加賀指ぬき

Kaga yubinuki

Kaga yubinuki (Kaga thimbles) hail from the Kaga region of Japan, modern day Ishikawa prefecture. They were originally crafted by seamstresses from the silk threads and fabric scraps leftover from sewing kimono. Silk threads are wrapped around a ring base made of paper, bias tape, and silk batting to create hundreds of different patterns. The result is both beautiful and utilitarian, and though they can still be used for their original purpose as working thimbles, most contemporary yubinuki are repurposed as jewelry and accessories. Though not well-known even in Japan, the craft has been kept alive thanks to contemporary artists like Onishi Yukiko and Terajima Ayako who have worked to bring it to the attention of a broader audience.

Kaga yubinuki with a maple leaf pattern in orange and green sitting on two faceted wooden stones with reflection in black glass.
Green, purple and teal Kaga yubinuki next to two faceted wooden stones on a reflective black glass surface.
Purple, red, orange and yellow geometric patterned Kaga yubinuki on two faceted wooden stones sitting on reflective black glass.
Rainbow Kaga yubinuki in front of two dark, faceted wooden stones on a reflective black glass surface.
Purple, red, orange and yellow ripple patterned Kaga yubinuki on top of two faceted wooden stones reflected on a black surface.
Two Kaga yubinuki with wave patterns in different arrangements of blues, yellow, and gray, sitting on faceted wooden stones, with their reflections visible on a black glass surface.
Rainbow Kaga yubinuki placed on top of two faceted wooden stones sitting on reflective black glass.
Green and purple geometric patterned Kaga yubinuki on two dark faceted wood stones on a reflective black surface.
Purple, navy, orange and yellow checkerboard patterned Kaga yubinuki in front of two faceted wood stones on a reflective black surface.
Black, blue, and green Kaga yubinuki in front of two faceted wood stones and reflected on a black glass surface.
Rainbow wave-patterned Kaga yubinuki balancing between three faceted wood stones and reflected on a black glass surface.
Green and purple geometric patterned Kaga yubinuki in front of two faceted wood stones on a black reflective surface.
Purple and orange gradient wave-patterned Kaga yubinuki balancing between three faceted wood stones and reflected on a black glass surface.
Pink, purple, and yellow Kaga yubinuki in front of two faceted wood stones on a black reflective surface.
Olive and sage green Kaga yubinuki balancing between three faceted wood stones on a reflective black glass surface.
Purple, black, green and blue Kaga yubinuki balanced between three faceted wood stones on a reflective black surface.
A blue and green Kaga yubinuki threaded on a braided kumihimo cord in the same colors, sitting on black glass.
A magenta and purple Kaga yubinuki threaded on a braided kumihimo cord in the same colors, sitting on black glass.
A blue and green gradient Kaga yubinuki threaded on a braided kumihimo cord in blue and white, sitting on black glass.
A blue and purple Kaga yubinuki threaded on a braided kumihimo cord in shades of purple and white, sitting on black glass.
A white and rainbow Kaga yubinuki in front of two faceted wood stones sitting on reflective black glass.
A rainbow and white Kaga yubinuki in front of two faceted wood stones sitting on reflective black glass.
A purple and blue-violet Kaga yubinuki threaded on a braided kumihimo cord in blue, magenta, and yellow sitting on black glass.
Three rainbow Kaga yubinuki in front of three faceted wood stones on a reflective black glass surface.

こぎん刺し

Kogin

Kogin is a type of Japanese counted embroidery traditionally stitched over linen, both to strengthen the cloth and to add decorative motifs and family symbols. Contemporary kogin is typically stitched on cotton and used to decorate jewelry, accessories, and home goods. Though less popular than its better-known cousin sashiko, kogin is still practiced by many in Japan, and has gained followers abroad, leading to new patterns joining traditional motifs.

An orange and yellow kogin gingko leaf embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base propped up by a pair of faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.
A purple gradient kogin-embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base propped up by a pair of faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.
A blue and purple kogin-embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base propped up by a pair of faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.
A blue and white kogin-embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base propped up by a pair of faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.
Blue and green kogin-embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base, propped up by faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.
Blue, purple, and teal kogin-embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base, propped up by faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.
Purple, blue and green kogin-embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base, propped up by faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.
Blue and bright green kogin-embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base, propped up by faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.
Purple and rainbow gradient kogin-embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base, propped up by faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.
Green and multicolor gradient kogin-embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base, propped up by faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.
Teal and rainbow gradient kogin-embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base, propped up by faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.
Purple, blue and gray kogin-embroidered pincushion with a wooden, bowl-shaped base, propped up by faceted wood stones sitting on a reflective black glass surface.

織物

Weaving

I weave by hand using tapestry, rigid heddle, and multi-shaft table looms. I weave everything from scarves and wraps to fabric for bags and bookcloth, as well as tapestries. Though my tapestries are woven largely in the European tradition, many are embroidered with patterns inspired by mokumegane, a Japanese metalworking technique in which different metals are folded, blended and cut to create patterns reminiscent of the woodgrain for which it is named.

Handwoven tapestry depicting a mountain landscape with purple sky and a moon and copper embroidery mounted on a black background.
Close-up of embroidered design on handwoven tapestry depicting the moon in a purple sky over dark gray mountains.
Handwoven tapestry depicting a waterfall in a mountain landscape with neon green, purple, pink, blue, and white yarn, featuring fringe and silver embroidery details.
Closeup of handwoven tapestry depicting a waterfall in a mountain landscape with neon green, purple, pink, blue, and white yarn, featuring fringe and silver embroidery details.