| Rozashi is embroidery using silk
canvas and silk thread. A picture is created and outlined on the canvas and comes alive with the thread and stitching. The difference between Rozashi and other forms of embroidery is the use of the silk canvas called "RO". The "RO" is a special uniquely woven fabric. Common embroidery stitching technique utilizes threading through holes but Rozashi stitching must always be straight and can never be diagonal.   Click for larger size Click for larger size Kimono/Obi "RO" Rozashi "RO" There are 5 lines between There are three lines between embroidery holes embroidery holes. The kimono canvas is 37.5cm wide. The canvas is 63cm wide The obi canvas is 35cm wide In Rozashi the background must always be filled in with stitching. The fabric is woven silk; stiff in consistency. The thread is twisted silk. The gold and silver colors are twisted and lacquered. The needle is a sewing needle commonly found in fabric stores. The frame is made of plywood and custom cut to the exact measurement of the canvas.  1:Tortoise Shell Design Click for larger picture  2:Stitch the shell design with a different color inside the original outline. Click for larger picture  3:Stitch an inside design The waste knot should be outside the design picture. The waste knot thread is interwoven within the stitching and can be cut after the section piece is completed. Click for larger picture  4:Fill inside with basic stitch. Complete the finishing process to remove the canvas from the frame. Put appliqued piece onto fabric. Click for larger picture 
5:As shown, the applique has been placed on a small bag used in "SADOU" (The way of Tea). It is more popular to applique than to hand stitch the complete bag. Click for larger picture  If a bag is completely hand stitched, it will look like this. Click for larger picture |