Silken Threads: A History of Embroidery in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam

by Young Yang Chung

Master embroiderer and world-renowned textile historian Young Yang Chung brings a wealth of new information to light in Silken Threads, to date one of the most authoritative and comprehensive guides to the origins, history, aesthetics, and cultural context of embroidered textiles in East Asia. Lavishly illustrated with photographs of magnificent dragon and bridal robes, rank badges, kimonos, and other gorgeous embroidered textiles, this book is not only an indispensable reference in the field but also a delight to the eye.

The reader will discover in greater detail than ever before the fascinating evolution of the elaborately embroidered rank badge, a crucial element of clothing for all government officials at court in East Asian cultures. Chung's recent findings about Korean and Vietnamese embroidery traditions are also new to this book. The author's many revelations, uncovered through intensive research since the publication of her 1979 book The Art of Oriental Embroidery, should settle longstanding debates among textile scholars. AUTHOR Young Yang Chung, world-renowned embroiderer, is the author of Abrams' Painting with a Needle. Her 1979 book, The Art of Oriental Embroidery, was the first English-language book devoted to the development of silk embroidery in East Asia. She divides her time between her native Korea and New York. Robert D. Mowry is the Alan J. Dworsky Curator of Chinese Art at the Harvard University Art Museums.

Genres: History, Fashion, Nonfiction, China, Art, Cultural

464 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2005

Reviews

[Claire Sigal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most beautiful book of embroidery.

[thistle]

The subtitle is somewhat misleading; there is much here on Chinese and Korean embroidery, a little on Japanese embroidery, and a wee bit on Vietnamese. At least they're listed in the "correct" order. Fascinating work as long as you aren't reading for Japanese or Vietnamese textile history....

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank heavens for libraries. wonderful descriptions of the clothes of ancient Korea & Japan.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect!