A Stitched Zokin: Kasuri Cotton

ca. early to mid twentieth century
13" x 14", 33 cm x 35.5 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 particular piece is pieced and patched from a lovely indigo dyed kasuri cotton and it is sashiko stitched all over in a grid pattern.  The kasuri cloth is pieced, as can be seen in the accompanying photos.

Just lovely--and subtle.