An Indigo Dyed Cotton Zokin: Small Boro Textile

mid twentieth century
11" x 13 1/2", 28 cm x 34.25 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 a beautiful, miniature boro textile: it shows very nice wear and abrasion and its small mending and stitching are gorgeous and subtle.

Wonderful.