Small 3-drawer 7-1/2" high chest with asian writing - can anyone translate?

Can anyone translate the writing on the back of this tiny chest? It looks like quite an old piece, maybe for spices, but I'm confused about the lock on the lower drawer (and what that drawer would have been for). The chest measures 7-1/2 inches high, 5-3/4 inches wide, and 7 inches deep. There are some letters on the front, at the right side, with more extensive writing on the back of the chest. Thank you! ... Dave

 

Chinese? Medicines maybe too. It's got a ventilation hole in the back, so I'm doubting spices.

 

Hi,
looks like a Chinese pharmacy chest or tea chest. The lock looks like it was added later. Is there any lingering aromas??
greg

 

No, no odors, but some debris that looked dried noodles in multiple colors.

 

I didn't think so at first, but went back and took another look. The top edge of that drawer looks modified, so I think you are correct.

 

It may have been added with the lock. Each drawer fits in its own compartment, so the ventilation hole only works for the bottom drawer (there is no air flow to the other drawers from the hole location).

 

I think the hole in the back is a push hole. Notice there is no knob to pull to open the drawer. Presumably you might be able to pull with the key. But if what ever was in the drawer was heavy you might have needed to push.

 

This is a Japanese 金庫 kin ko, usually called a money box in English. It's marked with a date in 35 Meiji (1902) and an address in Kyoto. Easy to Google "meiji money box."

 

Cool! Looks like a neat thing to store small stuff.

 

Thank you!

 

You could probably find an old-fashioned locksmith to make a key that fits. My husband still impressions and we collect keys from yard sales and flea markets. People come in all the time with antique chests and cabinets and he makes keys by impression for $16.00. It's probably worth more in some places, but he likes doing it.

 

Thanks Bev, we'll probably offer it without the key, but it is good to know that one can be made. Should be especially easy since the whole lock can be taken to the locksmith. We have a key collection here too, so might even have one around here that fits.