Welcome to the 1rst BunkaCraft Newsletter! My name is Darlene Cormier and I have been a Bunka Artist for many years.  As a teacher, I have met many people who find the art of Bunka to be a satisfying endeavor.  As a supplier of authentic Japanese kits and a designer of my own line of kits and teaching aids I am creating this Newsletter to help keep you informed about this wonderful, unique embroidery art. New From Tokyo Bunka: As many of you know, there has been a new Tokyo Catalogue printed showing several new beautiful designs including views of Mt. Fuji, Dharma ( the father of Zen Buddhism ), Kannon the symbol of Peace, and two of the seven Japanese Gods of good fortune. Featured Kits:  Kannon the Goddess of Peace   The focus of this edition is to showcase two of the new Tokyo Bunka Kits and also provide a bit of interesting information regarding the symbolism found in the images.  Tokyo Bunka Kit T-903 (top left) Kannon is a Buddhist symbol of Peace, Compassion and Mercy and is also associated with motherhood and children. Kit T-903 shows Kannon descending from the heavens toward the earthly plane on a cloud.  She holds a willow branch which is used to ward off evil and to ease pain and suffering.  The lotus blossom signifies compassion, purity of heart and love.  Kannon is standing on a flowering lotus and this is a symbol of enlightenment.  The soft glow encircling her head is a halo.

Tokyo Bunka Kit T-211 (middle right) is also a representation of Kannon.  Here she is seated on a lotus flower.  Her "posture" indicates meditation and enlightenment.  As with T-903, she is shown with a halo.  Contained within the halo are Tridents ( or 3 pronged pitch forks ) and these are symbolic of overcoming the three poisons of Greed, Anger, and Ignorance.  At the bottom of the picture is a small water jar and it is said that to drink from it will grant spiritual cleansing, wisdom and knowledge.

Matsuhato kit M-2551 (bottom left)  Usually Kannon is depicted in a feminine sense, but in older times was viewed as a more androgynous figure appearing with both male and female characteristics.  This stunning Matsuhato kit is based on a painting from the early 1800's and is recommended for those who are more experienced stitchers. It is important, I think, to note that Kannon is the most recognized symbol of peace in Japan today.  So important that there is a large statue of Kannon built in part, from stone originally from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.    Other News: Matsuhato There seems to be some confusion out there as to the availability of Matsuhato kits!  Matsuhato kits are available.  The company has  NOT gone out of business nor have they fallen through a rabbit hole and ended up in Wonderland or heaven forbid.. Oz.  Please know that the Matsuhato company are very much in business and are continuing to supply their beautiful kits.  Any questions that you may have, I will do my best to answer. Unfortunately, Matsuhato threads are not available in bulk at this time.  So if you are considering stitching original designs, please use Tokyo ( Kao ) for the time being.  BunkaCraft:  New Kit design!  BC-201 Red Poppies My new Poppies kit is now avaiable.  Size 1 beautiful red poppies.  What more can I say!  Comming next month: More on Japanese symbolism in kits.  Plus, a new Level 2 Sampler will be available... Take care, Darlene

Importer of Authentic Japanese Bunka Embroidery

info@bunkacraft.com

© Darlene Cormier  2008  All Rights Reserved.

All Text and Images are copyright protected and where necessary, permission for use has been granted.