A Black and White Chuusen Dyed Zokin: Pulsing Grid

mid twentieth century
11" x 10 1/2", 28 cm x 26.5 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 wonderfully sashiko stitched zokin which is a few layers thick and is stitched together from a beautifully hand dyed cotton cloth, probably chuusen dyed, the pattern having an optical effect of light and shadow.

Just wonderful.