Kogin sashimi kit goldfish nebuta

◆ Kogin embroidery kit Goldfish Nebuta / Goldfish Neputa Enjoy the season with this Kogin embroidery kit, today's feature is Goldfish Nebuta / Neputa. I wrote a blog about this last year as well, but this time I'll be talking about the contents of the kit.
In Aomori, even in the smallest villages (including Namioka Hongo, where I grew up), the summer festivals that people look forward to are the Nebuta Festival and the Neputa Festival . An essential part of these festivals is this goldfish-shaped nebuta , or goldfish nebuta. (I think "Nebutakaneputaka" is on the same level as "Koginza" or "Koginsaka").)
The combination of fabric and thread will vary depending on the kit you choose.
①Tsugaru Kobo Kogin Dowel (hemp) and Tsugaru Kogin thread
② Koginbank original Kogin cloth (cotton) and Handicraft Fan hand-dyed Kogin thread ③ Zweigart Dublin (linen) and Hida Sashiko thread.

The difficulty level is 2. The traditional pattern has been carefully designed, so even those who have never embroidered Kogin embroidery before can enjoy the design . However, beginners may find the tail fin a little difficult. Please take your time and enjoy the rhythm of Kogin.
This kit was featured in the July 24, 2022 edition of the To-o Nippo (a local newspaper in Aomori Prefecture). We usually receive orders fairly evenly from all over the country, but thanks to this, this was our largest opportunity to ship to Aomori to date. Even with orders from outside Aomori, many customers included a message saying, "I'm from Aomori," making this a special piece that evokes local love.

(Permission has been obtained to introduce this on the blog)

◆Material introduction
Tsugaru Kobosha Kogin Duel (Azabu)
The pattern is vertical, and I felt that this fabric would express the farewell paintings of the Hirosaki Neputa festival within the Goldfish Neputa. I think you can stitch without breaking the threads by plucking (lifting) them like the strings of a stringed instrument.

koginbank original kogin cloth (cotton cloth)
This is my favorite Kogin fabric, attractive for its well-balanced suppleness in terms of the tension of the fabric and the movement of the woven threads . I recommend this fabric to anyone who is curious about what thread skewering is and what it feels like . The off-white color has changed since 2023, and the color has been changed. I will introduce the sample as soon as it is completed. Other colors available include blue and red, which have a muted atmosphere.

Zweigart Dublin (German linen/25ct)
As you can see in the photo, the same design can be used to create a small goldfish nebuta. You can stitch with a kogin needle without any problems, but if you don't usually stitch with fine-meshed fabrics, I recommend using a magnifying glass or similar. The thickness of the sashiko thread seems just right for expressing the pattern.

Tsugaru Kogin Thread by Tsugaru Kobo
This is an original Supima combed Kogin thread from Tsugaru Kobosha. It's a soft, glossy, vibrantly colored thread that you'll want to handle gently. I think it pairs well with Kogin Duel in terms of materials. It creates a gorgeous atmosphere.

Handicraft Fan Hand-dyed Kogin Yarn
　This thread is recommended by Satonobo, as it has a matte texture and appearance that makes it easy to stitch with.It creates a casual, cute, and warm atmosphere in your projects, so it would also make a great souvenir for family members returning home.

I happened to pick up Hida Sashiko thread during a trip to Takayama, and it's a sturdy, easy-to-stitch thread, and it stitches smoothly and easily even on Zweigart linen. The color is vibrant, and it gives off a cute and lively look, which I think is perfect for the Goldfish Nebuta.