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Welcome  The Tsukubai, the stone wash basin for the tea room at Ryoanji Temple, has an inscription that speaks to all followers of Japanese arts: "I learn only to be contented." He who learns only to be contented is spiritually rich, while the one who does not learn to be contented is spiritually poor, even if he is materially wealthy. This concept is important in the Zen philosophy. Venerable Maple Stitched by Carol Brown The Venerable Maple evokes not only the age of the tree but also the constant renewal of life. This design is stitched on double width black gold fabric, which has a warp of black silk and a weft of fine strands of gold leafed paper alternated with black silk threads.  |
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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.
Photo Galleries
Phase 1-5
Phase 6-10
Advanced
Non Phase Design
Embroidery Course Phase Designs
More Japanese Embroidery Designs
Photographs of tutors’ and students’
work, both in progress and completed, can be seen in the other galleries on this page.
Classes and Shows
Classes 2014
Local wildlife to look out for: Heron, Cormorant and Swan Cygnets
Local wildlife to look out for: Heron, Cormorant and Swan Cygnets
Japan Trip 2006
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Contact Us
For class information, events, and advice on designs, silks and all supplies:
Margaret Lewis
Graduate Tutor (1996)
Japanese Embroidery Center: Japanese
Embroidery UK
e-mail: japembsensei@hotmail.co.uk
Denise Foster
Authorised Tutor (2006)
Japanese Embroidery Center: Japanese Embroidery UK
e-mail: denisefoster49@hotmail.com
In close association with and in support of
JAPANESE EMBROIDERY CENTER
2727 SPALDING DRIVE,
DUNWOODY, ATLANTA,
GEORGIA 30350-4623
TEL: 001 770 390 0617
FAX: 001 770 512 7937
Website: www.japaneseembroidery.com
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 2020
Class Schedule South of England, Alton, Hampshire
Spring 2020
Special Class with Midori Matsushima
Saturday, March 14 - Monday, March 16.
Arriving on Friday, March 13
One place still available. Contact M. Lewis to check.
JEUK class
Tuesday, March 17 - Thursday, March 19
numbers dependent
Autumn 2020
Friday, October 16 - Tuesday, October 20.
Arriving on Thursday, October 15
It will once more take
place at The Angel, Gosport Road, Alton, GU34 3NN Tel: 01730 828111
Although students may work on after class, each
teaching day is from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Please contact us to book the class and ring the
hotel for room availability.
When making your hotel reservation please mention
that you are part of our course.
Bookings can be extended if desired.
The dinner, bed and
breakfast cost for 2019 will be £89 per night.
Please make your
course booking and payment through M. Lewis at Japanese Embroidery UK
(see Contact Us)
North of England, Garstang, Preston, Lancashire
Spring 2020
Thursday, April 16 - Sunday, April 19
Autumn 2020
Thursday, November 5 - Sunday, November 8
Although students may work on after class, each
teaching day is from 10.00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: The Crofters Hotel, New Road (A6), Garstang,
PR3 1PH Tel: 01995 604128
When making your hotel reservation please mention
that you are part of our course as a special price has been arranged
Please make your course booking and payment through D. Foster, at Japanese Embroidery UK (see Contact Us)
FEES
South of England
The cost for the course, five days’ tuition,
with tea and coffee twice daily, will be £175.
Non resident fees are £175 for five days
tuition.
North of England
The cost of the course, four days’ tuition,
with tea and coffee twice daily, will be £200.
Non resident fees are £200 for four days’
tuition.
More Information
For class information:
For Bournemouth please ring Margaret Lewis
on tel:01903 773451
email japembsensei@hotmail.co.uk
For Garstang please ring Denise Foster on
tel: 01747 826407
email denisefoster49@hotmail.com
LINKS to other interesting sites
www.japaneseembroideryuk.com &
www.japaneseembroideryuk.academy
The website is the Copyright © of Japanese Embroidery UK 2000-2020, and its design content is the Copyright © of Japanese Embroidery Center, USA. All rights reserved.
Latest update: June 17th, 2020
The website is the Copyright © of Japanese Embroidery UK 2000-2020, and its design content is the Copyright © of Japanese Embroidery Center, USA. All rights reserved.
Latest update: June 17th, 2020