A Printed Cotton Zokin: Kanji

mid twentieth century
10 1/2" x 12 1/2", 26.5 cm x 32 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 example shows a commercially produced, grey colored, cotton base cloth, that is printed with a basket weave pattern, small plovers or chidori, and some prominently placed kanji or Chinese characters.  Very nice sashiko stitching overall.

Really lovely.