A Sashiko Stitched Cotton Cloth: Shippo Tsunagi

late twentieth century or contemporary
12 1/2" x 15 3/4", 31.5 cm x 40 cm

This subtle and beautifully stitched small cloth seems to be a traditional cotton hand towel called a tenugui which is folded over and completely sashiko stitched in the interlocking circles or shippo tsunagi motif.

The tenugui base shows a resist dyed image of oak leaves set in an area of soft grey while the other side shows kanji or Chinese characters.

Still seen are faint pencil tracery lines meant to guide the sashiko stitching, and this small accessory is beautifully rich and subtle in detail.