Kiri-bako were prized in humid Japan for their resilience against changes in humidity, as well as for being lightweight, flame-retardant, and insect-resistant. As high-quality paulownia wood was produced in Yamagata, it was used to create boxes for storing stoneware. Although kiri-bako have lost their former popularity to other mass-produced goods, there are still 5 factories which produce paulownia boxes.

Paulownia boxes have beautiful grain and tinge, giving them a sense of high-class, and making them well suited to preserving objects of art. Also, as they are lightweight, they are good for packaging gifts.