A Large and Beautifully Stitched Zokin: Persimmon Flower Design
mid twentieth century
12" x 14 1/2", 30.5 cm x 37 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 very attractive zokin is a few layers thick and is sashiko stitched in the traditional persimmon flower pattern: the white stitches over the kasuri dyed cotton is beautifully done, and the cloth seems to have been used lightly, giving it an earthy quality.
A wonderful zokin with superb stitching.