The Japanese Embroidery Center (JEC) was founded to preserve the ancient art of Traditional Japanese Embroidery (Nui dô) with its millennary techniques, and to train teacher and Masters.

Now, even in Italy, it is possible to learn this ancient form of embroidery.

Stefania Iacomi is indeed the first Italian teacher to be certified by the JEC.

Camellias

 

Traditional Japanese Embroidery comprises 46 different stitches, some of which are overlaid to create a relief effect.

The background  is made of silk, the fabric used for kimonos and obis. The threads used for the embroidery are also made of silk, and frequently also of silver and gold.

The colours and the decorative motifs have a symbolic and auspicious value.

The study of the classic 46 stitches is performed through the creation of 10 works (corresponding to the 10 phases of the training), in which all the techniques are progressively mastered.

In certain phases many techniques are learned, while other phases are devoted to the mastery of just one.

 

The first 9 phases can be studied with a certified teacher.

  

The tenth phase can be taught only by the JEC Japanese Teacher, and they alone are qualified to confirm that it has been successfully mastered.

 

Hokusai Black naped Oriole

Following this phase, the students become certified teachers and are listed in the International Register of Certified Teachers.  

Each phase is dealt with in a course held on 5 consecutive days, with 6 hours of lessons per day. The students work on the design proposed (or selected from those scheduled by the JEC for each phase), perfecting the techniques of the previous phase and being taught new ones, learning how to analyse strategies for the work in progress and for ‘interpreting’ the design.  

During the course the students will embroider the parts of the work involved in the teaching, after which they will finish it at home.

To take part in the Phase 10 course, students must have completed all the works of the previous phases.

  

From the very first course, the students learn how to: 

  • mount the fabric on the traditional Japanese frame;
  • twist the silk yarns to obtain the desired thickness;
  • embroider with needles made by hand in accordance with the tradition of the Japanese craftsmen;
  • delicately position each stitch embroidered with the flat silk using a metallic point (tekobari) to enhance the brilliance of the thread to the utmost;
  • embroider using metallic threads.

 

Anyone can do the courses, you don’t need to be an embroiderer.

All you need is a mind that is ‘open’ to the new; the beauty of the designs and the  pleasure of ‘playing’ with the material will do the rest.

 

 


All the embroidered works were designed by the Atelier of Kurenai Kai and the JEC ©.
All rights riserved

Embroiderer : Stefania Iacomi