An Unusually Shaped Boro Zokin: Layers

mid twentieth century
11" x 17", 28 cm x 43 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 shows a densely sashiko stitched zokin, a few layers thick, whose irregular shape is the result of the scraps of cloth used to make the dustrag and the lack of interest on the maker's part to organize the design of the zokin based on right angles.

Delightful and fantastic.