Nambu Hishi Sashi is a sashiko embroidery technique from the southern part of Aomori Prefecture, known as one of Japan’s three major sashiko styles alongside Shonai Sashiko and Tsugaru Kogin Sashi. Originating around 250 years ago in the cold Nanbu region, it developed as a way to reinforce and insulate linen garments by layering them with cotton and stitching with linen thread. Evolving into intricate diamond patterns by the late Edo period, Hishi Sashi flourished during the Meiji era, when colorful threads and wool became accessible through expanding trade networks. Women began creating vibrant designs, turning practical embroidery into a form of artistic expression.