A Wide Sakabukuro: Completely Hand Stitched

early twentieth century
32 1/2" x 12", 82.5 cm x 30.5 cm

This is a nice example of a sakabukuro or sake filter as it shows handsomely and sparely applied mending stitches to the front and back of the bag, the stitches varying in tone and color.

This bag is unlike others in that it is slightly wider than most, seems to be made of hand woven cloth and it is completely hand stitched.

Sakabukuro, or sake straining bags, are a wonderful class of boro textiles. Made of cotton 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 good looking sakabukuro with good age.

Recommended.