A Reversible Hemp Lined Cotton Boro Bag: Antique

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
23" x 11 1/4", 58.5 cm x 28.5 cm

This bag seems to have some good age, and judging by the the type and quality of cloth used to construct it, it seems very likely that it was made in the Meiji era (1868 - 1912) or maybe slightly before.

It has been well-used and has been destroyed and mended over time as can easily be seen here by the mending to the bottom of the bag which is illustrated in the photos attached here.

The proper exterior is made of a lovely indigo dyed cotton hand woven plaid cloth; the interior is lined in a rough, indigo dyed hemp or ramie fabric which shows stains and traces of being used as a lining for decades.

What is nice about it is its still sturdy construction, its handsome plaid cloth and the nice, thick, hemp or ramie cord which seems original to the bag.

A really lovely everyday textile from old Japan.