A Wide Striped Cotton Zokin: Traditional Dustrag

mid twentieth century
10 1/2" x 12", 26.5 cm x 30.5 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 example shows asashiko stitched zokin, a few layers thick which is stitched together from what appears to be commercially produced striped cotton in subtle tones of blue, grey and white.

Elegant.