An Indigo Dyed Cotton Zokin: Hemp Thread Stitching

mid twentieth century
9" x 13 1/2", 23 cm x 34 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 re-purposing or recycling of cloth is concerned.

This zokin is a few layers thick and is made of beautiful, old striped indigo cotton cloth. It is sashiko stitched using hemp thread and this feature is beautiful.

A wonderful zokin with a very good old cotton cloth and even better stitching.