Thank you for sending many messages about my voice on NPR Radio on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, I couldn’t listen to it real time due to my condition. However, I got a link, and I will share it on my Instagram Story later on (You can also search for the archive with “The ‘visible mending’ trend of fixing clothes can be traced to a Japanese tradition”).
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It is true that the key to sustainable fashion exists in our closet. Celebrating the mending is a fantastic trend. However, it doesn’t mean that “one (western) truth” can destroy the cultural practice existing on the other ends. If one doesn’t care to respect the stories, people and culture behind the word, then they shouldn’t use the word. Mending is a great part of Sashiko, but Sashiko isn’t the word for mending. I am tired of this emotional labor. I wish I didn’t have to spend so much time & effort to protect my own identity. Some kindly advise me to rest: however, then who is going to speak up about what I have been identifying myself with?
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Respectful Media such as NPR listening to me is a sign of change: that my voice is finally getting louder enough to be heard – over someone’s voice with privilege and/or ignorance. It is an outcome of daily voice, as well as you who keep following me here. I appreciate your support. Just a little bit more: until someone after me can fully feel safe in our practice, please help us out by spreading the words.
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先日、NPRという公共ラジオ放送番組にて、刺し子について話した言葉を使って頂きました。リアルタイムの参加ではなく録音での参加でしたが、高校時代の私を知っている人から見れば、あの淳の英語がNPRで流れるなんてのは、とんでもない話だと。実際私自身が英語で生活して英語でメディアに話していることが現実味がないので（なので、みなさんも英語はできるようになりますというお話しです）。
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英語ができるようになると世界が広がります。逆にいうと、「英語ができるだけ」で多数派になります。刺し子でも同様のことが起きていて、「日本語は知らんし日本文化も興味ない。でも英語はできる」人が刺し子を教えていることがあります。それが嫌なんですよね。まだまだ終わりは見えませんが、始まってはいます。引き続き頑張ります。
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2022-03-28 09:26:48
Congrats! NPR is fantastic. I wish for your own sake that you wouldn’t feel exhausted about the message. Anyone who knows more about something is going to have to keep starting the message cycle over for newer audiences. There is no excuse for people who argue and forge ahead their own way despite hearing that their usage is insensitive and misrepresentation of what Sashiko is. But so many are listening and learning, and many are hearing it for the first time.
I did visible mending on my jeans using your threads and needle you sent, and fabric from my late father’s clothing. I didn’t do Sashiko. 😁
Trust me, we are listening and learning, and you are doing an amazing service to your craft and traditions with you voice and your teaching.
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I listened to this segment on NPR and appreciate the opportunities you provide for us to learn about the traditions and stories of sashiko.
I’ll go find the recording! Yay!
It was short but very powerful. “…transforming clothing into something more beautiful…” that explains a lot I feel
信念を持ち打ち込まれる刺し子素晴らしいです。人は何度でも言います。自分軸しっかり持ち自分の信じる道を進めば良いと思います。感動しました。ありがとうございます。
The simplicity of your statement “Mending is a great part of Sashiko,but Sashiko isn’t the word for Mending.” Is wonderful. It is elegant in a way that is clear and understandable to those of us raised in a different culture. Please use these words over and over they are the key to understanding. Thankyou. ❤️❤️
P.S. Maybe a Bumper Sticker. 😂😂😂
Oh! I will have to listen to this article!
That one statement,”mending is part of Sashiko but Sashiko isn’t the word for mending,” says so very much. I will always remember that and tell others. If you are becoming unwell then take a well deserved break. We will be here when you get back