Bunka shishu (文化刺繍), in English often shortened to
bunka, is a form of
Japanese embroidery originating around the turn of the
20th Century. Bunka artists use a specialized embroidery needle and
rayon threads to create very detailed pictures that some liken to oil paintings. Typical subjects include people, living things (traditionally fish), and traditional Japanese scenes.
Unlike some other forms of embroidery, bunka is fragile and is usually presented as artwork rather than as clothing adornment. Bunka has gained in popularity since the advent of numbered kits, which provide a step-by-step guide to producing artwork.