Book Description

Even in Japan, with its rich tradition of textile art, handcrafted textiles are rapidly becoming a rarity, as they are replaced by mass-produced bolts of cloth that can never duplicate the feel or vibrancy of those created by the personal touch of a master craftsman with an original idea. The importance of obtaining just the right shade of indigo blue, or artfully stenciling on a flower or a cloud, or weaving a fabric so that it appears as richly decorated as a tapestry all make for the allure of Japanese fabrics. Whether for a kimono, a sash, or a coat, cloth in Japan is woven, dyed, and embroidered with infinite care. The professional pride and craft techniques of the Japanese have resulted in visual and tactile masterpieces, and Japanese textile craftsmen are deservedly ranked among the most skilled in the world. Thankfully, even during the breathtaking modernization of Japan, a small number of artists and craftsmen are struggling to keep this ancient art alive. The Japanese have traditionally viewed textiles as an embodiment of no only beauty but as family heirlooms and repositories of history, making the study of Japanese fabric a door into another culture, another people, another time. In Textile Art of Japan, sunny Yang and Rochelle Narasin venture through that door, inviting the reader to follow them. They start with a brief but informative history of those most typical forms of Japanese dress, the kimono and the obi, and then move on to introduce the techniques of dyeing, weaving, and needlework that distinguish Japanese textiles, discussing their traditions, practical methods, and use of different types of fabric.