The show

Born Free ~ Miyoko Murata

Each day this week, I've intended to show up here and write about the Tokyo show.  And each day has found me ruminating on how best to convey my experience and reactions.  This morning I sat down and went through my photos for the hundredth time and things fell into place. 

'Meeting Hearts by Quilts ~ Praying for Recovery and Renaissance from the Great East Japan Earthquake'...this was the theme of the show that attendees first encountered upon entering this year's Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival.  Although most of the signage was in Japanese, one phrase prominently featured was 'Prayers by Needles'. 

Zest for Living ~ Noriko Hayashi

Detail ~ subtle, small tossed houses

The 34 quilts in this display were made by invited artists, many whose work I recognized from previous shows.

 

The Distance to Reconstruction ~Masako Katase

They reflected a range of emotions.  Sadness.  Hope.  Acceptance.  

Requiescat ~ Yuko Kita

 

 
HOPE ~ Yoshiko Miyamoto

 

Life Goes On ~ Akane Sakamoto

A determination to stand together and move forward.

 

 
You are not alone ~ Riyoko Fujimoto

 

Let's Take Action to Connect ~ Noriko Nozawa

 

With a Single Mind ~ Misaki Okabe

I learned later that the quilts were included in a silent auction to raise funds for the recovery, part of an ongoing effort throughout the country to address the terrible aftermath of last march's tragic events. 

Sending the Bouquet for Heart of All ~ Keiko Goke

This theme was evident, though more subtle, in other exhibits at the show.  As in past years, there was an aisle of featured quilt artists' 'rooms'.  Keiko Goke's room was set up like a flower shop, the featured quilt, 'Sending the Bouquet for Heart of All'.  I was fortunate to chat with Keiko several times during my visit (more in a later post) and the weight of her experiences in Sendai last March was palpable.

Quilt room of Fumiko Nakayama

Late in the afternoon of my second visit to the show, Molly & I stopped by Keiko's booth to say goodbye.  She happened to be chatting with Fumiko Nakayama, the Japanese quilt artist who is so well known for her contemporary quilts in the mola style.  (She has gorgeous quilts in each of my Tokyo Quilt Festival Flickr albums...instantly recognizable.)  Keiko introduced her to us and Molly told her in Japanese how much she enjoyed the quilt in her special exhibit room.  She replied that after the earthquake, she wanted to make something joyous, green, with things growing and regenerating.  Hopeful.

Wind of May ~ Fumiko Nakayama

I left Japan with the feeling that the show was more subdued than in past years.  That it had a distracted quality...the category content, the individual shows, the depth of the work.  That compared to past years, it was less.  But here's the funny thing.  As I've gone through my photos...reviewing, editing, remembering...in some ways, it seems like more.  I'm so grateful that I was able to attend this year.

Signs at the departure gates, Narita Airport

***Lots of photos have been added to the 2012 Tokyo Quilt Festival Flickr album and have many more to upload.  Thanks for your comments on individual photos, I love hearing which pieces you like most.

Comments

[Katie]

I am always amazed at the workmanship that goes into the quilts at the Tokyo show. Such fine detail and precise stitching. Beautiful.

[BJ]

I looked at the pictures that you had up as of yesterday, and they did seem a bit subdued as compared to previous years. But I suppose you would expect that in a country in mourning.

[Barb Robson]

Thank you so much for taking us to Japan. The quilts are truly beautiful. Great to see colur too, especially Fumiko's. Looking forward to having a long visit on your Flickr page. Thanks again!

[blackbird]

It's so good of you to share these with us.

[Jenny M]

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful photos of the quilt show. The signs at the airport tugged at my heart, as my husband & I had a brief visit to Japan 4 years ago, to visit my BIL that had been working there for nearly 10 years. Whilst there we had the most enjoyable time meeting my BIL's personal secretary's family & her Grandparents in their home. They made us feel so welcome and they are truly gentle people & seem to have an inner peace, so to hear of the devastation that the Japanese people faced last March was so upsetting.

[ulla fredriksson]

Thank you.Your comments to the photos gave me a deeper understanding of the themes in the pictures.

[Amy (badskirt)]

beautiful recap of your time at the show. As I've been looking through your photos, I commented to my husband that this year's projects were a mix of hope and somber. My thoughts echoed what you've blogged. I look forward to next year's photos. I am thankful that you share your experience at the show and the beautiful quilts with us.

Did you do well in the shopping department?

[fiberchick]

Thank you so much for posting these wonderful photos. Am so determined to go to this show one day and this year it must have been particularly poignant...

[Cynthia]

Thank you for this beautiful post. I learned something and appreciated your thoughtful comments. Both days that I attended, the crowds were so thick around "Zest for Living" that I couldn't really see it. I so appreciated your detailed photos!

[Lynn]

Great quilts! I think my favorite one was the Broken Hearts. Not the correct name but ykwim.

[Patty]

Thank you for the terrific pictures! I hope you don't mind that I'm sharing/linking to your blog and flickr from mine. The quilts are so inspirational!

[Meredithe]

Thank you so much for taking us to this show. Amazing, inspirational, work which must have been spectacular in real life! Much appreciated.

[Thimbleanna]

Thank you for sharing Jan - I always look forward to your Tokyo posts. The show must've been very sad this year.

[Kelly]

Those quilts are so amazing and very moving. I especially like the moss houses,until you said they were houses I didn't notice them. Thank you so much for sharing!

[Kelly]

sorry I meant tossed houses.....

[Pam]

Jan - thanks so much for all your work editing and sharing your photos. it is so overwhelming to look at them all, I can't imagine how you got through the whole show and shopped in just two days! I am enjoying them all, and will have to look slowly several times to find my favorites. I love all the fabric with writing on it. so creative!

[Katell]

These "prayers by needles" are overwhelming, so much beauty to express a terrible reality. My favorite is "Distance to Reconstruction", but all are so wonderful, thanks for sharing these pics with us! The family of a good friend of mine lives 40 miles away from Fukushima, we musn't forget them...