I would never have chosen January as the month to revisit Japan if it wasn't for the quilt festival. I'm usually cold under normal circumstances and the lack of central heating in homes there is almost too much for me. Space heaters make things fairly comfortable during the day, but there's nothing like rising in the morning and dashing into the shower when the temperature is in the mid-40s(F). I must admit though that after a week or so it wasn't so bad, aided as I was by layers of clothing and fingerless mitts. And anticipation of the quilt show.
Midway through my visit, Molly & I took an evening train to Tokyo, arriving the night before the show. I planned to squeeze every minute from show day so I left the hotel early on my own and arrived to find long lines winding around the Tokyo Dome. Still needing a ticket, I first joined that line and was soon engaged in a pretty much one-way conversation with a friendly, fellow quilter who repeatedly (and emphatically) tried to relay some information to me, despite my repeated (and emphatic) response that 'I speak a little Japanese, but I'm sorry, I don't understand you' (little bow). Finally, with a smile and a nod, she pulled a discount coupon out of her bag and thrust it into my hand. Arigatou gozaimasu!
Full quilt here
The show didn't disappoint. Multiple exhibits crisscrossed the huge venue...competitions in numerous categories and special exhibits of antique American quilts, three featured American quilters and eight Japanese contemporary quilters, among others. Really, a dizzying array.
Full quilt here
I tried to take at least one detail shot of each quilt I photographed, but it's not an exaggeration to say that there is so much going on in most of these quilts, even the subtle ones, that 10 detail shots each wouldn't convey the complexity and beauty of most of them.
Full quilt here
These are detail shots of a few of my favorites, with links to the full quilt photo below each. I've put together a Flickr set of all of my show photos, which you can find here.
Full quilt here
As if the quilts weren't enough, a large vendor area tempted, and I spent my day darting back and forth from exhibits to shop booths. Around 2:00, realizing I was hot, famished and could use a break, I headed to the food area, only to find all of the bento boxes sold out. I had to settle for a small juice box for lunch.
Mob view from my juice break.
Refreshed, it was off for the highlight of the day, meeting an *old friend* for the first time. Jennifer and I go back quite a while to her first blog, before she was married. I was happy to see her return with Moving Hands a few years ago, as she had been an influence in my decision to start blogging. I assure you, she is just as charming in person as she is on her blog. And now, known across Japan!
I stayed until the bitter end (6:30) and what you've heard is true...around 3:30, people are clearing out, making for much easier close-up examination and quick & easy photo opportunities. Not just of quilts, though.
Kay, behold your quilt goddess!
No, not me (ha!)...Suzuko Koseki, quilter extraordinaire, maker of that quilt...which, by the way, I stood not 15" from in a special artists' exhibit (no photos permitted). I spotted her in her shop area and was starting to snap a shot for Kay when she made eye contact with me, ran out of the booth and handed my camera to her assistant. Despite my looking a bit worse for the wear after 8 1/2 hours at the show, who's going to argue with the star?!!
Oh such gorgeous wonders of textile! What a treat it must have been to see them up close and personal. I'm always amazed by the completely different types of quilting that the Japanese create. Gorgeous stuff! :-)
Posted by: Lemon Tree Tami | January 31, 2009 at 01:14 PM
What a great show!!!! Thanks for posting the quilts.
Posted by: Lynn | January 31, 2009 at 01:58 PM
I do love it when you go to the Tokyo Quilt show. Thank you so much for posting all the pictures. My morning is blown but it was so worth it! Totally inspiring.
Posted by: KT | January 31, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Jan, what a nice post to wake up to this morning. I had forgotten that you took pictures of that interview. You definitely have pictures of quilts I did not see...off to Flickr I go! Glad to hear you got home safely, and had such a fun time in Japan.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 31, 2009 at 03:00 PM
That all looks completely overwhelming, but totally worth it!
Posted by: Kristin L | January 31, 2009 at 03:34 PM
Yes...overwhelming - that's why I'm glad YOU went. I know I'll get to see the best stuff.
Love that house quilt!
Posted by: blackbird | January 31, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Wow Jan, I'll have to take some time and really go through the photos, but I have a big question!
I have fallen in LOVE with the Japanese books with sewing kits and bags in them and wondered if they sell the special little zippers with ends like the first backpack photo shows in Japan? Have you ever seen them in your travels? or online? I'd love a tip for where I might find them if you remember seeing them. Thanks!
Posted by: JudyC | January 31, 2009 at 06:31 PM
thanks so much for sharing the pictures of your trip! Your so lucky to be able to go again.
amazing is the only word I keep saying over and over again...
ok, WOW too!
thanks again Jan
kathie
Posted by: kathie | January 31, 2009 at 07:06 PM
I always drool over the quilt show photos! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 31, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Wow, wow, wow. Thanks for sharing your quilt show experience with us once again! Despite the cold, I'll bet it was wonderful! I just have to go to the quilt show someday. The technical expertise, the creativity, the detail--they overwhelm me when I look at these quilts.
Posted by: amy | January 31, 2009 at 09:54 PM
Oh yeah, these were the pictures I was hoping to see. I am off to flickr for the full set. Hope these will reset my quilting mojo!
Posted by: lisa | February 01, 2009 at 01:38 AM
Thank you so much for sharing the quilt show with us - I'm in awe of all the wonderful creations - such craftmanship and imagination! And I love how many of these quilts use fabrics with text and pictures where you wouldn't expect to find it, like on flower stems and houses. I'll be watching that slideshow over and over!
Posted by: mathea | February 01, 2009 at 07:11 AM
Sounds like an incredible day, Jan. The quilts are really amazing.
Posted by: Carole | February 01, 2009 at 07:41 AM
Wow.
And you still had a whole trip on top of this one, wonderful day? Thanks so much for sharing your pictures with us!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | February 01, 2009 at 11:23 AM
This both makes my day and crushes me with wistfulness that I didn't see the show myself! (Translation: THANK YOU JAN!!!!!)
Only a nice person could have made that quilt. It's got too much l.o.v.e. in it.
The dotty one makes me crazy. A common theme with a lot of these Japanese quilts is that the maker is willing to go SO FAR for her vision. I think most quilters would think--"a thousand (or so) tiny dots, appliqued by hand? there are a thousand reasons NOT to do that. " But that quilter didn't care and it just gleams with crazy brilliance. And then the witty use of polka dot fabrics as well. Salute!
I'm also crazy about the ones using shapes cut from pieced fabrics.
Welcome home! Rest up! Thanks for the Flickr show! xoxo Kay
Posted by: Kay | February 01, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Jan, Thank you so much for posting these photos! I just love that green and blue one with the free pieced applique.
Posted by: Kristin | February 01, 2009 at 03:12 PM
Wow Jan what a fantastic trip. *one day, one day, sigh*
Posted by: Lily | February 01, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Thanks so much for these incredible photos...the amount of detail boggles the mind! What a gorgeous group of quilts and lucky you for getting to go!
Posted by: Claudia Hill | February 02, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Thanks for sharing this. I kind of misplaced my quilting mojo, probably under a pile of yarn. I really need to get going on a graduation quilt and my niece loves Japanese everything. Maybe I'll dig through your photos and finally get inspired.
Posted by: Robby | February 03, 2009 at 08:38 AM
Amazing
Posted by: Pacifica | March 21, 2010 at 04:47 PM