A Boro Sakabukuro: White Patches on a Pale Ground

A sakabukuro is a straining bag used in sake production.   Crude sake, or sake lees, is poured into this bag. The sealed bag is then subjected to pressure and the sake is forced out, having been once-filtered.

The bag is made of a kind of commercially produced cotton canvas which has been saturated with kaki shibu, or green persimmon tannin.

This bag is beautifully mended with white cotton thread and two white cotton patches.  Note the small tear to the bottom of the bag and the small stain on one side.