A Large, Square Zokin: Many Stitches

mid twentieth century
14" x 13 3/4", 35.5 cm x 35 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 large, square-shaped zokin is a few layers thick and is made of commercially milled dark colored cotton cloth. It is sashiko stitched in a concentrically winding square pattern of tight stitches.

A wonderful zokin.