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Shibori

"Shibori" is often translated "as tie-dye," but this easy label is far too limited. Shibori is a galaxy of resist techniques, all involving shaping the fabric in different ways then securing or binding it tightly so that dye does not affect the cloth where it is secured. The variety of techniques is truly astounding, varying from the familiar tie-dye to a wide range of stitched-and-bound techniques to winding and binding cloth to cores of different materials and sizes to folding and clamping between boards and the exotic and wonderful tub-stuffing resist. Though shibori is practiced in many other parts of the world, including techniques not found in Japan, and has historical importance, no single region has as many techniques as Japan. The serendipitous accidental effects that happen with shibori are part of the technique's charm and are particularly dramatic with cotton and indigo.

24P Sakura Explosion Japanese Fabric - Pink/Crepe

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=355598524547079&set=a.305664552873810.71443.266291710144428&type=3&theater

New project coming soon: IBOKS

New fabric

Flight of the Dancing Cranes

In many parts of the world cranes are revered as the messengers of the gods. Cranes are symbols of happiness, justice, diligence, purity, loyalty, piety, filial gratitude, beauty, and love. 

Their migratory flight made them symbols of endurance and their wings were once used as talismans to protect travellers from exhaustion.

In China and Japan cranes are symbols of longevity and immortality. It was believed that these birds had a special breathing technique which enabled them to live for thousands of years. 

Humans tried to copy their breathing in order to lengthen their lives and possibly even obtain immortality.  

Some believe that a mysterious crane cult existed in China during the Chou and Han Dynasties. 

Cranes were steeds of the gods and in China humans on stilts performed the Crane Dance as an imitation of the crane's flight to the Isle of the Immortals. 

In Japan cards and paintings of cranes along with other symbols of longevity such as the turtle are suitable gifts for the aged.

The Crane Dance, modeled on the bird's mating ritual, is performed by humans as an expression of love. It is thought to have its origins in a long forgotten solar cult. 

 In some countries ballerinas and loose women are called "cranes."

The crane's habit of standing on one leg led to the legend that at night the flock forms a circle around its king. 

Its loyal guards are said to hold a rock in one foot so that if they fall asleep the rock will fall on their other foot waking them up. 

This story has made the crane a symbol of vigilance. This bird's strange posture has also made it a symbol of contemplation, self-knowledge, and wisdom. 

Little Orchids Japanese Fabric - Blue/Vintage

http://en.dawanda.com/product/6695106-Little-Orchids-Japanese-Fabric---BlueVintage

https://www.etsy.com/listing/44417829/little-orchids-japanese-fabric

 SARASA - JAPANESE KIMONO TEXTILE OF CALICO

Japanese Sarasa had its origins in the 16th century and the term is derived from the Portuguese word for calico. During the Edo Period, Portuguese traders introduced cotton calicos from India into Japan 

where these beautiful, exotic fabrics quickly became enormously popular among wealthy samurai and merchant classes. 

These calicos, with vivid colors and striking abstract geometrics, were very distinctive to the Japanese eye. This pieces were used to make valuable and colorful items like bags for tea ceremonies and pouches. 

Already skillful at making distinctive textiles, the Japanese easily replicated the hitherto expensive Indian calicos into their own style and production techniques. 

While maintaining the eye-catching floral and scallop Indian fabric patterns, Japanese textile makers applied their indigenous katazome

(rice paste resist dyeing and stencils) textile printing skills to making domestic sarasa, characterized by shades of kakishibu (madder, reds and browns) with distinctive Japanese floral designs and geometric shapes. 

A superb textile with complex and detailed patterns of squares and triangles. This material was only used by upper-class people, as it was extraordinarily expensive those days.

The patterns and color tones have been succeeded over generations since then, and not faded away at all in modern time.

Reliable technique and passion contained in this calico can be felt on your hands when you purchase it.

32B Little Bouquet of Sakura Japanese Fabric - Light Blue/White

Dawanda

Cherry Blossoms 

The Japanese are very proud of their cultural heritage. After all the country has centuries of history behind what makes its culture. From the Heian Period (794 - 1185) on, the cherry blossom has been revered by Japanese. It carries great significance for the Japanese especially with regards to the innate meaning and symbolism they attach with it. Known as sakura in local lingo the cherry blossom is actually taken as a metaphor for life by the Japanese. 

The flowers brief blooming time and the fragility of its blossoms, has led to an association with the transience of life. On mass, the blossoms resemble clouds and the fallen blossoms can be likened to snow images that have captivated Japanese artistic sensibilities. The brief and brilliant blooming period that is followed up by the eventual and inevitable fall is taken as a direct reflection of how human life on planet earth is. 

For the west this realization comes during the fall season. In Japan the people are reminded of the true nature of life during the spring season when the cherry blossoms begin to bloom and make their way to brilliance and then down to the ground.

36R - Flower Shower Japanese Fabric - Red/Gold

http://en.dawanda.com/product/28796901-36R---Flower-Shower-Japanese-Fabric---RedGold

About 2,800 years ago, the chrysanthemum flower appeared in Japan brought from China. So enamored with the mum, the Japanese decreed that the flower would be the crest and seal for the Emperor. 

Family seals for prominent Japanese families of nobility also contain various types of mum called a Kikumon - "e;Kiku"e; meaning chrysanthemum and "e;Mon"e; which means crest. 

In Japan, the Imperial Order of the Chrysanthemum is the most elite Order of Chivalry. 

Japan has a special mum festival, which is called the Festival of Happiness. This flowers appears in many of Japanese crafting and arts, a way of the Japanese people to honor it’s natural beauty.

The Japanese Crane

Throughout history, birds have been viewed as animals of special value and have been endowed with meanings often drawn from legends and stories that have endured over many generations.

For the Japanese, the crane—or tsuru—is considered a national treasure, appearing in art, literature, and folklore. The Japanese regard the crane as a symbol of good fortune and longevity because of its fabled life span of a thousand years. It also represents fidelity, as Japanese cranes are known to mate for life. Over time, the crane has also evolved as a favorite subject of the Japanese tradition of paper folding—origami—as children and adults attempt to master this art.

Shortly after the end of World War II, the folded origami cranes came to symbolize a hope for peace through Sadako Sasaki and her unforgettable story of perseverance. Diagnosed with leukemia after being exposed to radiation after the bombing of Hiroshima, Sadako became determined to reach a goal of folding 1,000 cranes in hopes of being rewarded with health, happiness, and a world of eternal peace. Although she died before reaching her goal, the tradition of sending origami cranes to the Hiroshima memorial has endured as a symbol of the Japan’s ongoing wish for nuclear disarmament and world peace.

Today this tradition of folding 1,000 cranes represents a form of healing and hope during challenging times.