Provides step-by-step illustrations for creating Japanese kimekomi, or fabric handballs, including sixteen designs, photographs, illustrations, and templates.

Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo, is a wealth of information for Japanese art collectors, Asian doll collectors and doll enthusiasts of all levels and interests. Full of beautiful photographs, the book details 18 kinds of widely collected, obtainable and affordable, antique and vintage dolls and figurines (ningyo). Author Alan Scott Pate--the leading American expert on Japanese dolls--writes in illuminating detail about the traditions of each type of doll and shares practical tips on how to collect this amazing Japanese art form. Included in this guide to Japanese ningyo are: Festival dolls: hina-ningyo, musha-ningyo, tableau dolls Display dolls: saga-ningyo, gosho-ningyo, isho-ningyo, iki-ningyo Wood dolls: kamo-ningyo, nara-ningyo, kokeshi-ningyo Clay dolls: fushimi-ningyo, hakata-ningyo Mechanical dolls: karakuri-ningyo, kobe-ningyo Theatrical dolls: bunraku-ningyo, takeda-ningyo Play dolls: ichimatsu-ningyo, keue saiko

Temari is a one-thousand-year-old craft from Japan - essentially stitchery on a sphere. Diana Vandervoort has collected simple patterns and broken them down into basic steps in English that are lavishly illustrated. Temari utilizes an almost magical measuring technique that guides the beginner in creating precision designs to produce this beautiful craft.

This book features step-by-step instructions for creating decorative patchwork and quilts and small projects. Patchwork techniques allow you to produce highly complex works from scratch.

Learn How to Make Beautiful Japanese HandballsWith little more than a needle and colorful embroidery threads, Barbara Suess shows how to make beautiful Japanese temari-a folk craft dating back to the to the 12th century. Crafted from the same silk threads used to weave elegant kimonos, temari balls evolved from playthings for children to an exquisite art form that delights all ages. Traditional temari incorporates centuries-old beloved patterns embroidered onto a simple handball. In Japanese Temari, Barbara Suess shares the secrets of making temari balls passed down through generations. Showcased in beautiful color photographs are 24 designs, starting with a simple pattern that can be completed in an hour or less. For every design, color drawings show exactly what to do. Each design introduces a new level of skill, allowing you to build your temari repertoire as you work through the book. Made as gifts or as elegant home decorations, every temari completed will add light and delight to any decor. Suess has thoughtfully included inspirational watercolor drawings and haiku poetry that invite you further inside Japan's unique artistic traditions. Japanese Temari features: ? 24 beautifully embroidered temari designs ? Complete, step-by-step directions and easy- to-follow color drawings ? A "ball prep" primer ? At-a-glance stitch guides for right and left-handed stitchers ? An illustrated glossary, plus a guide for temari teachers Barbara Suess's Japanese Temari will give you hours of pleasure as you create objects of delight to have and to give!

Learn How to Make Exotic Japanese Embroidered Temari Balls The unique craft of creating embroidered balls began as a folk art in ancient Japan. Originally made as playthings to delight children, temari balls later were crafted by ladies of the Imperial Court from the same silk threads used to weave elegant kimonos. Over time, temari became a sophisticated art form in miniature, lovely representations of centuries-old patterns embroidered onto perfectly round handballs. Now it is your turn to experience this unique craft. Temari Techniques offers all you need to make beautiful Japanese temari balls, following patterns from simple to exquisitely sophisticated! Start by learning how to make a smooth, round base and add guidelines around which to shape the design. Progress to mastering stitching and embroidery techniques with hundreds of step-by-step drawings. Then learn how to layer threads to develop more elaborate patterns, color, and texture, creating dazzling designs where the threads overlap and interlock in amazingly intricate ways. Scattered throughout the book are dozens of patterns that can be used to advance and refine your skills. ? Beautiful photos of dozens of temari on display ? Hundreds of detailed drawings that demystify techniques ? Patterns that help practice skills and lay the groundwork for your own designs ? At-a-glance stitch guide for left-handed stitchers ? Illustrated visual reference to help you locate specific techniques quickly ? Lesson plan for temari teachers Temari Techniques is a great guide for beginners and introduces challenging designs for more advanced temari stitchers. Barbara Suess's beautiful presentation will inspire you to create your own exotic and playful works of art.

A guide to sights, festivals, hotels, shops, and restaurants in Japan includes information about local transportation, currency, and customs