A Piece Constructed Work Vest: Sodenashi

early twentieth century
26 1/2" x 18", 67 cm x 45.5 cm

This is a sleeveless work garment called a sodenashi in Japan; sodenashi means "without sleeves."

It is sturdily made from re-purposed cottons: two striped types for the outside and solid blue cotton on the inside. They are faded from age and wear. The sodenashi is tightly stitched together and is still very durable; it still has a lot of life left in it.

This type of garment is a typical one used for work and others of a similar style could have been made of materials different than the recycled cotton as this one is. Other type of sodenashi were made of rag woven cloth or of natural bast fibers such as hemp or Japanese indigenous materials.

A good-looking work garment still very wearable and a very good example of traditional work wear from old Japan.