Big Springs — A group of quilters from Japan have been visiting their American counterparts in Lawrence.
Quilting, which has been a craft both for decoration and practicality for more than 100 years in the United States, is now all the rage in Japan, a group of Japanese visitors said.
"Quilting is very popular in Japan -- there are many people who like it," said Yuko Terai, one of seven Japanese woman who are in a quilting group in Japan.
The group, which arrived in Lawrence on Sunday, are visiting members of the Kaw Valley Quilter's Guild.
On Tuesday night they were at the home of Kaw Valley member Joyce Colton near Big Springs, for a pot luck dinner.
Their trip, for which they saved their money for three years, is part of a grass-roots visit in the Lawrence sister city program with Hiratsuka, Japan.
They have been learning about the history of the area, and have made stops at several museums and quilt shops.
The women have stayed in the homes of members of the Kaw Valley group.
In addition, the Japanese woman and their American hosts have been able to talk shop, in regard to their craft.
"They're contemporary quilts are variations on our traditional quilts," said Bobbie-Frances McDonald, a member of the Kaw Valley group.
For example, she said, many American quilts have a symmetrical color pattern, while the Japanese have been stitching quilts with asymmetrical colors.
Also, many Japanese quilts are made of silk.
Quilting has become extremely popular in Japan within the last 20 years, members of the delegation said.
Quilt shows in the larger Japanese cities will draw 5,000 to 6,000 people a day, said Carol Shankel, a member of the Friends of Hiratsuka.
"The pioneer quilts really appeal to them because they really like the history," she said.
"This is the first time I have seen so many quilts," said Hiroko Ogawa, a member of the group.
"The ones from the Civil War (era), I was very impressed," she said. "And they stayed in good condition for how old they are."
Jitsuko Kihara, another member of the group, said quilting is liked by women everywhere.
"Women like hand-made things, all over," she said.
Other members of the group are Michiko Hosono, Yoshiko Mikawa, Hiroko Ogawa and Fumiko Ato.
They will be in Lawrence through Thursday morning.
-- Michael Dekker's phone message number is 832-7187. His e-mail address is mdekker@ljworld.com.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.