A Vibrantly Colored Komebukuro: Drawstring Bag

ca. mid to late twentieth century
as shown: 12" x 7" x 7", 30.5 cm x 18 cm x 18 cm

This lovely drawstring bag is hand sewn from about nine separate pieces of Japanese cottons, two of which are cotton flannel, a type of imported cloth that first appeared in Japan in the late 19th century .  The cotton drawstring seems original to the bag.

This kind of piece-constructed, drawstring bag is often referred to as a komebukuro. 

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 often being thought-out and planned, for festive effect.  

A marvelous bag, it is one that shows a really lovely and good range of hand loomed and commercially produced cottons--it is an object that beautifully recalls the spirit of Japan.

Vibrant, lovely, and in good condition.