Counted Sashiko Embroidery: 31 Projects with 80 Kogin and 200 Hishizashi Patterns
Written by Keiko Sakamoto
Published by Schiffer Craft
On the first observation of this title, one may be put off by the mouthful of wording; yet words do not have to indicate complex content.
Let’s review this title right from the introduction, as personally I feel that this beginning is rather worth a pause and reflection.
The historical context that this book is founded upon is just sublime. The author here at this early stage, tells the narrative behind the pattern designs which we are set to learn. The types of embroidery covered, relate to the survival mechanisms of the poverty stricken farmers of ‘the north’, in Japan of course - the mystical place which many of us will only ever dream about - yet we are governed often invisibly by the mind sets they pass down to us - that yearning for repair and mending. What has become a Western fashion, was once a famine related necessity. How our worlds change eh.
We learn about the historical connections to begin with - as a person who has studied the art of these methods in the right setting - Tokyo, the author is able to convey the depth behind the methods. I like the section right at the start on the birth of these two styles (pages 10,11) The image of the Japanese fields on page 11 looks like a pattern in itself - you will need a copy to check it out.
With pattern upon pattern, links to how and where to use them and all the diagrams required, this is niche but will add something to your mending matters leanings for sure.
This book is available to purchase right now through my link.