Looking through these, I have a hard time figuring out the difference between these and the "Traditional" quilts. I am also wondering if there was a theme of flowers behind the contest, as certainly there were more flowers than anything else.
A number of those in this category were small and medium wall hangings. This one was made by Akemi Tajima.
Another hanging by Yukiko Ishizuka.
A medium sized hanging by Noriko Endo
A full sized quilt entitled "Dog Garden", by Ritsuko Shino.
Entitled "For You Arigato" (Thank You) by Yoshiko Sakai.
Roughly translated, "Flower Field" by Tomoko Kawahake.
Kazuko Yamada has put a lot of detail and quilting stitches into this one!
a close-up view...
Teruko Ono made this one.
Another small hanging by Fumiko Kitabatake, entitled "Gift".
This hydrangea hanging I photographed with the sign because it was small,
but now the writing is too small for me to read.
And the last one seems to have one some kind of prize...
I think the name is Etsuko Iitaka.
It was hard enough to grab a photo of the whole thing without heads and elbows and shoulders included, as there were many people checking out the details.
Lots of tiny applique in this quilt!
Most of my pictures subjects were hand-work, both stitching and quilting, so I may have missed a few. Hope you found some inspiration here. I know I did.
I cannot imagine the hours and stitches in each one, tiny applique, beautiful designs. Lost for words.
ReplyDeleteI get the feeling that these are more "works of art" than bed covers. Having watched the progress of the Japanese embracing a very western technique and over the years, making it their own, has been quite a journey.
DeleteWow the skill level in each of these pieces is amazing! And the patience and commitment to each quilt!
ReplyDeleteThroughout history, Japanese women have been very skilful in needle work, from constructing kimono and mending as well as sashiko. I think it was only a matter of time they would add quilting to the list.
DeleteCompare these Japanese quilts with modern European ones. Imagine the difference in time it must have taken to make a handpieced/-appliquéed and -quilted full size floral quilt, to the raw edged machine quilted with threads-still-hanging-loose and then splashed with a cup of paint or bleach abstract quilt of Europe.
ReplyDeleteI am also impressed that these large, very detailed quilts made on a light background are still clean after all that work!
I wonder how many of these quilts are actually used. A futon is folded up each morning along with the bedding. When you go to a Japanese home, you are never invited into the bedroom. I can't count the times visiting in my own country we were led to a bedroom to leave off our bags and jackets.
DeleteCrumbs - what astonishing work. Those Japanese ladies really go the extra mile.
ReplyDeleteThere were some machine done fused applique but those are still in the minority.
DeleteWow! Each quilt is filled with beauty and astonishing detail. How wonderful to view all this gorgeousness up close and personal. Thank you so much for sharing, Julie.
ReplyDeleteI have not been to but one quilt show in the States or any other country, and that one was at Sisters, Oregon where the quilts were hung outside with plenty of room. Shows here have so little space it is hard to even get far enough away to take a picture of the whole quilt, and even then, you will be blocking the viewers of the one behind you. Considering every view will be close-up, the detail is bound to be seen by all,
DeleteThe art quilts are gorgeous, really starting to want to make some of my own.
ReplyDeleteI like the freedom of art pieces, and the ladies who made these do beautiful work.
Debbie
I have the feeling that most of these quilts are made for display only. The work is definitely worth the time it must tale to construct one.
DeleteI like the Dog Garden. Certainly the layout is stunning and it looks like there was some serious appliqué going!
ReplyDeleteThere sure were a lot of little pieces in that large quilt ... any of which would have taken me years!
DeleteI really like the 3D one at the very top.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a small hanging but quite stunning
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