A Silk Komebukuro: Piece-Constructed Bag

mid twentieth century
as shown: 8 1/2" x 12" x 12", 21.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 30.5 cm

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 which comprise the bag often being thought-out and planned, for festive effect.

This hand stitched silk creation is a lovely example.  It is composed of 13 separate pieces of silk, most of which seem to be made in the mid twentieth century.  The colors of the silks are strong and saturated, as is the royal blue chirimen or crepe silk piece that is on the bottom of the bag.

The drawstring is intact and is original to the bag, as are the loops that hold it.   It is lined in cotton.

This is a very good-looking, brightly colored and festive komebukuro, which shows good use of using fragments of recycled cloth.

Lovely.