Sustainability is a critical concern to care for, yet the definition can be widely discussed. I am learning how I can contribute tol. There is no wonder that caring for Sustainability is good for the environment, which is better for us & future, that we reduce the plastic waste. Reducing the possible pollution is of course important. Since Sashiko became a word for “mending”, I often receive a question about Sustainability. Then, I realize the voice comes from a privileged group in developed countries (including myself). Then, I wonder if we hear the voice from other groups.
☆
I am happy that some find Sashiko as a remedy for Sustainability in Clothing. Sashiko is indeed a practice to appreciate the fabric & what we have (repurpose instead of replace). However, in this trend of “mending”, I often see people saying “We can use whatever we want & upcycle whatever (no need to discuss)” without trying to understand the cultural context behind the word, Sashiko. As a result, they may be repainting, or even worse, destroying the “Cultural” Sustainability. By saying “whatever”, people do not learn the significance of the wisdom, technique, supplies, and many stories why we practice it as “Sashiko”. Is it sustainable? For them, it is sustainable because it satisfies their needs. However, for me, their choice o “repainting culture” isn’t sustainable.
☆
I am looking at 2 sides of sustainability. Therefore, I would like to keep thinking, and try to “acknowledge” the voices from all possible view-points. Sashiko is MORE than a mending technique. What is “Sustainability” for you, after reading this post?
☆
–
–
–
☆
「サステナビリティ」。日本語で言うと、持続可能な循環（社会）のことを指します。布を大切にする針仕事である刺し子。英語圏で頻繁に、この社会課題の解決策の一つとして取り上げられるようになりました。大量生産大量消費の対比となる動きとして……です。僕自身、持続可能な社会には関心があり、できる限りの事はしようと思っています。ただ、ふと思ったのが、「持続可能！」と叫んでいる人に限って、「今の生活がある程度安定している人」だと気がついたのです。尻に火はついていない。少し乱暴に言うと、他人事。刺し子も似ていて、僕は今なりふり構わず刺し子について情報発信をしていますが、英語で「刺し子は〜」と薀蓄を語っている人は、刺し子がどう変化しても大丈夫な人達です。次の流行に移るから。残されるのは、形が変わった文化だけです。それは持続可能と呼べるのか？「持つ人」の自己満足になっていないのか。いろいろ考えながら、今後も刺し子を発信し、日本的な思いを言葉にしていけたらと思っています。
☆
2021-10-08 09:19:08
😌👍
Thank you so much for sharing of yourself, your culture and your artistry. I learn so much by reading your posts. When folks ask about my visible mending and ask if it’s sashiko or boro, I say that I’m inspired by them but it’s not mine. And I give them links to your ig and other Japanese artists. I mend my spouse’s clothes and it feels like love and joy and not throwing away or donating the material of them. And in turn, my spouse wears them as they do maintenance on our home. We take care of each other and the mending is part of that. Thanks again!
Sustainability is a lie. Is imposible getting sustainability in a world with limited sources and an exponential population grow.
That was a new thought for me! Thank you for that. I think a lot about sustainability and such, but mostly from a material perspective. You are illuminating the cultural perspective which I had not thought about much at all. It certainly is out of mainstream attention. Yet it seems important. Life gets very bland without tapestry of culture, the stories and links to the past. Maybe things are more meaningful when the stories are preserved and cherished – sustained.
The idea of sustainability to me is (partly) no longer acquiring more “things” by devising innovating solutions from what I have; also keeping what I have and reducing responsibly. The culture of the US is not sustainable. Overproduction and distribution of plastics that people want to believe are recyclable (they aren’t being recycled) and no accountability for solutions by the producers of it are an issue. “Retail therapy” and always wanting more are sad nails on the coffin of responsible living. If you think you need more storage, you probably really need less things. We are full of crap.
他人事…なるほど 小綺麗でお洒落な循環 刺し子が、たくさんの文化がどう扱われているのか少し見えてきます 日本での異文化などの消費とどこかちょっと違う印象も受けました それこそが「文化の違い」なのかも
Continuity; honouring the history/past life of the fabric/wearer; adding individuality; holding of emotion; caring; sharing
Intimacy – through what is revealed by the pattern of wear, and the making whole again
To me sustainability is about respect, respect for the material you’re working with, respect for the tradition and the people it came from and respect for the planet by not wasting anything that still can be of use. And maybe respect for myself too, by working in a way/position/environment that is not damaging my body. To me it all goes together, if one element is missing it’s not really sustainable.
💙
Honesty, integrity, meditation, contemplation, decluttering of the mind giving inner life and refreshing the soul