Feature

Japanese Embroidery

Nancy JirtleSometimes, we receive more than we ask for. Such was the case earlier this year when my husband traveled to Japan. Instead of returning with a fibre project as I had requested, he returned with a magnificent Japanese obi (the sash worn around the kimono), a gift from his host's grandmother-in-law. While my husband protested accepting such a special family possession, his host firmly insisted that he accept and enjoy it.

The pre-WWII obi is black with lovely soft shades of rose, green, and yellow silk embroidery. The beauty of the stitching, the fibres, and the colors is quite remarkable. This unexpected and generous gift lead me to an exploration of Japanese embroidery.

The fashion demand that kept Japanese embroidery important for generations was the perpetual need for beautiful kimonos and obis. Different styles and designs were required for different occasions, seasons, and ages. After WWII, however, Western wear gradually eclipsed the dominance of the kimono and obi in Japanese fashion.

This major change coupled with machine embroidery could have brought about the complete demise of Japanese embroidery. Fortunately, Japanese artisans with a vision for the preservation of this significant fibre art tradition have established Japanese embroidery centers for the teaching of this needlework technique (see Review and Advice

Inside September 2001

• Feature
  :: Japanese Embroidery
  An unexpected gift leads to the exploration of Japanese embroidery
• Review
  :: The Techniques of Japanese Embroidery
  A guide to the history, techniques, and motifs of Japanese embroidery
• Advice
  :: Japanese Embroidery Center Worth A Visit
  Experience the world of Japanese embroidery in Georgia

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