A Lage Ball of Rustic Himo: Unruly Recycled Cotton Rope

This very large and unruly ball of boro rope is twisted and tied from innumerable scraps of cotton cloth--and the rope was used hard.

Imagine having old, ragged clothing and bedding, or buying rags from a rag merchant; this is the source of this hand made rope which was used for everyday tasks in old Japan, from tying goods for hauling to any number of other jobs.

The rope was used hard as can be seen best when unwound: some of the length that is contained in the center of the ball is coming undone, the two twined pieces of cloth have been untwined.  Still, it is fascinating to look at the variety of commercially produced and hand loomed cottons that comprise it--and there are a few scraps of knitted cotton as well.