A Stitched and Tattered Sakabukuro: Traditional Sake Filter

Sakabukuro, or sake straining bags, are beautiful boro textiles. Made of cotton which is saturated with green persimmon tannin, or kaki shibu, which gives the distinctive brown color, this utilitarian textile was used in sake making.

Crude sake, or sake lees, was placed in this bag and pressure was applied to squeeze out and filter the liquid. Repeated use required repeated mendings and we see the wonderfully odd stitches applied for this purpose.  

This is a nice example of a sakabukuro and it shows beautiful mending in the form of a strong stitches done in thick thread that appear in blocks. The bottom of the bag is well-stitched and slightly broken--and there is a tear to the top seam of the sakabukuro, evident if you look at the photos here. As well you will see mottling of the brown toned kaki shibu dye.

This is a handsome sakabukuro with simple and very attractive mending.