(わさい)

わさい
noun
Japanese-style sewing; making Japanese garments
1. Japanese-style sewing; making Japanese garments
The traditional craft of sewing Japanese clothing such as kimono, yukata, and other traditional garments. Uses techniques distinct from Western dressmaking.
和裁(わさい)(なら)っている。
I am learning Japanese-style sewing.
祖母(そぼ)和裁(わさい)技術(ぎじゅつ)()っている。
My grandmother has Japanese sewing skills.
和裁(わさい)職人(しょくにん)年々(ねんねん)減少(げんしょう)しており、技術(ぎじゅつ)継承(けいしょう)課題(かだい)となっている。
The number of Japanese sewing artisans is declining year by year, and passing on the techniques has become a challenge.

A compound of () (Japanese) and (さい) (cutting/sewing). Contrasted with 洋裁(ようさい) (Western-style dressmaking). Japanese sewing uses different techniques — kimono are sewn entirely by hand with straight seams, and the fabric can be taken apart and resewn.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 和裁(わさい)(なら)う: to learn Japanese sewing
  • 和裁(わさい)教室(きょうしつ): Japanese sewing class
  • 和裁(わさい)(): certified Japanese sewing professional
  • 和裁(わさい)技術(ぎじゅつ): Japanese sewing techniques

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 洋裁(ようさい): Western-style dressmaking — cutting and sewing Western clothing
  • 裁縫(さいほう): sewing — general term for all sewing
  • 仕立(した)て: tailoring — making garments to order