Techniques of Japanese Embroidery [Paperback]

Shuji Tamura (Author), The Japanese Embroidery Center (Compiler)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998

A master embroiderer shows how to create beautiful traditional Japanese embroideries using detailed illustrations and diagrams for more than 50 stitching techniques. Tamura takes readers into the world of "shishu", using a wonderful array of silk and gold threads. 90 color photos.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With its intricate patterning, silken and golden threads, and traditional symbolic motifs, Japanese embroidery is unlike any other embroidery technique. The term "lost art" is all too often applied to intricate textiles and needlecraft, but fortunately not to this exquisite artistry, which is still going strong even after a thousand years. This volume traces the history and applications of an ancient and fascinating form, and provides extensive instructions for achieving these beautiful designs. Though the techniques require patience and practice, many of the seemingly complex stitches are actually composed of surprisingly simple elements, and all is clearly explained here. --Amy Handy

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications; Illustrated edition (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873416279
• ISBN-13: 978-0873416276
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #292,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full Color Pictures and Diagrams!, October 11, 2003

By 

AxeTopher "AxeTopher" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Techniques of Japanese Embroidery (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book.

The book is full color with BIG diagrams and closeups of the stitches. There are also many gorgeous pictures of completed works to inspire one. There are some very impressive looking techniques in this book, yet because of the clear explanations it was very easy for me to pick up the idea, start and finish my projects (and they came out pretty well for a beginner like me, if I do say so myself. Some of my past embroidery attempts were pretty pathetic). In short, it makes a lot of sense and isn't hard to understand at all.

The explanation of tools and necessary materials is very complete, yet I could still accomplish the various techniques with a cheap embroidery hoop, an embroidery needle, cotton cloth, and floss (rayon seems to work better at filling in large areas than cotton. Rayon looks more like the silk in the book). Still, it's nice to know about the other tools. I am sure they would be helpful for larger projects.

The pages are heavy enough that the book will stay open to the pages while one is embroidering (believe me this helps). I've used it in many projects and it's still in great shape (some of my other paperback "how to" craft books have fallen apart at the binding after similar use).

There is a little bit of history and some explanation of symbols and motifs (from pages 9-25). I found this fascinating. It's nice to know more than just "how to."

I think this is a great book! I especially liked the "weaving stitches" and his examples of layering stitches on top of stitches. They really make my projects look really fancy!

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for a beginner in Japanese Embroidery, December 29, 2001

By 

FranVf "franvf" (Western NC, United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Techniques of Japanese Embroidery (Paperback)

This book is great if you want to learn Japanese Embroidery, and are already a decent stitcher. I would not recommend it to a complete novice - it is a difficult method of embroidery that can easily overwhelm the new stitcher. The pictures are clear and the text is easy to read.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Japanese Embroidery, January 28, 2006

By 

J. D. Westwood (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Techniques of Japanese Embroidery (Paperback)

I purchased this book for my wife who is learning this technique and her words were, 'the best book I have ever seen on this subject'. She says that this book gives more advice and is more easily followed than any other books she has seen. It is meant for the beginner who is new to the technique and is therefore invaluable.