Moth
Vintage Japanese Rag Ball
Details
This vintage Japanese rag ball was hand-formed from tightly wound strips of recycled cotton fabric, reflecting Japan's long tradition of reusing every precious scrap of cloth. Rather than being decorative temari embroidery, this is a simple, utilitarian rag ball—likely made as a child's toy, a household sewing aid, or from leftover textile remnants. Layers of faded kimono fabrics and soft cotton strips create a beautiful, organic surface rich in texture and history.
Each visible layer hints at the colorful fabrics hidden beneath, making it a sculptural textile object that celebrates the Japanese philosophy of mottainai—wasting nothing. Display it in a bowl, on a shelf, or as part of a collection of antique Japanese folk textiles.
Diameter approximately 3"
