- Dimensions: approx. 33 cm × 28 cm × 7 cm
- Origin: Japan
- Timeline: Showa–Heisei period, 20th century
- Condition: very good, minor signs of age and use.
Fubako (文箱), Showa–Heisei period
This document and letter box from Japan is of the fubako / bunbako type, traditionally used for storing long letters, papers, and keepsakes. Its form and function reflect the heritage of Japanese writing culture.
The lid is decorated with flying cranes and stylised pine trees. A red artist’s seal appears in one corner. In Japanese culture, the crane symbolises longevity, good fortune, and fidelity, while the pine represents endurance and the continuity of life. Together, these motifs have traditionally been used on objects intended to convey wishes for long life and good luck.
The piece was made in Japan in the late 20th century. It is constructed with a resin-based core and finished with synthetic cashew lacquer, a material that became widespread toward the end of the Shōwa period alongside traditional urushi lacquer. The decoration follows the maki-e technique, and the interior is finished with a gold-toned nashiji texture.
Symbolism and traditional use in Japan
The decorative motifs on the box — the crane and the pine — belong in Japan to what are known as auspicious motifs, symbols that express good fortune, longevity, and continuity. Such motifs have traditionally been used especially on gift and utilitarian objects associated with long life and the preservation of valued possessions.
The crane (tsuru) is one of the most well-known symbols of good fortune in Japan. It is particularly associated with longevity and enduring life. The crane is believed to live for a very long time and is therefore commonly used in wedding contexts and as a symbol of new life phases and a long shared future. Cranes are often depicted in pairs, emphasising fidelity and lasting bonds.
The pine (matsu) symbolises endurance, stability, and continuity. Because it remains green throughout the winter, it has long been regarded as a metaphor for vitality and resilience. The pine also appears in traditional New Year decorations and objects, where it represents long life and a stable future.
The combination of the crane and the pine is a classic and deliberate reference to longevity, good fortune, and the continuity of life. Such imagery has been especially common on gift objects linked to life transitions, on writing and document boxes used to store valued letters, documents, and memories, and on objects intended to carry meaning over long periods of time.
Symbolic use
An object of this kind functions as a vessel of meaning. The symbolism of the crane and the pine supports its intended use as a container for things meant to endure over time. It may serve as a place for storing personal letters, writings, or notes; as a boundary that sets what is important apart from the everyday flow; or as a space for gathering documents connected to a life phase, a decision, or a commitment.
The box offers a tangible reminder of continuity and dedication, and of the idea that not everything is meant to be transient or easily replaced.
