A Small, Layered Boro Zokin: Rough Patches and Stitching
$20.00 USD
mid twentieth century
8" x 9 1/2", 20 cm x 24 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 small, boro example is about three layers thick and is patched together from a dark colored cotton cloth, striped and plain. Note the lovely patches, the roughed-up surface and the crude sashiko stitching.
Charming.
