A Layered, Large Zokin: Traditional Dustrag

mid twentieth century
12 1/4" x 12 1/4", 31 cm x 31 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 rustically sashiko stitched zokin hand made from tones of dark indigo colored, machine loomed cloth and stitched white thread on one side while the reverse is a brown colored cotton that is designed in a very small check. The zokin is about four layers thick and is of good size and good weight.

Really lovely.