Kimono pattern "Washi" Paper Box
This boxes are made by pasting Washi paper, such as "Chiyogami", onto a paper box that has been formed using cardboard.
Kimono pattern "Chrimen" Crepe Fabric Box
"Chirimen" is a fabric with an uneven surface called crepe. It is a durable fabric that has been used for kimono since ancient times.
Japanese Wooden Box "Kiribako"
Paulownia wood has long been revered as a tree of good fortune and happiness. Since ancient times, Japan has had a culture of storing important items in paulownia wooden boxes called "KIRIBAKO".
Wrapping Option
Sanada Ribbon
It is said to have been named after Yukimura Sanada's father, Masayuki, who used it as a "strong and sturdy cord".
News & Information
- Japanese gift packaging
Because of paulownia's excellent properties (lightness, humidity control, fire resistance, insect resistance, etc.), paulownia boxes " Kiribako " have been used for packaging and storage of traditional crafts, beginning with Buddhist ritual utensils, tea ceremony accessories, kimonos, and other items. It has been used from the Heian period (794-1185） to the present. Since Kiribako and autograph on boxes also play a role in determining whether the items are genuine or not, the perception that "paulownia boxed = expensive" has taken root in Japanese culture. Because of this cultural background, the use of Kiribako became popular not only for crafts but also for Japanese gift packaging few decades ago. For example, … Read more - About paulownia "Kiri"Characteristic of paulownia Paulownia is a hardwood tree belonging to the family Gramineae. It is a fast-growing tree that can produce wood in a short period of time. It is planted not only in Japan but also overseas as a horticultural tree because of its early growth and beautiful flowers. Also it is the lightest (lowest density) wood in Japan, and has excellent heat insulation and humidity control properties, as well as low shrinkage and swelling rates and low distortion as wood. Among Japanese wooden furniture, paulownia chests are particularly outstanding. History of paulownia and human society in Japan In Japan, there are several emblems based on the white paulownia … Read more
- How to make Japanese wooden boxes "Kiribako"STEP 1 Removing Acidity from Wood and Drying Paulownia wood is left out in the rain for about 2 to 3 years to remove the scum, and then dried in a hot bath to further improve the quality of the paulownia wood. If the box is made without sufficient removal of the scum and drying process, it may crack, deform, or discolor, which will affect the finish of the box. STEP 2 Lumbering After removing acidity and drying, the logs are sawn into various sizes and thicknesses for processing. At this time, we sort the lumber to determine its material quality and grain. STEP 3 Frameworking The paulownia wood is … Read more
- How the box culture developed in Japan.What were the roots of the box in Japan? The box was also introduced from China as a Chinese chest. It can be said that without China, nothing can be said about Japanese culture. The first boxes that came to Japan were used to store Buddhist ritual utensils. This eventually spread to be for sutras, kesa, and Buddhist rosary and so on. In those days, boxes were not necessary for the general public, and only tools related to the noble Buddhist religion were carefully stored and preserved in such boxes. This was also the case with Shintoism.The box was first used to store tools for religious purposes. As the Nara（710-784） … Read more
- What is Hako-gaki ?"Hako-gaki" means autograph or note of authentication written on a box containing an artworks. Most of the accessories used for tea ceremonies are sored in a paulownia kiri wooden box " Kiribako "with an Hako-gaki, which is written in black ink. For example, tea bowls and tea accessories made by "Raku ware"（a type of Japanese pottery traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies） are often inscribed on the back of the box lid (and sometimes on the front of the lid as well) by Iemoto (the head of the tea ceremony) and other prominent tea masters of the period. The name and origin of the tea accessory that is the contents … Read more
