Tomobako
The tomobako (共箱) is a Japanese wooden box specially made to protect and store important ceramic pieces (yakimono).
These lightweight boxes are traditionally constructed of kiri (桐), or paulownia wood, and feature special joinery details which vary from box to box. The unfinished wood is susceptible to darkening via oxidation over time:
The box on the left is new, and the one on the right is 60-100+ years old.
They are frequently adorned with calligraphy and/or stamps identifying the kiln, year, maker, style, special glaze, or type of ceramic ware. The writing usually begins on the upper right-hand corner of the top of the lid, the underside of the lid, or the side of the box. The potter's name usually appears on the lower left, signing only with their first name. A folded piece of paper is often placed over it to protect the calligraphy.
The tomobako plays an important role in the value and protection of important Japanese pottery, so handle with care.
Please read Robert Yellin's excellent article: "The Box: Don't Throw It Away!"
Sanadahimo
The box is secured with a woven ribbon called a sanadahimo (真田紐) or himo (紐). There are various ways to tie a himo, but basically you just tie it into a bow. Here's my favorite demonstration video:
If you have a box that is missing a himo, you can estimate the required length with this equation:
- himo length ≈ 1.3 × (3L + 3W + 4H)
Replacement himo can be obtained from various sources including eBay, Etsy, and www.sanadahimo.com.
If you are so inclined, you can terminate the himo like this:
http://www.sanadahimo.com/en/style/
This prevents the ends from coming apart and adds a bit of flair.
Ukon-fu
Sometimes, an ukonfu (turmeric cloth, ウコン布) is included. Also known as tomogire (共布), this cloth provides some cushioning in the box and was traditionally dyed orange-yellow with turmeric possibly for insect repellant properties. Today, other dyes are used. The cloth is commonly stamped by the artist. See also this thread.
Protective Paper
A folded piece of paper can be placed over the lid to protect the calligraphy from being rubbed away by the himo or by things stacked on top. Mulberry or other natural/decorative paper products are popular options.
The paper is commonly folded like this:
Storage & Organization
I find it helpful to place a descriptive info card inside each tomobako to keep everything organized. This can help you (or someone else -- imagine that!) identify which box goes with each item years in the future. Having "dealt with" deceased relatives' collections of various things, I want to make it as easy as possible for anyone in the future to understand what's what. Including a precise item mass provides an additional point of verification.
I also write a summary on the outer paper or tuck a piece of a post-it note under the himo. That way, I don't have to open it up.
If you want to go crazy, you can also create a spreadsheet with these details and more. Assigning each piece a unique ID and referencing that on the info card is probably wise.
I keep all my tomobako stacked in a cardboard box. I also keep the original packaging material (paper, bubble wrap, etc) inside each tomobako.