Super Circle Set

The Super Circle Set has 21 wonderfully styled blocks with some fabulous patterns and as the name suggests plenty of circles. The circles can easily link together or can be used as the centre piece for the large ring block and there are two lovely border patterned blocks just to finish everything off.

As a SPECIAL OFFER for the month of October, we are offering a FREE set of 4 x 6″ stencils with every purchase of the Super Circle Set.

 

Super Circle Set

Garden Delight

Garden Delight

Marching Elephants

Marching Elephants

Flock of Birds

Flock of Birds

Flying Friends

Flying Friends

Intricate Designs

Intricate Designs

Floral Pods

Floral Pods

Birds and Feathers

Birds and Feathers

Patterns and Paisleys

Patterns and Paisleys

Experience Japanese Embroidery

Japanese embroidery, called ‘nihon shishu’, is a complex tradition that incorporates several different embroidery techniques that date back as far as the early Kofun period (the 5^th century by our reckoning).

The History of Japanese Embroidery

Nihon shishu was traditionally reserved for very wealthy, high status individuals. In fact, in the Heian period it was reserved for creating ceremonial religious costumes the ladies of the Imperial Court, and a few others of noble rank. However, before the Meji Era (the late 19^th and early 20^th century), it was simply called ‘nui’ or ‘sewing’.
Eventually, more and more European techniques were absorbed into traditional Japanese embroidery, and it became ever more ornate. In time it became a widely spread art form, and began to be valued for its beauty, rather than as a purely ceremonial decoration.

The Symbolism of Japanese Embroidery

• Cherry blossoms symbolise beauty and the transience of life, but also renewal.


• Peonies represent bravery, honour and good luck.


• Evergreen trees speak of winter and the new year, but also longevity and the ability to stand firm against adversity


• Chrysanthemums are symbols of the Imperial family, and also rejuvenation and regal beauty.


• Carnations mean both fascination and motherly love.


• Cranes stand for good fortune and longevity. A pair of cranes symbolises a happy marriage.


• Dragonflies are symbols of warriors, martial might and victory.


• Spiders in Japanese embroidery mean industry and productivity.


• Swallows are thought to bring good luck, fertility, and fidelity of one’s partner.


• Dragons mean prosperity, and are said to drive away evil.


• Butterflies evoke joy and prosperity, and often represent the soul.

Watch the video below to see how everybody enjoyed last years trip.

The Techniques of Nihon Shishu

To begin, the artisan makes a drawing directly on the fabric. Next, they must choose the colours of the embroidery floss to use. This selection is not merely artistic; there is a complex meaning to each colour and colour combination. Some colours are only used with certain traditional designs. Others are appropriate only for a garment worn at certain times of the year. Others are exclusive to certain ages, genders and other statuses the wearer might possess. In the end, a traditional piece of nihon shishu is more of a personal story than a garment.
The floss itself is applied using an embroidery frame, and the excess cut away. The obverse side is then coated with wheat starch and steamed, to give the floss the traditional shiny, stiff texture.
Like most other traditional Japanese crafts, Embroidery is highly regionalised. For example, Kyoto is one of the largest centres for this craft, and its distinctive style is called Kyo-nui.
There are 43 traditional embroidery methods used in nihon shishu today, and many have their own complications. Most of them involve the usual ‘passing’ technique, using a combination of metallic and silk flosses and threads. Explaining all 43 techniques would take a book – probably more than one! However, we can touch on a few:

• Rozashi is a technique that involves creating geometric shapes using straight stitches on a woven canvas. In this technique, it is important that the weave of the underlying fabric remains visible.


• Wari-Nui is a technique very similar to the European ‘split stitch’, and is used to depict leaves, flower petals and most famously the feathers of birds.


• Kyo-nui became famous during the Heian Period, and focuses on the use of silk, silver and gold threads, typically on a silk or linen backing.


• Sashiko is a type of embroidery using only a running stitch.

Exploring Nihon Shishu on a Colouricious Holiday

Of course, if there is something crafty going on out there in the world, Colouricious Holidays is there, making it possible for you to observe, learn and of course participate. We have a wide variety of different holidays to choose from, and many of them partake in a taste of nihon shishu and kio-nui.

So, would you like to learn more about traditional Japanese nihon shishu embroidery? How about learning the basics from traditional artisans as part of a Colouricious Holiday? We can help make it happen! Just contact us today at bookings@colouriciousholidays.com or at 0203 362 4114. We have a wide range of crafting holidays available, both in Japan and around the world. I’m sure we can find the perfect one for you!

You can check out all the information you need about our two wonderful trips to Japan by clicking on the buttons below.

Birds and Stencils 2

Birds and Stencils 2

Birds and Stencils 1

Birds and Stencils 1

Insects and Stencils

Insects and Stencils

Learn about Paper Making from the Masters

Paper crafts play a huge part in the craft and culture of Japan, and their hand made paper with its intricate designs are considered to be the best in the world.

Washi is the Japanese word for the traditional papers made from the long inner fibres of three plants, wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper. As Japan rushes with the rest of the world into the 21st Century, and more modern technologies take over, machines produce similar-looking papers which have qualities very different from authentic washi.

The inner barks of three plants — kozo, mitsumata and gampi — all native to Japan, are used primarily in the making washi.

Kozo (paper mulberry) is said to be the masculine element, the protector, thick and strong. It is the most widely used fibre, and the strongest. It is grown as a farm crop, and regenerates annually, so no forests are depleted in the process.

Mitsumata is the "feminine element": graceful, delicate, soft and modest. Mitsumata takes longer to grow and is thus a more expensive paper. It is indigenous to Japan and is also grown as a crop.

