Nishi Kogin

Three types of kogin: from left to right: higashi kogin; nishi kogin; mishima kogin Three types of kogin: from left to right: higashi kogin; nishi kogin; mishima kogin

Nishi kogin is a form of kogin zashi (a type of pattern darning) from Japan. Kogin literally means 'small cloth' and zashi means 'stitches'. It is one of the sashiko forms, and was developed by the farmers of the Tsugaru region in the northern part of Honshu Island, Japan, and in particular from west of the Iwaki River.

Nishi kogin has dense patterns, as the ramie cloth, which was originally used, was woven with thinner threads than in other areas. The jackets have stripes on the shoulder with black and white threads to give the cloth strength when farmers carry heavy bags of crops etc. in the mountains. The women from this area were thought to be ideal wives, who had the patience to endure and carry out this form of labour-intensive embroidery.

Also known as shima kogin.

See also: higashi kogin; mishima kogin.

Sources:

  • KIYOKO, Ogikubo (1993). Kogin and Sashiko Stitch, Kyoto: Kyoto Shoin.
  • HIROSAKI KOGIN INSTITUE, Co., Ltd. (2013). Tsugaru Kogin – Zashi, Technique and Patterns, Tokyo: Seibundo Shinkosha.
  • TANAKA, Chuaburo (2009). Michinoku no Kofu no Sekai (The world of old textiles in northern part of Honshu Island, Japan), Tokyo: Kawaide Shobo Shinsya.

Digital source of illustration (retrieved 5 July 2016).

NK

Last modified on Saturday, 01 October 2016 18:57
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