A Komebukuro or Rice Bag: Re-purposed Cotton Pieces

early to mid twentieth century
10" x 8" x 8", 25.5 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm

This kind of piece-constructed, drawstring bag is referred to as a komebukuro.  

Komebukuro are bags that were used to bring token offerings of uncooked rice or beans to a temple or shrine festival, the piecing and patching often being thought-out and planned for festive effect.

This good sized bag is hand stitched of over a dozen pieces of cotton of various types, with the inclusion of a piece of pilled, used flannel. As well, note the indigo dyed cotton section with the sashiko stitched name. The bag closes with a drawstring which seems original to the bag which is threaded through a channel at the top of the bag.

The bag is entirely lined with a dull purple toned cotton.

The overall effect is handsome and the choice of cloth used to create this komebukuro is well-selected.

A really lovely komebukuro of good size.