I am here to share the Sashiko we practice. The majority of people here understand what I am trying to share – the stories developed in the different culture from theirs. At the same time, I have numbers of “trolls (haters)” as well. I believe it is because I say what I need to say instead of faking myself to be nice. One may like/study Japanese or Japanese culture, but it doesn’t make them my friend. I want to be your friend, but friendship requires some honesty and integrity. “I study Zen (so I know you more)” is a wrongful statement from many perspectives.
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I guess what I am doing now is very against the social requirement to be “successful”. Since my goal is very simple & clear, to pass down the Sashiko with as few unnecessary changes as possible, I say something they do not want to hear. Japanese are nice in many ways – however, it may be just them not saying what they really think because they exclude others first. I used to. Now, I prioritize honesty. The Japanese have a word for “Showing side (Tatemae)” and “Hiding Side (Honne)” in what we do/say. It is the same in Sashiko. At the same time, therefore, we developed the culture of making both sides as the “finished side”. It is okay to make knots in Sashiko. However, it is NOT okay to tell/teach others that “people made knots in Sashiko” if you aren’t Japanese. There are artisans who tried their best to improve their skill so they didn’t need knots, and we received that skill. (The Jacket is single layer with both sides as the “clean” side).
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先日からご紹介しているジャケット、お気づきの方もいらっしゃるかもしれませんが、一枚布を繋ぎ合わせて作っています。裏布を貼ってはいません。刺し子において「玉止め」をすることは、間違いでも駄目なことでもありません。ただ、日本人以外の人が、「刺し子は玉止めをする」と教えるのはどうなのかなと思います。そこには裏付けがないから。重ねができる上で玉止めを理由と共に進めるのは良いのですが、重ねと重ねに耐えうる糸を作ってきた職人を蔑ろにする流れは、やっぱり止めたいんですよね。「重ねを敢えてせず玉止め」と「重ねできないから玉止め」の間には違いがあって、それを日本語以外で教える場合は、文化を壊していると理解して欲しいんです。（日本国内であれば玉止めをする刺し子が存在しただろうと思うので、重ねができなくても問題はないと思っています。日本語では簡単に文化を統一化はできないので。）
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2021-05-07 12:22:19
I think all cultures have a “Showing side” and a “Hiding side”, it just that it is not always shown with words that expressly discribe it. I think the advantage of being a person who makes things, is you learn to be as interested in the showing side, as you are in the hiding side. It is both a blessing and at times a source of disappointment.
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Honesty 😌🙏
I’m sorry that people have the capacity to be so awful to others.
Thank you for being so honest and clear about your intentions with your work and the work of your family, teachers and ancestors. I love the metaphor of a piece being “clean” on both sides, that in the big picture knots can disappear and Tatemae and Honne become one. Gasho.
Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talent !! Be sure that it touches the heart of people in search of beauty 🌝💕💐🦚🙏✨✨✨✨✨
玉止めをすると教えている方の感想を聞いてみたいです。
Love all your posts. I learn so much from them. I’m knew to Sashiko and love the history. I love learning all I can. You are an incredible source of information.
i am a zen practitioner. i am trying to understand your story. are you angry about cultural appropriation? i am a second generation japanese american. i would like to understand your story.
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I am very interested in learning how to stitch without knots!! I love this art, thank you
I absolutely love this. and how you come across. So easy for me to follow. Normal down to earth 🥰