Japan has a long tradition of beadwork bags as they are popular with kimono wearers and so fit with the long history of the kimono and its iconic place in Japanese conciousness.

The workshop, Kurenai kai, started making beadwork bags just after WW2. Recently, this beautiful craft has become fashionable again with many followers all over the world.

We have reproduced here some Phase works made by UK teachers. These teachers are members of the Japanese Embroidery Guild and can be contacted through the Guild website if you are interested in classes