Features
The design has an upper crossbar and uprights at either side, which not only give stable support but add depth to the composition. The carved wooden panel at the centre shows the character of traditional Japanese craft, plain yet elegant, while the lower part is left open for storage, convenient for books, newspapers and magazines. A design of this kind made it one of the better domestic furnishings of its day, particularly favoured by scholars and for use in a study.
A Shōwa-period piece (1926-1989), rich in a sense of history
Solid wood throughout, sturdy and durable, with finely carved hand work
An elegant form that goes with Japanese, retro and industrial styles alike
Versatile in use: a bookshelf, a newspaper rack, a storage stand or simply an ornament
Open at the bottom, easy to reach into and to keep tidy
◆ Retro charm returns: a Shōwa-period Japanese solid wood magazine rack to give your space more character
If you like Japanese retro style, or are looking for a piece of furniture to add quality to a room, this Shōwa-period Japanese solid wood magazine rack will win you over at first sight.
This is not ordinary modern furniture but a vintage piece from the Shōwa period. Weathered by the years, it still shows fine wood grain and careful craft. The structure is firm and the hand carving delicate, so at home it is not only useful but immediately lifts the mood of the whole room. In a study, a living room, a café or a tea room, it adds a plain, unforced charm to the setting.
Besides holding books and papers, it can become your display stand — for favourite books, Japanese magazines, even tea wares — a small highlight in the room. Better still, it pairs well with other vintage furniture, fitting comfortably with both Japanese and industrial styles and showing a taste of your own.
Vintage pieces are getting harder to find, and a magazine rack that keeps this sense of history while remaining practical is all the more worth having. If you happen to be looking for a piece of furniture with some warmth to it, consider taking it home and letting a little Japanese nostalgia become part of your daily life.