A Boro Zokin: Dust Rag

early twentieth century
8 1/2" x 11 1/2", 21.5 cm x 29 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 re-purposing or recycling of cloth is concerned.

This zokin is a few layers thick and is made of old cotton cloth. It is sashiko stitched in a loosely executed grid pattern. The white stitches over the pieced cotton base is beautiful--as are the two very distinct sides.

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