A Large Cotton Komebukuro: Drawstring, Piece-Constructed Bag

early to mid twentieth century
as shown: 10" x 14" x 14", 25.5 cm x 35.5 cm x 35.5 cm

This lovely and large drawstring bag is hand sewn from 16 pieces of Japanese cottons, all but one is hand loomed. It shows an assortment of woven stripes, kasuri or ikat, and plaid cloth.  The green colored cotton drawstring seems original to the bag and one or two of the cotton loops through which the drawstring is threaded are missing. 

This kind of piece-constructed, drawstring bag is often referred to as a komebukuro.  

Komebukuro are bags that were used to bring token offerings of uncooked rice or beans to a temple or shrine festival, the piecing and patching often being thought-out and planned, for festive effect.  

 A marvelous bag, it is one that shows a good range of hand loomed cottons with a bit of repair--it is an object that beautifully recalls the spirit of old Japan.