Issun-bōshi Sewing Pin Cushion and Pins by Hiro

Kanazawa is the castle town of Ishikawa in north central Japan. It is known for its fine crafts, and among them its sewing kits.

Hiro is a small garment maker in the town, passing through the generations for more than 80 years.

With a total of five employees, they now specialise in sewing accessories that show off various aspects of Kanazawa’s craft tradition, including lacquerware, yuzen dye and painted porcelain ceramics.

This set narrates the Japanese folk tale of Issun-bōshi. A sun, is an ancient measurement of around 3cm. The lead character in the tale was born to this height, and never grows bigger. That is, until he encounters the magic hammer dropped by an oni demon. Previously he has used a pin sized sword to escape from the same demon’s stomach.

There are several versions of the tale, and this set allows you to imagine them while sewing with Issun-bōshi, oni, pin sword and magic hammer themed pins.

They are presented within a Yamanaka lacquerware bowl, and onto a local Noto fabric that is decorated with the classic seigaiha wave pattern.

Small like the story’s lead character, the set fits into the palm of a hand.

It is presented within a box, and comes with a small illustrated scroll of the Issun-bōshi story.

Size: Length 8 cm x Width 8 cm x Depth 6.5 cm