In the FB Group where I am the admin, I received a very important reply to my explanation. It was: “When you use words in anger, it can be misunderstood by Americans, who find it offensive. This is not Japan!”. Well. These 2 sentences literally indicate the issues I am experiencing.
☆
In FB & IG, where I am the admin, I want it to be as “Japanese” as possible. SNS is borderless. It is neither Japan or America. Therefore, I specify everywhere my message: this is “space by the Japanese for the Japanese culture (Sashiko/Boro)”. Therefore, I say, please take off the shoes, before addressing their “right”.
☆
Also, their reply minimizes the pain (anger) of the C/A or other issues by minorities. Since Americans will find it offensive, the minorities have to be quiet (say nothing)? It is not about “misunderstanding” what I write/speak as they say. My voice is “Filtered” by their privilege.
☆
If you are an American here, I am so sorry that they spoke on your behalf. I respect America where my daughter identifies herself. I know you are a lot better than this (therefore you are reading this). However, please also be advised that “ignorance like this” happens, unfortunately, kind of “often”. It usually is not as obvious as this reply on FB. (Photo is based on my hope of good mixture of US & Japan – Cupcake & Sashiko).
☆
–
–
–
☆
誤解を招く危険性を承知で書きますが、「日本人が思う刺し子であれば、”刺し子”で良い！」と思っています。◯◯刺し子と名前がついた刺し子もあれば、無名のまま残り、或いは無名のまま歴史に埋もれてしまった沢山の針仕事があったと思うからです。「◯◯は刺し子じゃないのでは？」と思われるのも大切な刺し子の一部で、その「日本人の刺し子の全て」を残すことが僕の一番の願いです。（ここでの「日本人」とは、日本の当たり前に説明がいらない方です。玄関で靴脱がないと気持ち悪い経験がしたことがある人とかです）。
☆
味噌汁の具と出汁に絶対的な正解がないように、刺し子にも正解がありません。どこが境界線かなぁと一緒に考えたくて昔作った言葉が「日本の刺し子を再定義する」ですが、これは「再定義」という言葉への前提が違って、僕の失敗でした。反省です。でも、思いは残っています。味噌汁の具に……何を入れたら味噌汁じゃなくなるのか？を知りたい（笑）そこまでの過程は全て「味噌汁」として残しておきたい。そんな思いを写真と共に残すようにFBで皆様にも投稿頂けるグループを作っています。もし宜しければ、ご協力頂けると嬉しいです。（https://www.facebook.com/groups/JapaneseSashiko）
☆
2021-04-11 12:22:53
If you, for example, tell me this stitch is wrong.. Well I can understand, because Sashiko and Boro embroidery not are my “cup of tea” if I think “ok this teacher is bad” is only for the teaching tecnique, not for her nationalities. But the world is big and the people so differents
In the social justice world we call that “tone policing” and yes, it is full of white privilege. Unfortunately, there are still so many folx who insist that you be polite to them despite all of the harm they caused. I’m so sorry that you have to deal with this. I will do my best to support you and I so appreciate all things you have taught me about sashiko and your culture. It is such a gift. ❤️🪡
Spot on! It is ridiculous to have to be silent to protect the comfort of the privileged. In fact, little learning takes place without some discomfort to motivate change. Thank you for illuminating the Japanese culture and challenging us to understand more than just our own culture.
Thank you for saying and saying this. It is important.
😌😊🧡
Not all Americans are offended and soft shelled. I appreciate your teaching.
i don’t know if you would be interested/have already done this, but maybe you could write a patreon/IG post about the differences in anger between japan/america? i had no idea about it!
I admire how you express yourself and your truth in a language that is not your mother tongue. As a british-born chinese person, I have the language but lack the courage to openly talk about the issues you raise of c/a and white privilege . Keep doing what you do, please. You’re a great teacher. Thank you.
They were definitely trying to silence your voice. Anger is a valid emotion, and your language is never cruel or demeaning. Your language is firm, but also welcoming even as you tell us the truth about the frustrations and heartbreak of cultural appropriation. This person seems like they do not want to hear this truth, and that’s sad. I hope they can overcome that, because you’re sharing so much with us.
If anger can be misunderstood those same people would not be using it for issues “they” care about. Say what you need to say with whatever emotions you need to express your feelings.
私もそう思います。芸術的な今の刺し子は素敵ですが、昔の生活の一部だった刺し子に私はとても興味があり、そちらの方が好きです。何時までも見ていられます。
Also: It’s your Instagram page, you can express yourself however your darn well please!
❤️❤️ Thank you for continuing to share. I so admire and respect your work and your story.
You are Japanese, Sashiko is Japanese. How can it be wrong to express yourself and sashiko in anyway fit to yourself ? I don’t understand the ignorance of people obviously they do not like the idea of someone owning their culture and speaking for it and of it. Speak Atsushi san and speak as loud as you want .
This needs to be said again and again. Respect to you 🙏🏻