A Layered Zokin: Large Scale Design Fragment

mid twentieth century
8 1/2" x 13", 21.5 cm x 33 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 commercially produced cotton base cloth with a fragment of a large, graphic image printed on it, with a reverse of grey printed cotton showing a repeat flower pattern.  Very nice sashiko stitching overall.

Really lovely.