A Very "Leathery" and Beautifully Mended Sakabukuro: Large Scale Stitching

early twentieth century
29 1/2" x 10 1/2", 75 cm x 27 cm

Sakabukuro, or sake straining bags, are beautiful boro textiles. Made of cotton which is saturated with green persimmon tannin, or kaki shibu--which gives the distinctive brown color and leathery finish--this utilitarian textile was used in sake making.

Crude sake, or sake lees, was placed in this bag and pressure was applied to squeeze out and filter the liquid. Repeated use required repeated mending and we see the wonderful stitches applied for this purpose.  

This is a very, very good  example of a sakabukuro. It has been heavily and repeatedly saturated with kaki shibu and the result is a leathery, glossy, very stiff surface of deep, rich color: the sakabukuro is unyielding to the touch; this is a wonderful attribute.

It also shows beautiful mending in the form of a strong stitches done in thick thread and in large scale relative to the size of the bag. The bottom of the bag is particularly notable for its compressed and lavish stitching, so please do have a look.

This is a handsome sakabukuro with very attractive, complex mending and most enjoyable for its large scale stitching and its glossy sheen.

Recommended.