I learned that, in the US, it is almost “taboo” to talk about “death”. When we n

I learned that, in the US, it is almost “taboo” to talk about “death”. When we need to talk, the phrases “Past Away” and “Lost” will be used to avoid unnecessary discomfort. It may be the same in Japan. However, since I was raised in a unique environment, I had a lot of opportunities to think about it. “Think” may be a bit of a light word for that. Probably, “face to it” may be the better explanation. In my life, I barely talk about death in English. I follow the US custom there. Here, I will talk about it just a bit.

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When one has to stitch for survival in harsh conditions, the possible “death” would be right next to them. Lack of Food, Cold Winter, and Accidents & Disease, anything can bring them death. In fact, I believe, facing death without interpretation was their way to survive another day. Since they gained another day to survive, they appreciated what they had. We may learn how to appreciate “it” when we face to lose it. 

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I am NOT saying we have to face it to appreciate, or practice Sashiko. It is the best thing that we can “choose” what we want. However, when it comes to “defining what it is”, saying “whatever is good” is disrespectful to the culture (especially if one is not from the culture they discuss) without learning history. Boro is the extreme result of their survival. It means days after days of facing death (by Japanese) created Boro. I think that damaging fabric on purpose and calling it Boro (mainly for money or showing off) exists on the completely opposite side of what the Japanese did. 

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米国に移住して思うのは、「死」という概念そのものがタブー視されているということ。ほとんど語られる事はありません。僕が知らないだけで、日本でも「死」について語る事はタブー視されているのかもしれません。ただ、昔に襤褸を作った日本人のすぐ横には「死」が存在しましたし、僕もそれなりに死について考える人生を歩んできました。そもそも、日本人の「死生観」は独特です。死を穢れとする神道と、死を仏・輪廻転生の一歩と捉える仏教が同時に信じられているので、前提の段階で訳がわかりません（笑）ふと思うのは、「死」を意識すると、「今（の当たり前）」がとてつもなく愛おしくなるのです。感謝もそこから生まれたりします。だからこそなのですが、感謝って意図的にしようと思うものじゃなくて、ふと湧き上がる気持ちなんだと思っています。

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2021-07-13 19:57:23

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