A Sashiko Stitched Figured Zokin: Mountain Pattern Stitching

mid twentieth century
7" x 12", 17.75 cm x 30.5 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 wonderfully sashiko stitched zokin which is a few layers thick and is stitched together from a pale, figured cotton showing a very faded, blue-on-white design.  The stitching on the zokin is done in a zigzag fashion and is knows as the "mountain" pattern.

Just wonderful.