Japanese Embroidery
Japanese Embroidery is a very ancient needlework tradition with Chinese roots. But it spread to Japan and from there to the world over. It has been defined by Master Iwao Saito as involving mastery in 46 techniques through a series of ten phases using embroidery designs. A lot of patterns and tools are used in this embroidery. It requires silk fabric, laced to a frame and stitched with silk and metal threads for a great impact.
These designs can be procured through shelf or internet at affordable prices. These designs include flowers and plants in different seasons. From Cherry blossoms in spring to chrysanthemums in summer to maple leaves in fall and pine in winters, all kinds of colorful and beautiful aspects of nature are covered. Most of the experienced Japanese Embroidery artists mostly lace and tighten the silk fabric to a stitching frame, make a twisted silk thread and work on it, to get a great design.
In many patterns, there is also a small amount of gold work. A very popular example of that is an Ume flower, which is always worked in gold. It’s first few stranded are embroidered in orange and the rest are done up in startling gold.
Originally, Japanese Embroidery has been used to create magic on Japan’s national dress – the Kimono, especially for the wedding occasions. Using silk floss and variations of many stitches, including long-and-short stitch and satin stitch, huge motifs were built on the dresses to make them look rich and opulent.