A Boro Zokin: Stitched and Patched

mid twentieth century
9 1/4" x 13 1/4", 23.5 cm x 33.5 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 boro example is two layers thick and is patched together from a dark, striped cotton cloth. Note the lovely patches, the roughed-up surface and the loose grid of sashiko stitching.

Charming.