I say (& believe) there is no such a thing as “Right” and “Wrong” in Sashiko. It

I say (& believe) there is no such a thing as “Right” and “Wrong” in Sashiko. It can be interpreted as “No Rules” as well. However, “No Rules” doesn’t mean one can do whatever they want, especially in the case of “telling/teaching” others about the practice. Here, Sashiko technically has no rules, but it doesn’t mean “whatever” is fine to preserve it as cultural practice.
☆
“Using an embroidery hoop” seems to be one discussion of defining what Sashiko is. Some say it is NOT okay to use a hoop and call it Sashiko. Others say whatever is okay because Sashiko is just stitching. What do you think? Personally, I do not use a hoop, and I won’t call stitching using embroidery hoops as Sashiko. As you imagine, there are so many stories & reasons for that. Before they teach it as “whatever”, they have the responsibility to learn why we do not use a hoop. Saying “whatever” without learning isn’t really “No Rules” – it is just ignorance.
☆
The photo is the latest item we stitched – and it doesn’t take months to do so. If we were to use a hoop, I cannot estimate how long it may take (unless there is a 1 yard diameter hoop…). Speed isn’t everything in Sashiko, but appreciating “slowness” as an excuse not to learn is pretty shallow. There is a huge difference between “Don’t” and “Can’t”. If one says “whatever is fine” based on what they “cannot”, please be mindful of what you may learn from them. If one doubts why one doesn’t need a hoop, take my class. I don’t think I I know anyone who uses a hoop for Sashiko after my class.
☆
–
–
–
☆
「刺し子には正解も間違いもないんじゃないかなぁ」との思いを普段から発信はしているのですが、だからと言って「なんでもかんでもOK」という訳ではないと思っています。何かを誰かに教える際、「しない」と「できない」を区別できる人を選ばないと、学んでいることそのものの本質を歪めてしまうことすらあるのです。「刺繍枠を使って刺し子をする」ことは間違いだともダメだとも思いませんが、一般的に刺し子を長く楽しむ人が刺繍枠を使わないのには理由があります。英語圏で「なんでもいいんだから刺し子に刺繍枠を使って何が悪い？」というコメントを見る度に、「刺繍枠を使う」という選択なのか、はたまた「刺繍枠がないと刺し子ができない」という言い訳なのか。英語圏だからなんでもOKとはならないように丁寧に伝え続けたいのです。
☆

2022-09-01 19:30:59

Source