Gampi was the earliest and is considered to be the noblest fibre, noted for its richness, dignity and longevity. It has an exquisite natural sheen, and is often made into very thin tissues used in book conservation and chine-collé printmaking. Gampi has a natural "sized" finish which does not bleed when written or painted on.

Other fibres such as hemp, abaca, rayon, horsehair, and silver or gold foil are some-times used for paper or mixed in with the other fibres for decorative effect.

Take a look at this video we made from our trip to Japan this year which shows you some amazing styles of paper and some of the group having a go at making Washi!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjYHJ_NrLHg[/embedyt]

How Washi is made

Branches of the (kozo, gampi or mitsumata) bush are trimmed, soaked, the bark removed, and the tough pliant inner bark laboriously separated, cleaned, then pounded and stretched.

The addition of the pounded fibre to a liquid solution, combined with tororo-aoi (fermented hibiscus root) as a mucilage, produces a paste-like substance when it is mixed.

It is this "paste" which is tossed until evenly spread on a bamboo mesh screen (called a su) to form each sheet of paper. The sheets are piled up wet, and later laid out to dry on wood in the sun or indoors on a heated dryer.

Features of Washi

Warmth. Literally warmer to the touch than Western papers made of woodpulp, washi feels soft and creates a feeling of warmth in the viewer. Its tactile qualities make it wonderful for invitations and books.

Body. Since the fibres are left long and pounded and stretched rather than chopped, washi has a deceptive strength. Pure-fibred washi can even be sewn and was used for armour and kimono-lining in earlier times.

Strength. The length of the fibres and the nature of the raw materials ensure that washi is highly workable when wet. Thus it is excellent for papier maché, and etching in which the paper must be soaked. These long fibres produce a luxurious deckle edge, the rough edge which marks a handmade paper.

Soft translucency. Kozo and mitsumata are naturally translucent fibres, a quality specific to paper from the East. As such, it is used regularly for the transmission of light.

Absorbency. The nature of the fibres creates a ready absorption of inks and dyes. Papers that are "pure fibred" and dyed will result in much denser and more vibrant colour when fabric or watercolour dyes are applied.

Flexibility. Since the fibres position themselves at random, there is no real grain to washi. This gives the paper a resistance to creasing, wrinkling and tearing - and means it can be used more like cloth, for covering books, or boxes etc.

Lightness. Washi weighs much less than other papers of equal thickness. As a paper for books, it can create texts of apparent weightlessness.

Low acidity. Traditionally-made Japanese papers are truly acid-free if they are unbleached and unsized. Examples of printed papers exist in perfect condition in Japan from 1000 years ago. Today, papers from the village of Kurotani are among the finest archival papers.

Decoration. For centuries, colourful designs applied by woodblock or handcut stencils have created vividly characteristic papers, for decorative use. Recently, silkscreened chiyogami (small repeated-patterned paper) is available in an unbelievable range and widely used by craftspeople. Although made by machine, the quality available is about 70% kozo and comes in hundreds of patterns.

Paper making this way really is so much fun and you will learn skills that you can take home with you and use in lots of different ways. Our trips to Japan are really exciting and the group that went with us this year had so much fun and learnt so much about the arts, crafts and culture of this wonderful country.

If you would like to join us on one of the two trips we have arranged for 2018, then click on the buttons below where you can read all about the itinerary and reserve your places on the trip.

Experience a Tea Ceremony in Japan

Japan is famous for many things, but their Tea Ceremony is full of history and tradition and is something that we will be experiencing on our trips to this beautiful country.

The Japanese tea ceremony is called Chanoyu, Sado or simply Ocha in Japanese. It is a choreographic ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, called Matcha, together with traditional Japanese sweets to balance with the bitter taste of the tea. Matcha is made by grinding tea leaves to powder using a hand mill. Matcha tea is prepared by dissolving Matcha powder with hot water instead of infusing tea leaves in hot water. Preparing tea in this ceremony means pouring all one"s attention into the predefined movements. The whole process is not about drinking tea, but is about aesthetics, preparing a bowl of tea from one"s heart. The host of the ceremony always considers the guests with every movement and gesture. Even the placement of the tea utensils is considered from the guests view point (angle), especially the main guests called the Shokyaku.



The custom of drinking tea in Japan is said to have been spread after Zen monk Eisai brought tea back from China in the late 12th century.
The Chinese people at the time had a custom of drinking “Matcha” as a Zen ceremony. Eisai brought back tea to Japan along with the custom of drinking tea as a Zen ceremony. The custom of drinking Matcha tea developed as one of Zen ceremonies, and was eventually established as “Cha-no-yu” by Sen-no-rikyu in the late 15th century.
The concept of Zen is based on maintaining the order of the state of one’s mind and training to realize such state. Tea ceremony arose as one of the methods to practice it, and greatly influenced Japanese life arts including architecture, gardening, drawing, cuisine, flower arrangement, calligraphy and serving dish. The concept of Zen is deeply rooted in the Japanese people’s esthetics.

Watch the video below to give you a taste of what you could experience of a Colouricious holiday to Japan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IYZw71MYH8&index=6&list=PLeC_WHMVD5p7uVxEkJddhrIQtl_TLlik3

If you would to experience and take part in a Tea Ceremony as well as explore the rich traditions, crafts and culture of Japan then our two trips in 2018 would be a perfect way for you to do this. Click on the buttons below to read about each holiday and to reserve your place.

Test Post from Colouricious Holidays

Test Post from Colouricious Holidays
https://colouriciousholidays.com

Special Seed Pods

Special Seed Pods

Snowflake Flurry

Snowflake Flurry

Pods & Patterns

Pods & Patterns

Tribal Circles

Tribal Circles