Alphabet Designs in Japanese Embroidery!? A New Proposal Even for Beginners! Shizuka Kusano's Latest Book Released April 30
Japanese embroidery artist Shizuka Kusano and collaborator Aya have released a new book, 'Alphabet Designs in Japanese Embroidery,' on April 30. This innovative guide suggests using traditional techniques to stitch alphabets, making it applicable to western clothing and accessories for a modern lifestyle.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 27, 2026 at 11:30 (59 min after Collected)
The joy of stitching and wearing world-class Japanese embroidery—.
'Alphabet Designs in Japanese Embroidery,' a collaboration between Shizuka Kusano, a master embroidery artist active internationally for over half a century, and Aya, who shares her atelier, will be released on Thursday, April 30.
This book is a unique guide to Japanese embroidery that proposes the fun of stitching initials and words using silk threads, combining lovely alphabet patterns intertwined with flowers and animals. By providing thorough explanations of basic techniques, it has become a book that everyone from beginners to experienced stitchers can enjoy, offering practicality that can be applied not only to kimonos but also to western clothing and small items.
### A New Proposal: Japanese Embroidery x Alphabet
Expressing the alphabet through traditional Japanese embroidery techniques. It suggests a new entry point to embroidery where you can freely combine initials and words to enjoy 'your own original design.'
### Not Just for Kimonos: Practicality for Daily Life
Embroider directly onto clothes, bags, and accessories, or finish them as appliqués. Its charm lies in designs that can naturally be incorporated into contemporary lifestyles, extending beyond traditional Japanese attire.
### Safe for Beginners: Basic Explanations with Illustrations
Uppercase block letters are intertwined with Japanese patterns or pop animal motifs. From handling threads to basic stitching methods, the book uses detailed diagrams. With small patterns that even first-timers can complete and thorough, polite illustrations, the door to the world of Japanese embroidery is now open to more people.
### Author Profiles
**Shizuka Kusano**
Japanese embroidery artist. Head of 'Atelier Shizuka Kusano.' Born in Hakui City, Ishikawa Prefecture in 1944. Studied French embroidery under Takiko Moriyama and Japanese embroidery under Masaaki Niwa. She has held solo exhibitions at Ginza Mikimoto Hall, Matsuya Ginza, and Nihonbashi Takashimaya. While creating embroidery works, she proposes ways to enjoy embroidery in daily life. Appeared on NHK TV's 'Oshare Kobo' and TV Asahi's 'Tetsuko no Heya.' Author of 'Japanese Embroidery from a Single Flower' and 'Beautiful Patterns of Japanese Embroidery' (NHK Publishing), among others.
**Aya**
Born in Yamanashi Prefecture. Met Shizuka Kusano in her mid-20s, entered the world of Japanese embroidery, and received her guidance. Since being moved by the sight of wild animals during a trip to the African savannah, she has visited multiple times and creates works featuring animals, working on expressing a world full of dreams and dynamism. While involved in the management of 'Atelier Shizuka Kusano,' she continues to create works. In 2024, she was in charge of the 'Hymn to Life — Small Lives' embroidery for the 'Shizuka Kusano Japanese Embroidery Exhibition' at Nihonbashi Takashimaya.
### Book Overview
'Alphabet Designs in Japanese Embroidery'
- Release Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
- Price: 2,640 yen (tax included)
- Format: B5 variant, 104 pages
- Publisher: Sekai Bunka Publishing Inc.
'Alphabet Designs in Japanese Embroidery,' a collaboration between Shizuka Kusano, a master embroidery artist active internationally for over half a century, and Aya, who shares her atelier, will be released on Thursday, April 30.
This book is a unique guide to Japanese embroidery that proposes the fun of stitching initials and words using silk threads, combining lovely alphabet patterns intertwined with flowers and animals. By providing thorough explanations of basic techniques, it has become a book that everyone from beginners to experienced stitchers can enjoy, offering practicality that can be applied not only to kimonos but also to western clothing and small items.
### A New Proposal: Japanese Embroidery x Alphabet
Expressing the alphabet through traditional Japanese embroidery techniques. It suggests a new entry point to embroidery where you can freely combine initials and words to enjoy 'your own original design.'
### Not Just for Kimonos: Practicality for Daily Life
Embroider directly onto clothes, bags, and accessories, or finish them as appliqués. Its charm lies in designs that can naturally be incorporated into contemporary lifestyles, extending beyond traditional Japanese attire.
### Safe for Beginners: Basic Explanations with Illustrations
Uppercase block letters are intertwined with Japanese patterns or pop animal motifs. From handling threads to basic stitching methods, the book uses detailed diagrams. With small patterns that even first-timers can complete and thorough, polite illustrations, the door to the world of Japanese embroidery is now open to more people.
### Author Profiles
**Shizuka Kusano**
Japanese embroidery artist. Head of 'Atelier Shizuka Kusano.' Born in Hakui City, Ishikawa Prefecture in 1944. Studied French embroidery under Takiko Moriyama and Japanese embroidery under Masaaki Niwa. She has held solo exhibitions at Ginza Mikimoto Hall, Matsuya Ginza, and Nihonbashi Takashimaya. While creating embroidery works, she proposes ways to enjoy embroidery in daily life. Appeared on NHK TV's 'Oshare Kobo' and TV Asahi's 'Tetsuko no Heya.' Author of 'Japanese Embroidery from a Single Flower' and 'Beautiful Patterns of Japanese Embroidery' (NHK Publishing), among others.
**Aya**
Born in Yamanashi Prefecture. Met Shizuka Kusano in her mid-20s, entered the world of Japanese embroidery, and received her guidance. Since being moved by the sight of wild animals during a trip to the African savannah, she has visited multiple times and creates works featuring animals, working on expressing a world full of dreams and dynamism. While involved in the management of 'Atelier Shizuka Kusano,' she continues to create works. In 2024, she was in charge of the 'Hymn to Life — Small Lives' embroidery for the 'Shizuka Kusano Japanese Embroidery Exhibition' at Nihonbashi Takashimaya.
### Book Overview
'Alphabet Designs in Japanese Embroidery'
- Release Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
- Price: 2,640 yen (tax included)
- Format: B5 variant, 104 pages
- Publisher: Sekai Bunka Publishing Inc.