I’m completely charmed by this vintage Japanese round lacquer Bento box with its hand-painted figure pulling a little boat, overflowing with a bounty of what appears to be fruit. I think the red and creamy tan color combo of the box is super, as is the pink, gray, and green palette of the figure’s jacket, all the better for the patterns of dots and waves that animate it and the little red bow holding his hat in place! The handle at the middle of the lid probably once had a tassel attached, and there is a tiny loss of lacquer (which is real, not plastic) in a couple of spots around the edges, but overall the box, which I’d guess dates from the 40s or 50s, is in terrific condition and ready to be filled with snacks or assorted treasures!

The box measures 6 3/4" in diameter and 3 3/4" tall with lid on (2 1/4" without lid).