Tokyo International Quilt Festival - Wa Category
According to Wikipedia,
Wa (和) is a Japanese cultural concept usually translated into English as "harmony". Wa is considered integral to Japanese society, and derives from traditional Japanese family values.
I'm not sure what the criteria to be included in this category is, but maybe it is something about Japanese fabric or techniques or something secret that I don't understand.
This year it was very difficult to take pictures because it was so crowded. Even when someone was not in front of me, someone was behind me so I couldn't get a straight on photos.
11 comments:
Amazing quilts.
Pamela: Such beautiful quilts, thank-you for sharing with us.
Catherine
No understanding either, but they are beautiful quilts.
Wow! There's some amazing quilts in that category. I kept saying, Wow, wow, as I scrolled down through them.
Hi Pamela wow some awesome quilts there,I love them all ,thankyou for sharing xx
Something else I read suggested that there were two categories - Wa quilts, and western-style quilts. So the thing these quilts have in common is that they are not American or European style quilts.
My interpretation of WA is that in itself it means harmony, getting on with the group/family/colleagues, becoming one with the rest...
However, used as a prefix or adjective, like in WA quilts, I think it means 'of Japanese style'. So when it comes to quilts, what makes a quilt Japanese in style. In my opinion it is either the fabric (indigo cotton or kimono silk e.g.) or technique (sashiko, kogin style of quilting...) or technique (the fabric has been folded into origami cranes e.g.) or the design (cherry blossoms, Buddha, sushi, temari balls, Mt Fuji....)
........
I would say, all these quilts are WA, except the second black and white one, unless it is made from kimono silk.
Maybe Wa means stunning as they certainly are! I love the one in the third picture. xx
Wa! Harmony! WOW! These are wonderful would love to see them in person.
It must have been so amazing to see these in real life. Thank you for sharing, I've loved seeing them.
Beautiful quilts! I especially like the one with the flowers (7th and 8th picture of the post). As to what makes a quilt wa - it's a mystery!
Post a Comment