I often say “Sashiko(Boro) is NOT ___”. For example, I say, Sashiko is NOT a wor

I often say “Sashiko(Boro) is NOT ___”. For example, I say, Sashiko is NOT a word for (visible) mending (although mending is an important part of Sashiko). When I say “Sashiko is NOT___”, some immediately demand answers and definitions saying, “then what is Sashiko?”. I understand their need in their cultural value to get the correct answers immediately. However, it can be quite risky to offer the answers/definition so quickly without proper explanation. My own definition shouldn’t be everyone’s definition (Unfortunately, that’s what is happening in Sashiko now). Well, I have been wondering how I can explain the importance of “thinking” and “imagining” before following someone’s answer. I wonder if it happens because of cultural differences. I just realize, it may be “how” Sashiko was introduced in the early stage – they missed something very significant. They introduced Sashiko as if there is “the answer” in this cultural practice.
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Here is an extreme example. Can you define “Happiness”? Can you answer the question, “What is a Happy Life”? Does money always make everyone happy? If someone defines “Your Happiness”, do you follow it with no doubt? Do you want someone to define your happiness?
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Sashiko is/was, for at least those who had to stitch for their ordinary, was categorized as “personal” like Happiness. Your definition of Happiness is your value (and should be respected) – if you say your happiness is “the answer”, then you may disrespect/suppress/deny someone’s happiness. Now, the reason I speak up is that the definition is made by someone with power – here with English Ability.
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英語圏で広まりつつある刺し子。未だに何故ここまで違和感（嫌悪感）を感じるのか手探りでいるのですが、ふと思ったことがあります。みなさん、「幸せ」ってなんですか？「幸せ」に答えってありますか？「幸せ」にも勿論定義はあるけれど、それはとても個人的なもので、「答え」にはならないと思うんです。でも、ある日突然、「幸せとはこういうものだ！幸せになる為に従いなさい！」という強い人がきて、大多数が「了解！」とばかりに、想像力も考えも無しに同じ方向に進み出したら、嫌だと思いませんか？極論ではあるのですが、僕が今戦っている理由は、ここにあるような気がします。「正しい刺し子」を勝手に定義する人と、それに考えなしに従う人。この「定義と従順」はよく有ることです。だから日本国内で起こることはそれほど心配していない。問題はそれが日本人の届かない英語圏で行われていること。
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みんなが「幸せはお金（で買える）」なんていう定義に従う社会や文化は嫌なのですよ。確かにお金で不幸せは回避できますが、私の今の幸せは、刺し子をしながら多くの刺し子好きの方とご縁を頂けていることなので。「刺し子」を定義することで、置いてけぼりになる人がでてしまったら嫌なんです。
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2022-09-29 22:51:28

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