A Mat of Two Splayed Sakabukuro: Sake Making Filters

mid twentieth century
30" x 34", 76 cm x 86.5 cm

This is a mat of some sort that is stitched from two splayed sakabukuro.

Sakabukuro, or sake straining bags, are usually made of cotton which has been 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 mending. and we see the wonderfully odd stitches applied for this purpose.  

The two sakabukuro that comprise this mat are lightly stitched and in fairly good condition with good color. In good, used condition.

An unusual application of sakabukuro and something that can easily be transformed into an object for home decor.

Wonderful.