Design & Geometric patterns are important aspects in Sashiko. Sashiko/Boro isn’t really a word for mending itself, the action of mending is important in Sashiko. For me, Sashiko isn’t “Zen”-lik muche, but I understand how Western people find the similarity. Because I do not offer a specific definition with my strong preference & insistence, some people take it “too easy” on understanding what Sashiko is by saying, “Oh Atsushi, Come on. You are overreacting”.
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One of the important views in Sashiko, yet we would never understand fully is the “View of life and death”. This personal value is hugely influenced by culture, family, environment, and “age” we live in. Back in age, when the Japanese in rural areas had to stitch for their survival, death was right next to them. For us who live today, “death” is something to avoid: to even think about it. You wouldn’t think about death everyday, and if we did, we would ask for professional help. The Ordinary where death is right next to you tends to force us to be “Serious” in a lot of things. In such extremes, the idea of “appreciation” can have a different sense & view, too.
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Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about the Starvation or Freezing Death for tomorrow. However, as the one who practices Sashiko, I will never think lightly about their views. I try to use my imagination saying “what if”, and read as many books as possible, mainly someone’s story for that age (Historical novel). When we do so, we would rethink about romanticizing Sashiko/Boro. There are 2 extreme groups of people I see recently: one who cares to learn like you here, and another who completely ignores stories for what they want to see. I want to be as respectful as possible to my own culture: and your support is very much appreciated.
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日本の小説にどっぷり浸かっております。日本から離れていた10年、こんなにも面白い小説が！っと隙間時間に食いつくように文字を追っています。刺し子？そうね、運針練習もしなきゃ…（笑）小説は「もし」の想像力を鍛えてくれます。刺し子に携わる身として、時に吉村昭氏の「破船」を読み返すようにしています。刺し子は関係ないけど、文字から日本人の本質が読み取れるからです。良い意味でも悪い意味でも。文字を追いながら刺し子できれば良いけど、その段階はまだ先っぽいです。
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2022-07-06 07:54:29
I practice stitching every day. And so enjoy your words. I try to pass on how rich we are to have a choice of needles and thread. Not to talk about the many fabrics that are everywhere now. I feel very privileged to be able to stitch every day. That life is not so harsh now. I totally agree with you. Many thanks for keeping up the respect of those who have gone before us. ❤️
By “the ordinary” which you use repeatedly do you perhaps mean ‘ in every day use ‘ or ‘in the day to day’. Trying to be sure I am understanding wholly what you are conveying.
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👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️😉🙌🏻
Within the west there’s is the saying of ‘Memento Mori” which is Latin for Remember Death. You can also find skull insignias on graves throughout history (which some people have taken to meaning a pirate was buried there) and you see it in several paintings as well. To be cognisant of death is to accept the fleeting aspects of life, the fragility of it. It’s supposed to influence your actions (in a positive way). I think that to deny death is to deny life. For something to live it is opened up to the elements, to damage, to use, which can be painful, but I think it’s more painful to deny an object or a person the motions and frictions of life.
As always a thought provoking post. Thanyou for triggering memories of family and childhood. ❤️
お船様。。