(Work In Progress)
Links on Japanese Embroidery:
Kurenai-kai (USA: Japanese Embroidery Center) 紅会: Based in Chiba, Japan and Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The embroidery style is elaborate with fine stylized and geometrical details. Superimposed embroidery is one of the special features in many of its works. Kurenai-kai in Japan has workshop lessons starting in May in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Japanese Embroidery Center in the USA has workshops in its headquarters in Atlanta, and there are also certified teachers across the US who offer lessons as well.
Blue Bonnet Studios: Japanese silk and bead embroidery classes In Houston, Texas, as well as other locations in the US. Ms. Mary Alice Sinton, the owner of the studio, is a certified teacher of Japanese Embroidery Center mentioned above. The annual Blue Bonnet Studio Time in Austin, Texas is a very enjoyable event where various needlecraft are featured in the multi-day workshops.
Atelier “Kusano Shizuka” アトリエ草乃しずか: Ms. Kusano is a well-known embroiderer who has authored many books on Japanese embroidery. My personal opinion is that Ms. Kusano’s style has modern twist with vibrant, playful color combinations. She has workshop lessons in several locations around Japan. The class in Yokohama is held in NHK Culture Center in Landmark Plaza. (Membership in NHK Culture Center is required: new students are accepted in May and October)
Nakamura Shishu 中村刺繍: in Kyoto, Japan. Has internet shop for embroidery kits, silk threads, books and hosts workshops (Kyoto, Nishimiya, and Nagoya) and exhibitions. Ms. Nakamura also has 3-day mini-workshop in Yokohama as well. Kyoto style embroidery, I think is delicate and of course, very traditional.
Midori Matsushima: Ms. Matsushima is based in the United Kingdom. Her website provides embroidery kits and supplies. She also holds multi-day workshops annually in the Blue Bonnet Studio Time mentioned above. I found her style is more towards the realistic depiction of nature and has a softer feel to it.
Fumi Oki: in Tokyo. Ms. Oki has a studio in Tokyo and her embroidery kits are featured in mail-order craft catalog Couturier. Her designs are cute and modern. The kit comes with ready-twisted silk threads and pre-printed pattern on silk.
The following are some of my work:
Above: “Bouquet from the Heart of Japan” (Phase I work, completed in 2013). Design copyrighted by Japanese Embroidery Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Above: Furoshiki/ Fukusa with Good Luck Designs of Plum, Pine, and kinchaku (money purse) (Phase III work completed in 2014). Design copyrighted by Shizuka Kusano.
Above: Flower Raft (Work in progress). Design copyrighted by Midori Matsushima.
Above: Sakura Box (Phase II work, completed in 2014). Design copyrighted by Shizuka Kusano.
Life in Honmoku, Yokohama, Japan 