This is a craft item known as "magewappa" (famous in Odate, Akita Prefecture), made by bending thin strips of cedar wood. There are lacquered and unlacquered versions, with the lacquered ones seemingly better at preserving the contents. The item is new and unused, but any chips are from the manufacturing process, and the fact that lacquer is applied over them indicates they weren't made later. It has been stored in a cabinet with doors, so it's in very good condition, with no damage or cracks. ★Thank you. #★Thank you.