Obi Clutch Purse

Mint green fans tumble off the edge as if late for something.

This is a clutch purse made from obi kimono silk. A clutch is a handbag without a strap that is carried in the hand or under the arm, and its flat shape suits cloth with a bold pattern. Black rectangular case with its pattern cropped by the edges. A pale green fan and a red-and-pale-grey fan are worked in thick thread, joined by looping green cords and a bud-shaped tassel. The flap curves smoothly across the top. It is 9 inches long, 3 deep and 7 high.

Cropped compositions take nerve, and this one has plenty.