Experience Traditional Japanese Silk Embroidery at a Historical Temple in Ryogoku, Tokyo

Ekoin: A Temple in a District Where Edo Culture and Modernity Intersect

Ekoin is the representative temple of Tokyo’s Ryogoku district — an area steeped in Edo culture, with attractions such as the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo stadium and the Sumida Hokusai Museum dedicated to the art of Katsushika Hokusai. Built in 1657, during the Edo period (1603-1868), to mourn over 100,000 victims of a major fire called the Great Fire of Meireki (or the Great Furisode Fire), this temple is still bustling with worshippers to this day.

The rounded ends of the roof of Ekoin Temple’s main gate add a distinctive touch to its architecture

Various artifacts on Ekoin’s premises are a testament to its long and rich history and culture. For instance, a stone tablet indicates the temple’s deep connection with sumo wrestling, while an ornate painting of a roaring dragon on the main hall’s ceiling was made with cedar from Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture. To further take in the ambiance of this temple, we recommend strolling around its grounds before or after this experience.

If you clap your hands while standing right under this art piece on the ceiling of Ekoin’s main hall, the sound will resonate, as if you are hearing the dragon’s roar

For this experience, you will have a room in Ekoin reserved exclusively for you and your instructor. (The exact room will vary depending on your experience date.) There, you will trace the history of Japanese embroidery and learn its traditional techniques from a seasoned artist. After getting an up-close look at her embroidered creations, during which you can appreciate the craftsmanship of her work for yourself, you will try Japanese embroidery for yourself as you embroider a design (or designs) on a lace-trimmed silk handkerchief.

Enjoy the Moment, One Stitch at a Time, with Japanese Embroidery

You will discover the comforting rhythm of Japanese embroidery with the help of your instructor: Kyoko Tanaka, a Japanese embroidery artist who runs a series of workshops called Irohabari. After studying Japanese embroidery at the Joshibi Junior College of Art and Design, she studied under an artist affiliated with the prestigious Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition, then began creating her own works. Thanks to Tanaka’s keen eye for matching colors, many of her embroidered creations break the boundaries of tradition, and she continues to express her own worldviews and sensibilities at exhibitions and other events.

Adding color to a pattern with each stitch

Tanaka’s own experience of continuing to carefully learn the basics has led her to appreciate the joys and difficulties of improving one’s craft, as well as the moments in between. Because she values ​​not only the technical aspects, but also the feelings and motivations of her students, she is able to create an atmosphere that allows students to relax and be themselves.

Not only does Kyoko Tanaka create her own embroidered art pieces, but also, she has been conducting Japanese embroidery workshops for over 20 years

Learn About Japanese Embroidery, and Observe How It is Done

This experience will begin with an explanation on Japanese embroidery courtesy of Tanaka. Along with Buddhism, embroidery spread to Japan from China around the 6th century. Over time, it evolved into its own distinct style in Japan, which has been acclaimed domestically and abroad. Intricate, gorgeous, and stunning, Japanese embroidery enables artists to express themselves freely with nothing but needles and silk threads. Think back on how far this craft has come as you take a look at Tanaka’s creations.

The stunningly beautiful colors of Tanaka’s creations are sure to catch your eye

Next, you will have the opportunity to watch Tanaka embroider a pattern. There is a simple joy in watching a black-and-white sketch gradually come to life as Tanaka adds colors, a stitch at a time. The choices of colors, too, tell a story, as they distinctly reflect the artist’s thoughts and feelings. This simple technique, repeated many times over, is the very same technique used to embroider the intricately beautiful details on kimonos. 

Tanaka bringing a pattern to life through her colorful embroidery

Make Japanese Embroidery a Part of Your Daily Life with a Handkerchief 

Though the term “Japanese embroidery” may have you imagining the luster and elegance of silk threads and the gorgeous details on kimonos, Tanaka’s embroidery is not bound by the conventions of Japanese or Western styles. Rather, the unique charm of her creations comes from their dazzling, vivid colors. Though Japanese embroidery may be a traditional craft, let it inspire you, too, to pursue creative new ideas.

A little bit of embroidery will make your stylish handkerchief all the more endearing

In this experience, you will use silk thread to embroider a seasonal design on a white lace handkerchief: a flower representative of the current season and a letter of the English alphabet. You can instead opt to only embroider the seasonal flower*; however, if you would like to embroider a letter as well, please inform us in advance of your preferred letter. Since you will be able to take your handkerchief home right after the experience, it can serve as a souvenir or memento of your visit to Japan.

*Seasonal flower pattern
December to February: Plum blossoms
March to May: Cherry blossoms
June to August: Wisteria
September to November: Bush clover

Keep the current season in mind, and infuse your thoughts into each stitch

As this is meant to be a beginner-friendly plan, Tanaka will sketch the outline by hand before your experience date. Thus, you will start embroidering with an outline already in place. Simply put yourself at ease, and surrender yourself to the moment. With each stitch and the passage of time, before you know it, you will get the hang of embroidery.

An elegant lace handkerchief complements the luster of silk thread (Note: this image is for reference only)

Surrender Yourself to Time as You Stitch Away

Evolving from a variety of traditional techniques and patterns, Japanese embroidery has been passed down across generations to the present day. The time spent on repetitive but calming needlework is also an opportunity to cleanse your soul, so a traditional and solemn place like Ekoin Temple is the perfect venue for such a special and refined experience as this one. Take a moment to slip away from the hustle and bustle of urban life as you focus on embroidery.

As an artist and teacher, Tanaka expands the possibilities for Japanese embroidery and spreads its appeal (Note: This image is for reference only; the actual room on your experience date may vary)

This experience is also an opportunity to add Japanese embroidery, with its beauty that evokes Japan’s traditions and the delight that its dainty patterns unleash, to your daily life. Forget about time for a moment through this encounter with the charming world of Japanese embroidery.