A Marvelous 19th Century Komebukuro: Old Faded Cottons

ca. late nineteenth century
as shown: 8" x 10" x 10", 20 cm x 25.5 cm x 25.5 cm

This is a superb, earthy and beautiful old komebukuro or rice bag; it is composed of about thirty individual pieces of cotton, some of which are the small figure Edo komon cloth, and benibana or safflower dyed cotton.

The bag is entirely hand stitched using thick, cotton thread; the stitches are quite easily seen and are boldly stabbed into the cloth.  If you turn the bag inside-out, this stitching is quite obvious--and beautiful.

The bag is heavily worn and is patched an repaired in areas.  Komebukuro were bags made from arranged scraps of cloth, the arrangement planned in order to convey a celebratory air: they were used to carry a token gift of dry rice or beans to offer at temples and shrines during festivals.

This komebukuro is wonderful for its age, its distinctive, pale coloration and its beautiful stitching.  The drawstring is original to the bag.

Recommended.