A Zokin or Traditional Dust Rag: Colorful

mid twentieth century
9 3/4" x 10 1/4", 24.75 cm x 26 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 of shows a beautifully colored and patterned zokin that is made of cotton and what appears to be a silky, probably rayon, fabric which is seen on the upper left quarter of the face of the zokin.

Very nice vertical rows of sashiko stitching add to the charm of this desirable little folk textile.