Do you feel “fear” when I write something about Sashiko (& possibly about Cultural Appropriation)? I am aware that I am privileged in Sashiko – a native Japanese who was born in the Sasiko family with support from artisans with 35+ years of experience. Please understand that my goal is not to scare others (being arrogant), I just want to protect the Sashiko from repainting. I hope many read my writing mindfully. When one starts “thinking” instead of “reacting”, I believe what I write is not arrogant. ☆
I shared my understanding of “Care” and “Love”. Some think that the antonym of “Love” is “Hate”, but my understanding is different. Both Love and Hate are under the category of “Caring”. One hates it because they care. Therefore the antonym of Caring is “Ignorance”. This “Care” has a natural enemy – which is “Fear”. When we fear, we stop caring. A natural instinct of protecting oneself kicks in when one fears, then they stop caring others. It is a saint thing to do when one cares for others when they are in insecurity (filled with fear). I can only continue my sharing because of many supporters including my wife (who work full-time and provide the family). ☆
Fear has 2 kinds. I sincerely hope my mindful writing will not scare the readers. (I will elaborate the 2 kinds of fear in future). ☆ – – – ☆
極端な話をします。刺し子は「自己実現の為の手段」では本来の輝きは存在せず、「誰かの為に作る念」の中に美しさが存在するような気がしています。だから、刺し子においては「何を作るか」よりも、「どう向き合うか」が、最終的な刺し子作品のオーラ（持つ雰囲気）を決めるのかな……と。そういう意味では、僕の刺し子は「受け身（癒やしを求める）」の作品で、恵子さんの刺し子は「攻め（遊び心）」です。いつか実際の刺し子を皆様にお披露目できる日を夢見て。 ☆
2020-05-13 09:18:35
😍😍😍👏👏👏👏👏
わたしは両方のような気がします
This is stunning 💙
beautiful 😍😍❤❤
Defending a way of life from cultural appropriation is not arrogant. The arrogance lies in the entitlement of those who would take of the craft without taking the time to understand the essence of the craft. Cultural appreciation would have one embrace the meaning behind sashiko, as well as enjoying the aesthetic. Cultural appropriation severs the deep and rich culture from the aesthetic. Let’s strive for appreciation, not appropriation. Thank you for continuing to share and educate.
I love your posts and the way you try to teach and share an aspect of your culture. I think those who appropriate don’t fear, because they don’t care. They are apathetic (which is the antonym of love). Those who fear I think do so more out of a fear of causing offence, because they care. I know for myself, when I work on anything sashiko inspired, I am more concerned with using the terms incorrectly than being corrected. I know that I dont have the same point of reference from a cultural standpoint, just my understanding of it. ❤️
From your post I feel many things, your knowledge, wisdom and patience. Other times I feel educated, respect and growing knowledge and acknowledgement of the meaning of what sashiko means to you and to Japanese culture. I do feel fear that is probably more transition into hesitation in starting to practice Sashiko and I have abandoned even trying to replicate Boro. The Boro I love cannot be made and exist in my short time here it is a long journey my privileged 2020 life style can not replicate it out of necessity.
So glad this is offered in English, thank you.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, philosophy and educating about cultural difference history, sashico and boro. It is beneficial and shoes you care deeply for your heritage, culture and your dear readers.
Thank you for the enlightenment. Forgive me if my question is ignorant, for I do not mean to offend you, but I really like the visible mending to give clothes a longer life. Is it okay to call that sashiko / boro inspired?
I always worry when people use the expression “cultural appropriation.” Throughout history there has always been flowing of ideas, styles, methods, from one people to another – whether it be practical arts, philosophies, political ideas, fashions. What we take as cultural norms in a country have inevitably been influenced by, borrowed from or copied by another country. Where do we draw the start line? The political boundaries that contain cultures of today were rarely in place when the first “appropriation” took place… that applies to so many things – even sashiko I suspect!?