noun
small box for valuables; personal casket
A small, often decorative box used to store personal valuables such as jewelry, letters, or keepsakes. The term can evoke a traditional or antique feel.
祖母の手箱には古い手紙が入っていた。
My grandmother's small box contained old letters.
小箱 is a general term for any small box, while 手箱 specifically implies a box for personal valuables, often kept close at hand.
Compound of 手 (te, 'hand') and 箱 (hako, 'box'), literally 'hand box', referring to a box kept at hand for personal items.