⭐ Monthly Japanese Cross‑Stitch Books to Spark Your Creativity !

Every month, I love taking a little journey through the world of Japanese cross‑stitch—and inviting you to come along. Japan has a wonderfully rich stitching culture, filled with delicate illustrations, seasonal motifs, and book designs that spark the imagination. To share that joy, I’ve started a monthly series where I introduce one or more cross‑stitch books currently popular in Japan. Some are whimsical and story‑like, others nostalgic or inspired by the changing seasons, but all of them offer a unique window into Japanese craft aesthetics.

From time to time, I may also highlight titles that appear in Amazon Japan’s rankings or even compare them with what’s trending on international Amazon sites. It’s fascinating to see how different regions fall in love with different styles—and how Japanese designers continue to inspire stitchers around the world.

Whether you’re looking for your next project, exploring new artistic styles, or simply enjoying the beauty of Japanese craft culture, I hope these monthly features bring a spark of creativity to your day. Let’s discover new designs together and keep our needles moving with joy.

1｜“Fushigi no Kuni no Cross Stitch” by Rei Kur

A beautifully curated collection inspired by the whimsical world of fairy tales and fantasy. Rei Kurahashi is known for her delicate lines and storybook-like motifs, and this book brings together charming characters, dreamy landscapes, and nostalgic scenes.
Why it appeals to international readers:

• Distinctly Japanese illustration style with a soft, poetic atmosphere
• Designs that feel like stepping into a picture book
• Great for stitchers who enjoy narrative, detailed patterns
• Available on Kindle, making it easy to access from abroad
  
  Available on Kindle

“Fushigi no Kuni no Cross Stitch” by Rei Kurahashi

Illustrations by popular illustrator Kurahashi Rei have been turned into cross-stitch pieces. Kurahashi's unique illustrations have been embroidered, featuring children, animals, cats with various expressions, and children in each season.

https://amzn.to/4rfY7Q9

2｜“Nostalgic Cross Stitch and Fabric Accessories” by Komori Komari

This book blends cross‑stitch with small handmade fabric items—pouches, bags, accessories, and home décor. The designs have a warm, nostalgic charm, often inspired by everyday Japanese life and gentle vintage motifs.
Why it appeals to international readers:

• A mix of stitching and sewing projects
• Soft, retro-inspired color palettes
• Perfect for those who love practical handmade items
• Physical book only, which adds to its “craft book treasure” feel
  
  Print edition only (no Kindle version)

“Nostalgic Cross Stitch and Fabric Accessories” by Komori Komari

A collection of cross-stitch patterns and fabric accessories inspired by plants, buildings, vintage book covers, old botanical guides, and more that catch one's eye while on a walk.

https://amzn.to/4tAtDtM

3｜“Tiny Worlds in Cross Stitch: Seasonal Designs” by Azumamaiko

A delightful collection of miniature seasonal scenes—spring blossoms, summer festivals, autumn foliage, winter coziness. Each design captures a small “world” filled with Japanese seasonal beauty.
Why it appeals to international readers:

• A lovely introduction to Japan’s seasonal culture
• Small, quick-to-stitch motifs
• Ideal for gifts, ornaments, and framed miniatures
• Available on Kindle for easy global access
  
  Available on Kindle

“Tiny Worlds in Cross Stitch: Seasonal Designs” by Azumamaiko

A collection of cross-stitch projects that can be made and displayed throughout the year. Each artist has designed a theme that aligns with the season, featuring animals enjoying seasonal fashion, world travel, swags, seasonal flowers and girls, sweets and coffee, and more, making for a series that will have you wanting to make multiple copies. There are also designs that can be used as gifts for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, birthdays, and more.

On Amazon Japan, there is no dedicated “Cross‑Stitch” category. All titles are grouped under the broader Embroidery & Sashiko section, where most top‑ranked books are general embroidery or sashiko. Within the top 30, only three were true cross‑stitch books.

Please note that Amazon Japan’s rankings update every hour based on sales, so the positions may shift. For now, I’m highlighting the cross‑stitch titles that appeared in the latest snapshot. And if readers are interested, I may also introduce some beautiful sashiko books in future posts.

 😊Happy creation !