Antique KOMEBUKuRO - Patchwork DrawstrinG LuNCHBaG

This is a vintage japanese komebukuro. It is a patchwork drawstring bag, traditionally used as a lunch bag (thus the name 'komebukuro', which translates to rice bag, meaning food bag), but which can really be used in a lot of ways. This bag was one of a lot of three which were obviously sewn by the same hand, utilizing some of the same fabrics, as well. They often come in sets like that. This set seems to never has been used.

This old komebukuro is made of antique homespun cotton fabrics from japan, but I imagine it was sewn up in the seventies or eighties or so, due to the cord they used for the drawstring, and the pristine condition, too. Or maybe the bag was from earlier (because the fabrics are old), and the cord was added more recently? I am not sure....The fabrics are all beautiful cottons from the early twentieth century, and most likely homespun. It is an assortment of striped, plaid and kasuri cotton fabrics.

The drawstring is a thick chord, and is attached to the bag in a sturdy and interesting manner, with lighter chords. All meticulous hand work. The base of the bag folds open in an interesting way, which makes this style of bag sort of box shaped when they hang.

more photos over here

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=RCarbinEthnotextiles&set=a.4344279882367256

As I stated before, this bag is like brand new and in pristine unused condition.

The height of the body of the bag is 30 cms. The height including the strings when you have it hanging becomes about 50 cms. The base is kind of square, so it roughly hangs in a kind of 4-sided pyramid shape, like a traditional kinchaku. Komebukuro always seem to have this peculiar style of diagonally attached patches, like this does.

You might decide to patch it more, like a boro textile, or not, depending on what you plan to use it for.

This would make a very cool gift!

I have seen some used as notions bags, extra string, spools galore, that kinda thing. And if it were full, because it has the sort of square base, it would stand up. Like a small box shape.

They are also a fun style to copy, and start making your own, so this could be a 'pattern', also.

dimensions

45 cms across

30.5 cms high

Please like this komebukuro and share all over the internet, Pinterest and Facebook and Instagram.

And then buy it. : ) Please.

Thank you.