A Large Komebukuro: Piece Constructed Cotton Drawstring Bag

early twentieth century
14" x 13" x 13", 35.5 cm x 33 cm x 33 cm

This is a large or oversized hand stitched drawstring bag, sometimes referred to as a komebukuro or "rice bag" since similar, smaller types were used to carry offerings of dried rice or beans to temple or shrine festivals.

This particular piece was probably not a komebukuro but more than likely it is  a bag intended to have been used every day for practical purposes.

It is composed of about 15 or so individual pieces of cotton cloth in patterns of stripe and kasuri. 

The hefty drawstring is slipped through a series of loops of string, a few of which are missing but do not impact the closure of the bag. The hefty, twined cotton drawstring seems original to the bag.

A beautifully unusual thing for its good size, for its age and for the wonderful combination of cottons used to create this bag.

Recommended.