A Dark Blue Cotton Zokin: Grid and X

ca. mid twentieth century
10 1/2" x 13", 26.5 cm x 33 cm

Zokin are traditional Japanese dustrags which are almost always made from layered and sashiko stitched scraps of cloth.

This is a very handsome zokin which is sewn from recycled cotton cloth, probably about four layers in all, and is notable for the central, hand stitched "X" which dominates this every-day cloth.  The cotton is a very dark indigo, almost black and the mending stitch to the proper, right hand side shows a closure that indicates this cloth may be a recycled kimono.

Graphic and appealing.