Ever seen a letter come to life with ants, umbrellas, and tiny footprints? That’s exactly what illustrator and embroidery artist Tomoko Kubo is creating with her incredibly detailed series of embroidered hiragana. She’s on a mission to stitch all 46 characters of the Japanese hiragana alphabet, and each one is filled with miniature embroidered images that start with that specific character.
Take the very first letter, あ (a), for example. Inside its curved shape, you’ll spot things like あり (ants), あめ (rain), and あしあと (footprints)—all hand-stitched with care. The result is both educational and incredibly charming. It’s like a visual scavenger hunt in thread, perfect for anyone learning the Japanese language or simply appreciating a unique kind of textile art.
What started as a personal side project has now become a full-on creative journey. Tomoko Kubo began this series a few years ago, fitting it in between commissioned work and other illustrations. Progress is steady, and the latest character she’s shared is す (su)—putting her almost 30% through the entire set.
Each piece feels like a tiny storybook, combining language, imagery, and craft in a way that’s as playful as it is thoughtful. For kids, language learners, or anyone fascinated by Japanese culture, these stitched characters are a delightful blend of art and education.
Want to follow along? You can catch updates on Tomoko Kubo’s Instagram, where she shares progress shots, finished pieces, and close-ups of her embroidery magic. She also has a shop filled with prints and other goodies if you’d like to bring some of her work home.
Whether you’re studying Japanese or just a fan of beautiful handmade things, her Japanese alphabet embroidery is sure to inspire.
