Indigo Blue Kinchaku

Description

A “Kinchaku” is basically a small drawstring bag created originally for carrying money or small objects. When one was wearing a kimono, they were attached to the obi/sash at the waist. They were often made of leather, but they were also made of an assortment of fabrics in brightly colored patterns. Today, they continue to have a practical use with similar aesthetics.

I hand dyed the cotton for this bag in indigo dye and the lining was dyed red. The surface of the outer layer has been stamped and stenciled with Japanese imagery and the character “aka” meaning red.

The bag is basically square and measures 8 in. x 7.5 in. and has 2 small side pockets on both sides of the purse. It is fully lined with cotton, black drawstrings decorated with wooden beads.

Added on Oct 08, 2009