The Magnificent Japanese Bunka Art of Embroidery

"Remaining Snow"

This is not what you will see.  We just wanted to show the material as it is stretched.  You can see the thumb tacks holding the material as the artist works on her creation.  The following picture is a representation of what you will see in its frame

"Remaining Snow"

The creations by Mitzie Desiderato come from the heart and the passion that she has to recreate Nature through the eyes of Nature.  When she creates wild life you can look into the eyes of her creation and feel the eyes looking directly at you.  The eyes will appear to follow you as you move around the room.  When you view her Nature scenes you will feel as though you are in the middle of the creation.  Her work gives you a sense of beauty and it will relax you and give you the feeling of being a part a Nature, right from you sofa at home.

A native of Japan, Mitzie spent her childhood on her families farm where the entire family helped with the rice crop.  Her Mother wanted her to learn how to sew and in school that is what she did.  She began by sewing kimonos and then women’s clothing.  She soon began to design her own clothes and made her own patterns.  Her work was, and is very professional.  After a number of years, Mitzie became very interested in the ancient art of Bunka Embroidery and she taught herself the traditional Japanese embroidery technique.  Kyoto and Bunka stitchery evolved from an embroidery technique brought to Japan from China in the fifth century so it has a long tradition.  The first stitchery was used to decorate the Buddhist temples as wall hangings and eventually was used to decorate garments such as Kimonos then as wall hangings for homes.  A variety of motifs were used to express the Japanese long tradition of appreciating the seasonal changes.

Bunka is a highly detailed method of creating a work of art.  A punch needle and brightly colored silk or rayon thread or yarn is used on a fabric that has been stretched.  Using a variety of stitches of size and thickness a multi-dimensional picture that looks like a painting is created.  A close inspection of the work makes one realize the hours and hours required to complete the stitchery.  The many combinations of floss thickness and colors and the size of the stitches becomes, in the hands of an artist, a gorgeous, elegant creation characteristic of this ancient and traditional Japanese art form.

·       A large stitchery, titled "Dignity" portrays an advancing tiger in all his strength, power and beauty.  He looks so real you can almost hear him growl as you approach him.  One has to look very closely to see that he came from thousands and thousands of stitches using the Bunka punch needle on a fabric.  Several months of labor went into the creation.

·       "Spring" is a dainty, charming design of an awakening branch bursting with the new growth of the season and a Nightingale sitting on the branch. 

·       "Happy Puppies" is a portrait of three adorable puppies sitting still for a second to gaze out at the viewer.  Look into their eyes as they watch you look at them. 

·       Another beauty is "An Eagles Glare"  The soaring eagle, the King of the Sky, has his all seeing eye focused on  a prey he has spotted.

·       A companion piece is "A Sense of Presences".  A hawk also sensing the presence of prey is accomplished by the same intricate stitchery and the similar color harmonies.  

·       The “Remaining Snow”, is a glance through a forest at sunset and the snow slowly melting.  You can feel the three dimensional effect this piece has, as it bring you the viewer into the setting

·       Another piece is "Mount Fuji", where you see the splendor of the majestic mount and the forest at the base of the mountain. 

·       "Ukiyoe's Girl", portrays a colorfully dressed geisha girl showing how the tradition sumptuously decorating the kimonos continues to this day.  The colors are bright and pure.

·       "The Shepard" as he watches over his flock.

	"An Eagles Glare"

	"Dignity"

	"A Sense of Presences"

	"Happy Puppies"

	"Spring"

	"The Shepard"

Origami

Origami started in the early 700’s when paper first came to Japan.  Origami is when a single square of paper is folded into beautiful designs.  Origami was originally used for religious purposes, but then people started using it as something to do for fun.  Origami creators fold square pieces of paper to make animals, dolls, boats, and other figures without using scissors or glue.

During the Heian period (794-1185), origami was used as a gift for family or friends.  In the Edo period (1603-1868), people were making more beautiful origami designs by using more than one sheet of paper.  Origami’s last change was in the Meiji period (1868-1912); origami was taught in elementary schools as a lesson in geometry.

Origami is still strong today in Japan and also in clubs all over the world.

	Swans
	Other Types of Origami

If you would like to place an order.  Please contact Mitsue via e-mail at Mitsue-Art  All order will require payment by check or cash in advance of order preparation.

Friday, January 18, 2008 08:55:59 AM