MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE CENTER
July 19–21, 2026 

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Yoshiko Nishimura

西村良子（寛子）

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About Rozashi Embroidery

Rozashi is a uniquely Japanese form of needlework and a type of counted-thread embroidery, similar to canvaswork. Using the open weave of a fabric called kioro (raw gauze silk), thick twisted silk threads are stitched row by row to gradually fill the entire surface of the cloth.

Although it is a form of embroidery capable of depicting everything from geometric patterns to flowers and birds, rozashiis distinguished by its highly structured technique. The threads are stitched only in straight lines along the weave of the fabric, completely covering the surface to create luminous, glossy imagery. Because diagonal stitching is not used, producing curved designs requires exceptional time and precision. More than 200 stitching techniques are said to exist within the tradition.

The finished fabric is remarkably durable and has long been used for items such as purses, bags, and obi sashes.

Rozashi is one of Japan’s traditional crafts, with a history dating back to the Nara period (710–794). Some of the earliest surviving examples were created as decorative coverings for Buddhist statues during the construction of Tōdai-ji Temple. The craft continued to be passed down through the Heian and Edo periods, gaining popularity among court nobles and within the women’s quarters of the shogunate. Historical records suggest that it was appreciated not only by women, but by men as well.

In the NHK historical drama Gō: Princesses’ Sengoku, there is a scene in which the warlord Shibata Katsuie teaches rozashi embroidery to the three Asai sisters, illustrating how the craft was once practiced by men and even used to create durable protective pouches carried into battle.

Through the Meiji, Taishō, and Shōwa eras, rozashi continued to survive primarily among upper-class women. However, after World War II, the tradition gradually declined, and today relatively few people are familiar with it. Because rozashideveloped as a cultural pastime rather than within a specific production region, preserving and passing down the craft has proven especially difficult.

Today, only a small number of rozashi instructors across Japan continue to promote and preserve this art form, hoping that more people will discover it, appreciate it, and carry the tradition into the future.

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 Floating Cherry Blossoms 

 花筏 

Artist’s Statement

For Japanese people, cherry blossoms are often seen as symbols of beauty, peace, and friendship. I have explored the theme of sakura from many different perspectives throughout my work, and in this piece, I sought to capture the quiet beauty of cherry blossoms floating upon the water even after they have fallen.

The scattered blossoms on the water’s surface are expressed softly through silver-colored silk threads and loosely twisted silk yarn, while the shimmering reflections on the water are rendered with gold thread.

I would be delighted if viewers could enjoy both the delicate texture of the petals drifting in the wind and the gentle atmosphere created by the blossoms resting upon the water.

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Japan-Europe Palace Art Association Commentary

Yoshiko Nishimura’s rozashi embroidery transcends the boundaries of traditional craft, achieving a level of refinement that can truly be described as “an art form woven with time itself.” Each carefully placed stitch upon the delicate gauze weave carries more than decorative beauty; the layered silk threads seem to hold traces of accumulated emotion and memory.

What is particularly compelling about this work is the coexistence of deep respect for traditional technique and a distinctly contemporary sensitivity toward color and composition. As a result, the piece never feels confined by the closed world often associated with classical craft traditions. The subtle shadows and luminous textures created by the silk threads shift delicately depending on the angle of light, generating a remarkable sense of depth and spatial richness despite the work’s essentially flat surface.

The artist’s wish for viewers to engage with the work in a calm and peaceful state of mind quietly permeates the entire composition. In doing so, the piece gently reminds us of the preciousness of “taking time to experience beauty in stillness” — something increasingly lost within the pace of modern life.

This is not merely a work that preserves the traditional technique of rozashi embroidery, but one that sincerely and elegantly passes its spirit and sensibility into the present day.