Bridging Cultures Through Craftsmanship: International Artisans Experience Yonezawa's Traditional 'Sashiko' Embroidery

Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture, was selected as one of the destinations for the workshop tour '2026 Travel For Workshops – Japan,' hosted by the World Shibori Network Foundation (WSNF). Fourteen international guests participated in a traditional 'sashiko' embroidery workshop. The event was hosted by 'Yonezawa Sashiko no Kai' (headquartered in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture; President: Taeko Yokoyama), a civic group dedicated to preserving and passing down the tradition and culture of sashiko to future generations. The workshop was held on Sunday, May 31, 2026, marking the second consecutive year of this annual event.

Plat Yonezawa Corporation (headquartered in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture; CEO: Kosaku Miyajima), a tourism town development organization committed to transforming regional charm into tangible value, supported this initiative.

## About Yonezawa Sashiko no Kai

In times when fabric was extremely precious, 'sashiko' originated as a technique to mend frayed edges and reinforce damaged areas, thereby extending the life of clothing. Additionally, it served as an effective thermal insulation method during harsh winters, leading to the development and beautiful evolution of this stitching craft, particularly across the Tohoku region.

In Yonezawa, it is said that in the early 1600s, a group of people known as the 'Harakata-shu' migrated from the Aizu region and developed a unique stitching technique called 'Harakata Sashiko.' Despite difficult living conditions, women from samurai households stitched with the hope of making garments warmer, stronger, and more beautiful, passing this craft down through generations. Its most distinctive features are compositions based on hexagons and intricate geometric patterns. Unlike simple repetitive stitching, multiple patterns are often combined within a single design.

However, over time, a shortage of successors has become a major challenge, and many historical examples have been lost. To prevent the disappearance of 'Harakata Sashiko,' the 'Yonezawa Sashiko no Kai' was established in April 2025 with the goal of inheriting and preserving this traditional technique, adapting it for modern lifestyles, and widely promoting it both domestically and internationally. This civic group, active for just over a year, has now hosted international tour groups for the second consecutive year.

## Fourteen International Guests Experience Sashiko in Yonezawa!

The workshop was held on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Denkoku no Mori (Yonezawa Uesugi Museum and Okitama Cultural Hall). Members of 'Yonezawa Sashiko no Kai' served as instructors, introducing the characteristics of 'Yonezawa Sashiko' to 14 international guests primarily from Europe and North America, and guiding them through hands-on creation using sashiko experience kits.

The traditional pattern created during this session was 'Tatewaku,' a classic design. As participants listened to the instructors' explanations, they carefully threaded needles and stitched the patterns onto fabric with their own hands.

With translation support provided by the tour’s project advisor and illustrated English guides, participants were able to grasp the techniques smoothly, even though the instructors’ explanations were in Japanese. Throughout the approximately two-hour workshop, attendees enthusiastically engaged in sashiko embroidery at their own pace.

On the day, 'Yonezawa Sashiko no Kai' also sold handmade brooches and card cases, each featuring unique sashiko patterns. Some participants purchased multiple pieces, indicating that having personally experienced the difficulty and joy of creating patterns with needle and thread deepened their appreciation for the charm of traditional crafts.

## Connection and Bond Forged Through Craftsmanship

At the end of the workshop, a surprise occurred: each participant personally presented a gift of thanks to the instructors. They offered local souvenirs from their home regions or their own handmade works, expressing heartfelt gratitude.

Following the workshop, guests enjoyed lunch at the historic Uesugi Count's Residence, a building preserved since the Taisho era. While savoring local Yonezawa cuisine, they learned about the historical context behind the popularity of sashiko in the region and deepened their交流 with the hosts.

Despite language barriers, a genuine sense of shared respect and joy in craftsmanship was clearly exchanged throughout the day.

This workshop demonstrated how handcrafted work with needle and thread can connect people across languages and borders. Moving forward, 'Yonezawa Sashiko no Kai' will continue its efforts to inherit the charm of local traditional crafts to future generations and promote them widely both domestically and internationally.

In recent years, experiential and interactive tours—where international visitors come specifically to experience traditional crafts and directly interact with local artisans—have been thriving. Plat Yonezawa Corporation also aims to deliver tourism experiences that connect with local activities, promoting the charm of Yonezawa’s culture and craftsmanship worldwide, and ensuring that meaningful encounters like this one continue to emerge in the future.

## Inquiry for This Matter

◇ Yonezawa Sashiko no Kai: https://sashiko-y.jp/

Please contact via the 'Contact' form on the website above.

## About Plat Yonezawa Corporation

Company Name: Plat Yonezawa Corporation

Headquarters: Machi Studio, 2-1-12 Honmachi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture

Representative: CEO Kosaku Miyajima

Established: April 20, 2022

Business: Tourism town development organization (DMO), tourism database management

URL: https://www.plat-yonezawa.jp/