A Patched, Undyed Hemp Tsunobukuro: "Horn" Bag

early to mid twentieth century
31 1/2" x 14 1/2", 80 cm x 37 cm 

This is a tsunobukuro, or horn bag, so called because of its strange appearance: this bag is fashioned from one length of cloth hand sewn on the bias, the result of this construction are two "horns" which appear at the top of the bag.

This particular tsunobukuro is hand stitched from undyed woven hemp cloth and it is shown inside-out in order to reveal the hemp patches which were stitched to the inside of the bag.

Because this bag was used for storage or for hauling, it is made of very scratchy, rough hemp cloth which was woven from crude, wiry fibers.

For the serious collector of  old Japanese of rural cloth and utilitarian, functional fabrics, this bag is a welcome addition to your collection both for its condition and its type.

Recommended.

A beautifully simple tsunobukuro.