One of the challenges when we go to a quilt show or art exhibit, is to slow down and really see what is in front of us. We tend to unconsciously go with the flow, look for a few moments, and then move on to the next piece.

I've seen both ends of the scale. I've seen people grow bored after looking at the Sistine Chapel ceiling after 5 or 10 minutes. (HOW is that possible??!!) I've also seen someone stand and look at a painting for an hour, and then come back and look some more.

One of the things that really struck me at the Tokyo Quilt Festival is how many of the attendees really and truly LOOKED at the quilts on display. They didn't stand at a distance and look. They got up very close and looked at tiny details and miniscule stitching. They took out their cell phones and took Macro closeup photos of the piecework and embellishments. They would stand and look for a very long time – longer than people tend to look at shows here in the US.

There is a Zen to Looking. Even though the Japanese quilters at this show tend to be unfailingly polite, in the US, standing right in front of a quilt for so long might be seen as a little impolite.

I had fun watching those who were looking. I found it fascinating, to wait and see what it was that would catch their attention and admiration for such a long time. I finally decided that it was simply a very deep and genuine delight and respect for the work of the artist. As it should be.

My friend Akemi had told me once that at 4 pm the show empties out, because the housewives have to get on the train to go home before their husbands get home. I spoke to several ladies and found that this was often true. Many had taken the train for an hour or more into the city to see the quilt show. They would pour out of the train station by the Tokyo Dome by the thousands in the morning…and then they would all pour back to the train station late afternoon.

So as the show began to empty out, I took that time not just to capture photos, but to slow down and really look at the quilts. I looked at the tiny hand-piecing of vintage silk kimono pieces. I looked at the thousands of tiny quilt stitches on huge intricate quilts. I looked at the vintage indigo ikats and stencil prints that had clearly been lovingly collected, carefully cut and pieced into quilts awash in shades of faded blues…

Here is a closeup photo of a piece that really won my heart, when I slowed down and took a close look. This image shows about a 6" wide section of a small handbag that was part of the handbag exhibition. These pieces are wonders of miniature piecing and stitching – sewn into clever portable pieces of art that can be carried in public.

I couldn't find the romaji of the artist's name (the romanization of the Japanese characters) so I have added an image of her name in Japanese characters so she will get proper credit here.

The more you look at this image, the more you will see. Start with the tiny seed beads, then consider the astonishing miniature applique, 3-D roses, and embroidery. Last week I talked about the play of a rich gold against a subtle mauve. Can you see a similar dance of color here?