Big thanks to @pompommag for publishing my story. Great encouragement from @mamasteddybear to put out my voice and great help from @little_kotos_closet for the cultural context. The Magazine brought many people here, and I would like to make a comment on this. I am just one individual who decided to devote my life to Sashiko – I am NOT a leader for the topics & themes that current Western point out. I am more like the last person to work in the group to make sure that no one is left behind. I grew up with Sashiko, and stories around Sashiko. I have never considered myself as a “Master”. Outside of Japan, there are “Sashiko Masters” leading the trend of Sashiko/Boro. Their “Sashiko” isn’t wrong, but often missing a great part of Sashiko. At least, they aren’t sharing the whole picture of Sashiko, which means someone in the original culture may be left behind in this trend. I stand there. I am the Past in Sashiko. Therefore, I ask anyone to create the future of Sashiko to “learn” more.
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My Sashiko teaching would be somewhat “eye-opening”, or even “challenging”. That’s how significantly different the approach is. Please consider taking my In-Person Workshop/Online Class (In-person 7/25 in CA & Online Available as of now). If money is tight, please read as many stories here & videos on Youtube as possible. I am merely a Sashiko practitioner, but I can say Sashiko introduced in English is not sufficient. Please do NOT embrace Imperfection. Please superficially define Sashiko as Zen. Boro can carry negativities, and there is always a “Story” behind the word & practice. Please don’t worry too much, though. If you want to try, just enjoy it. If you teach, think about the responsibility & pain “English as a privileged language” can cause. I won’t be silent(ed) any more. Thank you for finding me & supporting what we do.
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言いたい放題お喋りして、編集さんにお任せした記事。ものの見事に「ぼかしなし」の文章になっております。これは英語が第二言語の僕にはできない芸当です。怖いもの。正直になるのはリスクもあるのです。とはいえ日本語では常日頃言いたい放題喋っているので、特に何が変わるわけでもないのですが、こうして出版物になると不思議な感じです。うん。でもね。リーダーじゃないんです。遠足引率の学年副主任の先生なんです。
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2022-07-13 10:28:06
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Thank you for your clarity, humbleness and magnificent information
I am so moved by the image of you standing at the back giving your time and energy to care for the stories being left behind. You are a breath of fresh air to me. Your words often touch me. I read your stories and find in them not just sashiko but I can apply them in many places. May you find the courage and strength you need to continue this path even in the difficult moments. May your faith be renewed again and again and again. Thank you.
I discovered you accidentally and now I WAIT for your posts 😍😍. Have been watching yoùr videos, going through your website, practicing my stitches and enjoying the whole process. It also helps me look at similar Indian stitching forms differently.