NHQG Pincushion Show

I didn't make a mini this month, but, I have quite some minis to show you, so read on.... 

On Monday I took myself to a small quilt show - the "2021 14th Exhibition of "Pincushion"".  It was just a straight shot on my local Chiyoda train line from Akasaka to Machiya, and then a five minute walk from the train station - quite an easy 40 minute trip.   

By the way, for additional Japanese quilts, be sure to visit Janet O's coverage of the recent Quilts Japan show at NEQM.  Seeing her post this morning made me homesick!  But.... Tokyo is my current home and we love it too right?  Right!

This show was a small one hosted by Nihon Heritage Quilters Guild. 

The group's leader, Izumi Takamori,  happened to be there and she very graciously introduced herself and showed me around.  It was fun to "talk quilts" a bit.  Here she is, in front of one of her many quilts in the show.  What an amazing tiger!  She does absolutely amazing machine quilting on her domestic machine.  

A highlight of the show was "Cities of the World" - an exhibit of 90 challenge quilts from Japanese, New Zealander, and French quilters.  Each city was depicted by three quilters, one from each country.  What an absolutely brilliant idea!  Each one of these minis was so interesting.  I loved seeing each one.  

Just a few of the very many quilts that caught my eye, to give you a taste of the show: 

Amsterdam: 

Kathmandu: 

The three quilts depicting Kyoto: 

Strasbourg:  

Dresden: 

Rio de Janeiro: 

Chikako Ueno is an accomplished quilter and a friend of Julie Fukuda's that I've met in the past.  Julie blogged about this show too, so check out her blog post here!   Thank you Chikako for letting us know about this show! 

No Japanese quilt show is complete without a section of bags and this show was no exception.  The beautiful bag in the center of the display was created by Chikako Ueno: 

I really appreciated the small scale of this show, and I definitely appreciated zero crowding.  It is wonderful to see quilts in person.  You can see how the show was tucked away on the second floor of a community cultural hall of sorts: 

I got a kick out of these cute cows: 

All in all it was a fun manageable outing, and what an unexpected bonus to have Izumi-san walk me around a bit.   

Earlier in the day I helped my friend Aya get started with sashiko.  Here she's marking a practice piece.  That's a pattern, layered over chaco-paper, and covered with plastic film to help protect the pattern.  Aya's goal is to make 6+ "luncheon mats" for her family.  I may join her.... 

All in all, a really good "quilty" day.   And October is right around the corner - hard to believe! 

xo 

Cynthia 

p.s.  no clue as to why this was called a "Pincushion" show ;).  Ahhhhh Japan.  

Tokyo Quilt and Stitch Show, ladies getting together

I randomly bought this magazine and I'm so glad I did, because it alerted me to a terrific quilt show at "Sunshine City" here in Tokyo.   

Just a few of my favorites from the show: 

I was on the lookout for a Yumiko Higuchi embroidery piece - look at this beauty:  

Yumiko Higuchi, Cactus Flower

Yumiko Higuchi, Cactus Flower detail 

Yumiko Higuchi, Cactus Flower detail 

A terrific quilt from Keiko Goke: 

Keiko Goke Heart Series II

Keiko Goke, detail 

Keiko Goke, detail 

Julie W and Tammy were with me.  It's nice to wander a show together and apart, together and apart... 

 We all loved this one, by, (I think - according to Google translate), Akiko Hirata: 

Izumo Beauty, by Akiko Hirata 

detail, Izumo Beauty, Akiko Hirata

When I heard someone speaking in a microphone (of course I didn't understand a word), and saw this crowd, and that quilt, I asked a guard... "Chuck Nohara?" and he nodded.  Yes, THE quilt icon, in the house!  Too bad I couldn't understand a word she was saying!  It sounded like a Q&A session. 

She was there promoting her new book, a collection of her antique American quilts. 

If you are unfamiliar, read this fabulous post by Elizabeth of OPQuilt.   All I can say is.... tempted, so tempted.  

And on our way out, a little silliness (only in Japan): 

Last week I also got together with Kazuko K (she has a "Nifty" blog here.  I can't seem to subscribe to it or add it to my sidebar).  I know Kazuko from when we studied sashiko together at Blue and White with Kazuko Yoshiura-sensei.

 Kazuko gave me some precious pieces of indigo left over from her long ago sashiko projects:

And, bonus!  She went with me to the grocery store to show me her favorite curry mix, and just the right pickles to serve with curry.  It means so much to have a Japanese friend share these tips for living!

And then yesterday, Julie (My Quilt Diary) and I met up (yes, I am selfie-challenged):

Julie brought along her trademark handwork, which she carries everywhere.  She sews everything by hand, so beautifully.

More indigo from a friend's stash - thank you Julie!

When we left Japan in 2013, after our two years here, I didn't know we would ever be back.  It's so nice to see both of these remarkable wise women and start again where we left off!

Not a lot of quilting this week but one day I had to be available 9:00 - 3:00 to wait for a fire alarm inspection,

so it was a good window of time for piecing log cabins:   

xo
Cynthia