A Large Boro Zokin: Elaborate Piecing

mid twentieth century
19" x 11", 48 cm x 28 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 one is wonderfully pieced and stitched from left over cottons: it almost looks like a miniature, boro futon cover.  It shows a sophisticated arrangement of cloth pieces, composed in a completely unselfconscious way.

Beautiful.