A collection of works by Mari Mochizuki, a 95-year-old active Kantha embroidery artist, and rare vintage collections from India
Kantha embroidery is a beautiful form of sashiko passed down in the Bengal region of India.
Author Mari Mochizuki is a pioneer who introduced Kantha embroidery to Japan.
Now 95 years old, she continues to produce works, and many people travel from afar to attend the classes she holds at her home.
She studied Western embroidery for many years from a young age, and was shocked by Kantha embroidery she encountered during her travels in India, beginning to learn the technique on her own after she turned 50.
Kantha, the embroidery of daily life, created stitch by stitch by women in Bengal for their families, had no textbooks or teachers.
She visited India repeatedly, collected old embroidered fabrics there, and through extensive research, honed her unique techniques.
Interest is growing not only in the author's works, but also in her way of life, her creative style, and the handcraft of Kantha embroidery, where the beauty of daily life is elevated to art.
This book is a long-awaited first collection of her works.
It includes life-size patterns and some reverse sides, designed to be a useful reference for those learning embroidery.
It also features a collection of rare vintage embroidered fabrics that the author collected locally.
The book explains the symbolic meanings of traditional Kantha patterns and basic techniques for those who want to start Kantha embroidery.
As a read, it includes an interview with the author, glimpses into her daily studio, and photos of her travel collections, making it a book that will be enjoyed by Mari Mochizuki fans and all handcraft enthusiasts alike.
Click here for book details