RINKOGIN　＜りん木gin＞ by KAYOKO SATO from japan

Hirosaki, Japan is well known for its apples and apple products. It is the largest producer of apples in country. We have combined an embroidery technique from the Edo period, kogin-zashi, and prunings from Hirosaki’s apple trees.

Kogin-zashi is a needlework technique that was developed to help protect the people of Tsugaru against the harsh winter weather. This was accomplished by embroidering cotton thread into linen garments.

After harvest, the arborists prune the apple trees to improve upon or maintain the health of the trees. Much like what kogin-zashi did for the people, this process also prepares the trees for and protects them from the winter to come. These prunings are sorted through by hand and the best pieces are naturally dried. The drying process takes 2 years to complete.

“Rinkogin” is crafted by combining the dried cuttings from Hirosaki’s matured apple trees (Ringo no ki) and Kogin-zashi.