I found this box.

I did do a translate on the Chinese wording in the box. Any ideas what it is?

 

A beautiful box, James, but I am always suspicious of Chinese boxes with that type of lining. In my experience they are newly made. Still beautiful though.

 

I expect it to say "stuff goes in here".

 

My experience with Asian box types is limited, however, a couple of aspects of this item are questionable which leads me to think it is a fairly new creation. The pivoting latch/catch appears to be of a slightly different alloy, thinner than the angle plate to which it is connected and also, the diameter of the rolled end of the strap where it is captured between the two large bosses on the front plate, is too generous, is not aesthetically appropriate and does not blend or coordinate with the other components, IMO.

 

I like the box ,it’s pretty. Don’t know much about authenticity. But Wow the length of that translation is impressive. Reads like snippets/abstracts from different articles/documents or poems. Maybe bits of temple transcripts. I don’t know ,but an interesting read.. Here we also get alot of newer Chinese stuff with this type of lining.

 

I hate to say it, but I suspect that all that "translation" post will do is to attract more Chinese spammers.

 

It's also more interesting than the box. Maybe some bot will see the Chinese text already here and leave us alone?

 

Mine is a Korean scholar's hat box. Only real similarity is that it is also lined in paper script.

Here is the post:

Asian octagonal box | Antiques Board (antiquers.com)

I suspect this one to be more similar in origin:

Can anyone help with this asian box | Antiques Board (antiquers.com)

I suspect the OP's box is a fairly mdern Chinese import. The luan plywood bottom is telling. Not sure if it has Chinese historical precedence in form but is along the lines of a letter or keepsake box.