A Pair of Small Washi Bags: Hand Writing and Stamped

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
each: 10 1/2" x 7", 27 cm x 18 cm

This is a pair of old, washi or hand made Japanese paper bags, each one written with kanji or Chinese characters drawn in sumi or charcoal-based ink. Each bag also bears a black toned stamp.

It seems the bags were used as pouches. The pattern from wear to the piece indicates each one might have been tied about 1/4 of the way down from the top. There are stains and creasing to the bags which adds to their character.