I recently learn the new word, “Cultural Appropriation.” I have been surfing online reading about this topic. The more I read it, the more I get confused. My brain is fried 😀
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As much as I would like to share; ”there is no rule in Sashiko & no such a thing as right Sashiko and Wrong Sashiko,” there are things which is NOT Sashiko. For example, some people call Asanoha or the other famous geometric pattern as “Sashiko Pattern” but there are not such a thing as “Sashiko Pattern” because Sashiko is a form of stitching. They are the Japanese geometric pattern. So, a T-shirt with a geometric pattern printed is not the Sashiko shirt.
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Is it one’s responsibility to explain everything to the other cultural group in the common lanugage? Or, does it become the “Cultural Inappropriate case” because of this instant gratification (Quick Answer by the Internet) influenced the cultural exhange opportunity? Our goal is to share the Sashiko culture, not only the technique but also the mindset behind it. I hope I am not offending anyone, yet respecting the cultural appropriation as well. Honestly, I didn’t think about it when I was in Japan. Only thing I worried was those who came to us and took a bunch of photos without permission. I am learning as well.
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最近、“Cultural Appropriation”という単語を真剣に調べだしました。各々の文化を大切にする英語圏では、「文化の私物化」として、縁もゆかりもない文化を借りて私物化するような行為として批判があるようです。Kimono, Sushi, Sashiko, Futon. 日本文化も言葉と共に変化していきます。これ、文化の変化と何が違うのか。そこも調べたいなぁと。ちなみに米国で「布団」は、「ベッドになるソファ」のことを意味します。刺し子も何か違う意味があるんじゃねーかとドキドキ。日本から出て始めて実感する不思議さです。愛されてるのかね、日本、
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2019-02-04 21:56:18
Oof. Cultural appropriation. Words that come to my mind are : intentions, sensitivity (to the other culture), research and open discussion.
@minus.30.celcius “Oof” Indeed 😀 It is NOT my intention have the criticism debate here. I am still in my learning process. Thank you for sharing your words.
Thank you for your honest impressions. I live with these questions. I am a older white American woman. I have found such inspiration from sashiko stitching. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
You can’t appropriate your own culture @sashi.co 😘
Thank you for sharing it intelligently, thoroughly and lovingly. People who love sashiko from other cultures can learn everything they need from you to make sure they apply cultural appreciation and not ignorantly appropriate without understanding the history or subtle differences between words and techniques.
Cultural appropriation is really complicated and can be incredibly insensitive, especially when applied mindlessly by big fashion companies as if they invented a technique/aesthetic without even a nod to its origins. Just to make a quick buck.
Worse when it’s say, Indian cultural appropriation by big fashion houses making fast fashion using the modern day slavery the West has nourished in India.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge x
Beautiful 🌺❤
@k.shiveroy Thank you for the comment. You live with these questions, too? Your wisdom would be very much appreciated. It is a completely new world for me, and I wouldn’t have got in if I didn’t move to the US. I will keep sharing what I can 😀
@the_dyery I cannot appropriate my own culture ! LOL !! I once saw the big online store selling the bed-cover saying “Sashiko Bed Cover” and found out that was printed. I felt strange, and a bit frustrated. I didn’t know why I felt that way, but this word, “Cultural appropriation” gave me a starting point to look into.
I don’t want to spread the impression that I am saying I am right and the other is wrong. Again, I believe Sashiko is for everyone from the ordinary Japanese. I would like to respect as much as we can, and possibly protect it from “disposable marketing ideas”. Thank you for helping me out!
👏 thanks for sharing your thoughts so respectfully. you give me the cha ce to rethink some things and also I learn form othera thoughts
Your explanation of cultural appropriation is on point and I hear what you said. I’ve been thinking about that too and am personally appreciative of you or anyone else who shares their cultural history, it broadens everyone’s experience.
As a new sashiko learner, THIS has been huge for me. It’s one of the reasons I looked for a Japanese source to check and learn from, and ultimately found this account. It’s important to be able to credit where I learned this from and to point others in the direction of the cultural tradition, instead of taking credit myself or attributing it to a new fashion trend.
@esebichocolorado Thank you! I am learning as well, and any opportunity to understand the others would be appreciated. It is the “care” I always mention.
@lmorganreynolds Thank you. I am glad that I didn’t talk about Cultural appropriation in a wrong direction. I simply would like to share the mindset and beauty of Sashiko, which is kind of far side from “commercial”. It is important to make it sustainable, but I don’t want to disgrace Sashiko by converting it to only money. Thank you for your comment.
@preservefoodskills Thank you for the comment! I also believe that it is our (Japanese) responsibility to try to care (explain) the history and fact. However, Language, culture (shame), and people aren’t really a help to “share.” Therefore, I feel it is our fate to do so. I happened to be born in Sashiko family, happened to study in the US for collage, and happened to live in the US with non-Japanese family. Life is so interesting, and my goal is to share & care. The person like you with a lot of care and respect should apply any of thing I share here to new things. It is how the culture develop, I believe. Thank you!