A Katazome Dyed Sashiko Stitched Diaper: Boro

early to mid twentieth century
22" x 12 1/4", 56 cm x 31 cm

The charming, sashiko stitched and katazome dyed boro textile is a diaper.  Three layers of recycled indigo dyed cotton cloth were stitched together to create it, with a portion of the reverse of the diaper showing a patch of abrasion which reveals the layer in between.

The katazome dyed side is quite faded from time and from wear.  It shows a repeat pattern of stylized flowers that are sitting on a background called sayagata, a motif borrowed from China which is based in Buddhist swastikas.

Super charming, this cloth shows wonderful age and wear--and it is still very much intact as it was when it was originally made.