there.
If we start listing words that contain "box,"
bento boxes, trash boxes, treasure boxes, sewing boxes, shoe boxes…
many examples come to mind.
Boxes are so intertwined with our daily lives that
by changing their size and depth,
they've been adapted for countless purposes.

Long before materials like metal and plastic became widespread,
boxes were made of wood.
By cutting hard wood and mastering the technique of joining parts without nails or screws,
that familiar shape enclosing space on all four sides was born.
Furniture and fittings made by combining boards through various techniques
are called "sashimono," and
they say these have long been cherished as furnishings.
Wooden boxes, too, applied these techniques
and became something that accompanied people's daily lives.

From the moment you remove the packaging, a refreshing scent gently drifts up—
this is the JU-BAKO by Wajima Kirimoto, made from asunaro (Japanese false cypress).
The surface is smooth to the touch, revealing the craftsman's careful sanding work.
The four corners are joined using a wood called "hō" (Japanese magnolia),
and the edges are chamfered to remove sharp corners.
With its beautiful white asunaro wood and meticulous craftsmanship,
the JU-BAKO has a gentle, soft atmosphere about it.
It's a box you'll want to use both for everyday meals and for special occasions.

This is the Atehako, also created by Wajima Kirimoto.
Its body is made from white hinoki-asunaro wood,
paired with a lid finished in black fuki-urushi (wiped lacquer), giving it a sophisticated look.

At first glance, the seams are nearly invisible—you might even wonder how to open it.
The Atehako is a rectangular box finished with meticulous care.
Sliding the black fuki-urushi lid sideways reveals an "ari-hozo" (dovetail joint) finish that opens it.
By creating a step on the underside of the lid that fits snugly against the body,
the box stays nearly airtight when the lid is closed,
while sliding the lid allows it to open.
The fact that the lid won't come off even when turned upside down
speaks to the precision of its construction.
Despite being made entirely of wood,
the smooth opening-and-closing mechanism reveals a high level of practicality.

The Step Up Box is made in Hida Takayama, Gifu Prefecture.
It, too, is a box made entirely of wood.
You can see that the corners of the box form a zigzag shape.
This is a technique called "arare-gumi" (finger joint).
By shaping the edges of two boards into a zigzag pattern
and fitting them together at a right angle,
the pieces stay firmly fixed using nothing but wood.
The zigzag pattern that appears on the surface adds a stylish touch as well.

As mentioned earlier, boxes have traditionally been made of wood.
Because wood is a natural material, wooden boxes have certain characteristics.
Understanding these characteristics before use
will help you enjoy your box for even longer.

>>Drawer Box/Kurashiki Ishō Keikaku Shitsu

First, let's talk about color.
Wooden boxes that haven't been painted show the natural color of the wood itself.
For example, in the Drawer Box shown above, the three drawers
each appear to be a different color, but this too is something nature has created.
Even though the same material is used, some parts appear darker
while others appear lighter.
This individual variation—so pronounced that the same product can look like a different one—
is a hallmark of wooden goods.

The wood grain that develops as trees age is another point of charm.
In the Atehako on the left above, you can see the straight,
subtle grain of the hinoki-asunaro wood.
In the Step Up Box on the right, the oak wood shows a bold, substantial grain.
The way grain patterns change depending on the type of wood almost feels like seeing the material's own face.

Since wooden boxes are used for storage,
they often come into contact with other objects.
When force is applied along the direction of the grain,
wooden products can be prone to cracking.
Please take extra care with thinner parts to avoid impact.

A box we use every day: the bento box.
The JU-BAKO from Wajima Kirimoto can be used as an everyday bento box.
The hinoki-asunaro wood used as its raw material
contains hinokitiol, a naturally antibacterial compound, so you can put food inside with peace of mind.
Additionally, since the coating uses an inorganic paint made primarily of glass,
the natural texture of the hinoki-asunaro wood comes through just as it is.

The Atehako from Wajima Kirimoto comes
in two sizes: pen case and business card holder.
It looks neat and unobtrusive even when placed on a desk,
and beyond stationery and business cards, it can also hold small odds and ends
like phone charging cables and paper clips all together.
It's a design that men will find easy to use as well.

Accessories shown inside:
Earrings, Shell, HAS-SH-002P *Coming soon
Bracelet, Futatsu-ami, HAA-FA-002B *Coming soon
Earrings, JPA1422, Toō

When you open the lid of a small box, what will you find inside?
Doesn't it make you feel excited, wondering what might be inside?
The Kurashiki Isho hand-carry box gives you just that feeling.
It comes with a retro-style clasp.
It's a small box, but with good depth,
so it's also recommended for storing accessories.
It's a box that makes you happy every time you open it.

Clothes, too, become tidy once put into a box.
The Woodlore cedar storage case
uses American-grown red cedar, which has reliable deodorizing, moisture-proofing, and insect-repelling
effects, firmly protecting your clothing.
The wood grain that appears on the surface is beautiful as well, and it comes in
3 sizes to match the shape of your clothes, making it a box you'll want to line up inside your closet.

For the care of storage boxes
>> Hataki Duster, Goat Hair, 34cm/REDECKER

Dust tends to accumulate in the four corners of storage boxes.
Especially for boxes without a lid,
it's necessary to remove dust regularly.
Take everything out of the box,
and use a soft brush or duster to remove the dust.

For wooden boxes, it's also important to replenish oil as a measure against dryness.
If dryness progresses too far, it can cause warping or cracking, so
apply oil to a soft cloth, spread it well, and rub it into the surface.
Also, keeping the box out of direct sunlight helps prevent dryness.
If the box gets wet, there is a risk of the wood decaying.
If it does get wet, dry it thoroughly in a well-ventilated place.

Also, for bento boxes and other items used for food,
wash them and let them dry thoroughly before storing.
Depending on the product, dishwasher use may not be possible,
so please check in advance.

Please also refer to this for the care of wooden interior items.
>> Wooden Interior Items: Take Care of Them and Use Them for a Long Time