A Striped Zokin: Sashiko Stitched

ca. early to mid twentieth century
12" x 12", 30 cm x 30 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 zokin is really lovely as it is made from beautifully striped hand loomed cotton on one side, and a kind of distressed (maybe commercially produced) cotton on the other.  On the striped side, the stitching beautifully follows the stripes woven in the cloth.