History & Background
information
Although little known
outside Japan until about 1986, traditional Japanese embroidery has
been an integral part of Japan's culture for over a thousand years.
Now refined and perfected far beyond its origins, traditional Japanese
embroidery is a unique reflection of a millennium of consensus of
thought. Drawing from earlier periods of history, the design motifs
and colour schemes have meanings of their own. Appropriate designs and
colours are selected according to the age of the wearer, the season of
use, or to symbolize traditional themes, legends and classical
Japanese literature.
Today this tradition is handed down
through the Kurenai-Kai community in Japan, the Japanese Embroidery
Center: Kurenai-Kai Ltd. in Atlanta, and Japanese Embroidery UK.
Kurenai-Kai in Japan was founded by the late Master Iwao Saito.
Together with tutors in Britain, America, Canada, New Zealand and
Australia, they have begun the work of conveying the knowledge and
love of this beautiful art to other countries.
Traditional Japanese
embroidery is worked with the finest quality silk and metallic
threads, almost always on a silk background. The fabric is mounted on
a frame which is made according to a design used for over a thousand
years. It is held drum-tight and, because of this, tension can be kept
on the threads to enhance the shine. The thread is reeled filament
silk, used flat or twisted by hand to a variety of sizes and degree of
twist. The metallics are Japanese gold or silver in several sizes,
twisted around a thread core and held in place on the work by couching
with a fine silk thread.
Traditional
Japanese Embroidery is taught over an initial ten Phases from basic
stitches to the entire range of forty-six basic traditional
techniques, such as laying foundations; working veins, stamen and
branches, special effects and superimposed work on an embroidered
foundation; gold and silver thread work; braided cords; padding; long
and short stitch; laying stiches in the weft valleys in silk faille
fabric; culminating in the execution of a special work designed to
incorporate all these techniques.
There are also larger
classes held several times a year, details on our Home Page. These
classes are multi level, run for four or five days, depending upon
venue, and are either day or residential. These classes are held in
spring and autumn.
Japanese embroidery is
as much an art as a discipline and some students may find the classes
very different from those previously attended. Because of the
intricacy of the stitches and the techniques, talking is kept to a
minimum so that students may concentrate on their stitching and learn
to master the handling of silk and metallic threads in order to
achieve the desired beauty. While this quietness may seem strange in
the beginning, students often find that this enables them to produce
higher quality work than they have previously managed. For students
who continue on the path to mastery, the study of Japanese embroidery
offers a time for quiet reflection, the opportunity to gain an
understanding of the underlying culture and to share the legacy of
beauty.
Costs
& Materials
The
initial outlay for Phase 1 is relatively high but is inclusive of all
the essential equipment as well as the chosen initial design piece and
all materials. The majority of the equipment and tools are handmade to
specific design and the silk fabric, reeled silks and metallic threads
are from Japan and of the highest quality.
For Phase 1 students, there is a facility available to pay for all
equipment and materials in instalments over the months preceding the
first class.
The initial materials required will be:
HANAZUME
|
|
15" x 15"
silk kimono fabric with 6" x 6" design, attached cotton
fabric, lacing thread, design paper, instruction sheet and photograph
|
£90.00 |
Set of 9 flat
silk colours, #1 gold, couching silk |
£88.00 |
Traditional
Japanese frame (no other is acceptable) |
£85.00 |
Tekobari
(stroking needle) |
£19.50 |
Awl |
£
8.60 |
Set of
handmade and machine made needles |
£39.00 |
Finishing and
protective papers and wheat paste |
£
2.00 |
Brush, dish
and shell powder |
£
5.00
|
TOTAL |
£337.10 |
Prices are correct as at June 2015 but may
change without notice due to market costs, Customs Duty, postage and VAT
Also
available to purchase before course:
Set of metric gridded squares - £5.50
Cotton Velvet for pad - £2.00
To keep your embroidery
protected, we also have for sale pure silk frame covers made from
exquisite kimono silk. Sizes are for 29" and 39" Japanese
embroidery frames.
An alternative
design for Phase I is HANAKAGO
(Flower Basket)
As Hanazume except for:
15" x 15" silk kimono fabric with
8" x 10",design attached on cotton fabric, lacing thread,
design paper, instruction sheet and photograph.
Set of 10 flat silk colours.
Cost for Hanakago Phase I set: £345.10
NB: This is not a commercial
enterprise. We are private individuals who study Japanese embroidery and
require these items for our own use. The majority of these items are
impossible to find in the UK and, having sourced them, we are happy to
assist other Japanese embroidery enthusiasts and individuals who wish to
study or try Japanese embroidery.
Class
Schedule 2024
NEW VENUE IN WEST SUSSEX
At present a new venue is being sought in West Sussex.
In the meantime, tuition may be booked for 1 or 2 people at my home in Rustington.
To arrange please contact Margaret Lewis, japembsensei@hotmail.co.uk
Lytham St. Annes Classes
11-14 April 2024.
This four day class caters for all levels of tuition for both JEA modules and JEC phases and advanced/challenge designs.
Class fee £240.
13-14 April 2024.
A weekend introduction to Traditional Japanese Embroidery designed to give students a brief insight into some of the techniques used in Japanese embroidery.
At the end of the weekend students will have a piece of work which they will be able to complete at home.
Class fee £120
Students may work on after class, but teaching hours are 9.30-4.30.
To book a place for either class, or for more information please contact, info@nejiribana.co.uk
Classes will be held at the Glendower Hotel, Lytham St Annes, 01253 723241.
Rooms should be booked directly with the hotel, please let them know you have booked for the class.