A Large-Sized Zokin: Complex Stitching in Two Colors

early to mid twentieth century
13 1/4" x 17 3/4", 33.5 cm x 45.5 cm

A zokin is a traditional Japanese dust cloth or cleaning rag; it is usually made from old pieces of cloth and it is usually layered and stitched for durability. 

Along with diapers, zokin are among the traditional household textiles that represent the end of the line where the repurposing or recycling of cloth is concerned.

This large-sized zokin is a few layers thick and is made from recycled cotton cloth. It is sashiko stitched in a loosely executed diamond pattern: the white stitches over the dark cotton base is beautiful, and pay attention to the counter stitching done in dark thread which is a subtle foil to the white stitches.

A wonderful boro zokin with a very good old cotton cloth.