WWII Japanese Belt of 1000 Stitches-This is made of a cotton material. The white fabric is folded over to create the belt or sash. There is some discoloration and age toning, but overall, it’s still in very good condition. The knots on this belt are a bright red color. This belt has no ties. It measures 38 inches (96.52cm) long and 6 inches wide (15.24cm). There are a few spots of discoloration, and a few coins stitched into the belt for good luck.
The handiwork put into these belts that display the sentiments of the women who made them is remarkable. A Senninbari (千人針 thousand-person-stitches) or One-thousand stitch belt is traditionally made by a wife, who gathers 1000 women together and each woman put a French knot or a stitch on a belt that may measure 75 inches or more in length.
Each end of the belt (sash) may or may not have strings, snaps or buttons that allow it to be fastened about the waist. These Senninbari were given as an amulet by women to soldiers on their way to war as a part of the Shinto culture of Imperial Japan.
We are not sure of its intended use. It’s possible it was folded up and kept with the soldier as a good luck charm or even used as a scarf. Regardless of how it was worn or kept, the sentiments for a safe return from the war are imbued into this keepsake.