colorful kogin embroidery makes insect brooches as cute as mochi

the straight-stitched bugs below (insects, if picky) were embroidered and pinned by hiné mizushima. embroiderers will recognize the japanese kogin stitching thanks to the brooches’ repeat patterns and symmetrical forms. what with their many eyes, legs, wings, stripes, floral-associations and other patterns — insects are the perfect specimen for kogin embroidery. for the rest of us: a plate full of broochy eye candy.

all images courtesy of hiné mizushima

to make things better, hiné mizushima has spread them with pops on pops of color. throw in a surgical knife, a plate, and arrange them just so and you get brooches that look more like mochi. a plate of embroidered delicatessens. the least serial-killer-looking insectarium ever conceived. pin them on a plaque, or a jump-suit, or set them on a plate and salivate to the oddest things you’ve ever salivated to.