By Patricia Belyea
When I was a young woman, the Small Is Beautiful movement captivated me. More recently, two quilting leaders explored Japan’s kawaii culture of all things small and cute — with kawaii appliqué quilts.
BELOW: 2022 Yokohama Quilt Festival Best of Show: Blue Tone II by Aki Sakai
Naomi Ichikawa, a Japanese quilt editor, publisher, and researcher, teamed up with Teresa Duryea Wong, a well-known American quilt author, lecturer, and historian, to delve into this charming genre. And together, they wrote a book — Kawaii Appliqué Quilts from Japan.
Naomi and Teresa began by tracing the roots of Japan’s love for adorable miniatures. They discovered an obscure sumptuary law that started the Japanese kawaii movement. The appreciation for the tiny became manifested in the Girls’ Day Festival, Hina Matsuri, celebrated with collections of small Hina dolls.
The authors traveled across Japan to meet six master quilters who hand-stitch intricate quilts brimming with delightful, minute motifs. Each kawaii appliqué artist is featured in her own chapter — with her personal story, full quilt photos, and best of all, close-ups of the quilt details.
Yoko Sekita
Aki Sakai
Reiko Kato
Akiko Yoshimizu
Megumi Mizuno
Hiroko Akita
The book concludes with five kawaii quilt projects — sweet Japanese patterns presented entirely in English!
As a bonus, Naomi and Teresa include a guide to experiencing Hina Matsuri festivals today, complete with a map and photos.
The most spectacular celebration takes place in Yanagawa, where a water parade features girls and their parents in traditional costumes floating beneath colorful mobiles.
If you appreciate Japanese quilting and culture, you’ll love this newly released book:
Kawaii Appliqué Quilts from Japan: How One Country’s Love of All Things Tiny Powers Today’s Most Intricate Quilts
By Naomi Ichikawa & Teresa Duryea Wong
Hardcover, 208 pages, with hundreds of beautiful quilt photos.
Available in bookstores everywhere, or order directly from Teresa’s website +here
ABOUT US: Okan Arts, a petite family business, is co-owned by mother-daughter duo Patricia Belyea and Victoria Stone. Patricia and Victoria import vintage Japanese textiles, host in-person and online creative quilting experiences, and lead textile tours to Japan.
FOLLOW OKAN ARTS ON INSTAGRAM @okanarts
