About "KOGIN LAB & SALON".
Hi!Thank you for visiting this website!
This website introduce Kogin embroidery,one of the traditional handicraft in Tsugaru area,Aomori prefecture. Recently kogin become very popular not only Aomori but also Japan, even though on abroad.
“LAB” of title means laboratory.The purpose of this site is to tell about kogin embroidery.
I will upload what I’ve learned about kogin.And also,I'd like to show my embroidery works.
"SALON" has a meaning to hope interactive communication about kogin through this site.
This site is targeted people all over the world who are interested in kogin.I would be happy if KOGIN LAB & SALON could be a guide to Japanese people who want to teach kogin to expatriates.
■ABOUT SITE
HOME(This page): Introducion about site and introduce some kogin patterns.
Patterns&meanings: Explain the meanings of kogin patterns with photos.
Expand patterns: Introduction patterns for embroidery on large cloth.
Articles about kogin :Texts about kogin.To know more about kogin,access BLOG.
KOGIN LAB & SALON is operated by kogin＊bear style(KOHIRO),an artist of teddybear with kogin embroidery.
All of articles and pictures,embroidery is made by kogin＊bear style.
ABOUT ME is Here. blog of koginbear style is Here.
If you had any question or opinions about this site,feel free to ask me from CONTACTS.
What is "kogin"?
Kogin embroidery is one of Japanese traditional embroidery in Tsugaru area.
Tsugaru area is the west part of Aomori prefecture.It places in the northern most tip of Honsyu.
Despite cold and snowing in winter,farmers in this area were only allowed coarse linen clothes.
Women of farm villeges started to mend and reinforced the clothes of the linen weave by stitching with cotton thread.It is said that kogin was started in Edo period.
Many beautiful,charactaristic geometric patterns were born.Each patterns has names came from Japanese traditional pattern,familiar things such as animals,flowers,daily necessities.So Kogin embroidery was not only repair but also decoration.
Patten and meaning of kogin embroidery.
Here I’d like to introduce some main traditional patterns and their meanings. Kogin embroidery has many patterns.
On the farm villages in Tsugaru area, young girls embroidered kogin to make their kimonos.
The girls started to learn kogin since around 5 years old.They were usually taught how to embroider from their mother.
By the time they get married,they were able to embroidery various geometric patterns.
Each patterns have the name from flower,animals,insects and so on.Some of them called in the name of Tsugaru dialect.
Japanese traditional patterns were also affected kogin patterns.
I embroidered all kogin embroidery of pictures.
Danburiko
Danburiko means dragonfly in Tsugaru dialect.Some of kogin patterns has the name of Tsugaru dialect.The dragonfly is very familiar in Japan.Because the dragonfly only goes forward,it is said they are good for victory.
Ume-No-Hana
This pattern is Ume-no-hana(plum blossoms).Plum blossom has long been known as a flower of early spring.
yanoha-zashi
YANOHA means Arrow feathers.Because it is said arrows defeat evils,arrow feathers is one of the auspicious patterns.The pattern of arrow feathers is often used Kimonos for young women.
Fukube
Fukube means gourds.The gourds are used as bottle of medicine or liquor.
The gourds is one of the auspicious patterns for good health.
Tekonako
Tekonako means butterfly in Tsugaru dialect.This pattern is the most popular pattern.It looks somewhat gorgeous.Butterfly pattern means longevity.
NEko-no-managu
This pattern shapes cat's eye."MANAGU"means eyes in Tsugaru dialect.It is said that the eye pattern is protected from evil things.
YOTSU-mameko
Mameko means beans.4 mameko pattern is gathering so it called "YOTSU(4 of) -Mameko(beans)" In Japanese,"Mame""means to be healthy.It also means defeat the evils.
Kutuwa-tunagi
KUTUWA is horse bits.It is a metal bar that is put in a horse's mouth so that rider can control it.In Japan bits pattern represents crosses.
Know more about pattern ＞show Patterns and Meanings.