2019 tokyo quilt festival
By Patricia Belyea
TOKYO JP I met up with Sachiko Yoshida when I first arrived at the Tokyo Quilt Festival. Sachiko, an honored sensei, has taught for 30 years in the Tokyo area. Behind us is Connections, Sachiko’s newest masterpiece.
Sachiko and I took a stroll around the Wa and Original Design competitions to see some of her students’ work. All her students’ quilts radiated with asymmetric designs, gorgeous old silk kimono fabrics, and precise hand stitching.
Wa Category Wa refers to harmony in Japan. Everyone’s lives and interactions aspire to be tension-free and thoughtful of others. It’s a gracious form of selflessness. Here are two winning quilts from the Wa competition:
Original Design Many of the Original Design quilts this year were much freer than ever before in Tokyo. See for yourself.
Traditional Category Once again, non-stop Wows in the Traditional Category. Check out a few of the most charming.
New Quilts by Japanese Artists This invitational category includes the works of 52 leading contemporary quilt artists from Japan. Sachiko’s quilt was in this exhibit. Here are some of those outstanding quilts.
Noriko Nozawa Spring is in the Air
Fukuko Tanaka VIVA!! AFRICA II
Misako Imamura Congratulations!
Reiko Naganuma What Autumn Forest Tells Me
Noriko Hasegawa Listen!
Grand Prix Winners This is a big deal every year. The winners are behind roped barricades and it’s almost impossible to get a photo through the crowds.
Hand Making Award : Sachiko Takatani
Japan Quilt Grand Prix First Place: Hitomi Mishima
Japan Quilt Grand Prix Second Place: Kyoko Takeda
There is so much more to see yet if I add any more photos to this post, I’ll break your digital device!
To see the Special Exhibits at the 2019 Tokyo Quilt Festival +click here
To see close-up details of the quilts in the major exhibits at the 2019 Tokyo Quilt Festival +click here
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40 comments to “2019 tokyo quilt festival”
WOW!!!! What a joy to see these quilts. I envy you–being able to see them all. The workmanship is incredible. Definitely the most creative in design that I have ever seen. How lucky you are to be able to be there.
Janet—Yes, it is delightful to see the quilts each year. I am also getting to know a few of the sensei and their students, which makes it even more fascinating! PB
Thank you SO much for the photos. I am in awe of these artists! How can we have these quilts tour the US? PLEASE!
Nancy—Many quilts that show at Tokyo Quilt Festival are exhibited in the big shows in the US—especially at Houston and Paducah. PB
Thank you! Can’t wait for more!
Patti—This year the Festival was delightful. I look forward to returning next January and reporting again. PB
Thank you, thank you for sharing this mind-boggling creativity and workmanship! I can only imagine the visual impact of seeing them in real life. They are each so unique.
Mrs. Plum—Yes. It is wonderful to see everything in real life. Another facet of the experience is the energy. On Opening Day, about 50,000 quilters visit the Festival. It’s like the vortex for quilting in the universe! PB
I am blown away by those quilts. The talent and skill is beyond my wildest imaginations. Will you lead a tour next year? That would be amazing! Keep me informed!
Aime—There is a high chance that I will be leading a tour to the Japan and the Tokyo Quilt Festival in 2020. I’ll put you on the Interested Folks list so you can hear about it when the details are secured. PB
Thank you so much for taking us to Tokyo with you! This is a marvelous experience, even from afar.
Pm—Armchair travel is a beautiful thing. Real travel, with all its rewards, is expensive and often arduous. PB
Wow these are incredible quilts! Thank you for sharing them. I look forward to seeing more!
Shasta—Thanks for your enthusiastic interest! PB
I am so glad to see that hand quilting is still strong in Japanese quilting! Here in the US we’ve become so dependent on long-arm machines that it is rare to see any hand quilted work. Thanks for sharing and I can’t wait to see your next installment!
Sherry—So true. Every quilt show in the US shows amazing long-arm stitching prowess. Long-arm machines are just not part of the quilt community here. PB
what a joyous delight!
Linda—Yes, for us visitors. I do wonder how exhausted the sensei and students much be to keep up this high level of wonderment each year. PB
Thank you for posting such beautiful and inspirational photos. It would certainly be wonderful to be part of a tour or the quilt show and Japan with you as a guide !
Lynn—I may be leading a tour for the 2020 Tokyo Quilt Festival. I’ll put you on the list of Interested Folks and let you know in the coming month, if that is truly happening. PB
Wow! Thank you for being there and sharing these quilts with us. Each one deserves so much scrutiny. So much creativity!!
Martha—Wow, wow, and wow. I agree completely. PB
Thank you, that was fun and truly amazing.
Terry—So glad you enjoyed the Festival. It is easy to amaze with quilts of such calibre. PB
What beautiful work, hours and hours of work. Thank you for sharing with us.
Nancy—Many salaryman husbands work ridiculously long days. So the wives do have hours and hours to stitch. How wonderful that they found quilting! PB
Just back from Tokyo Quilt Festival. Thank you for your amazing pictures. My camera did not work, although I tested it before I left. The grand prize winning quilt was beautiful, and the techniques were fascinating and inspiring. Hope to see you soon.
Darnney—You DO get around. So glad you could make it back to Tokyo for the Festival! PB
Thank you for posting – much appreciated!
NanRom—You’re welcome. I have been reporting on the Tokyo Quilt Festival for a few years and love to see what is here each time. PB
Thank you for posting the photos. Having lived in Japan, and my familiarity with Japanese artisans in all fields, they are truly dedicated to their craftsmanship in so many areas. Their attention to detail, colors, and yet the simplicity/complexity of the artistry is phenomal and I might add very enviable to endeavor such projects.
Michele—How fortunate for you to have lived in Japan. You are familiar with the spirit of the Japanese and their commitment to any endeavor. These masterpieces would not be possible without that high level of commitment. PB
mAGNIFICENT! THANK YOU FOR SHARING
Susan—My pleasure. PB
Stunning group of quilting eye candy
Exquisite and inspirational quilts.Maybe I will get to visit one year soon.
Elizabeth—I hope you do venture to Tokyo to see the show. The Japanese quilters really dedicate themselves to their joy of quilting. The exhibits are wonderful to see. PB
The quilts are beyond fabulous. Count me in if you lead a tour to the festival in 2020.
[…] To see more amazing quilts from the show, click here: https://okanarts.com/2019-tokyo-quilt-festival/ […]
I too am overwhelmed with the exhibit of amazing artistry. Technique upon technique, and all hand done!!! Astounding! I didnt realize that until it was mentioned in the comments. Each one looks like a lifetime of work, so I can hardly believe that an artist may have more than one piece to show. Please, may I also receive information about a possible tour next year? I live in Canada but could meet you there. I would think it would be so helpful to have an English speaking guide.