Some may find Sashiko quite trivial (insignificant). An occasional comment here “It is just stitching. Anyone can do it. Stop OverReacting” comes from the value to consider Sashiko as “mere stitching” and “no more than” it. I understand how they reach that impression. I was one of those looking down on Sashiko, and I kept holding that disrespect for decades (therefore I came to the US to be/do “something significant”).
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It is true that the outcome of Sashiko is just stitching. The photo is a hand-stitched Sashiko Noragi Jacket with 9 Geometric Patterns. It is just stitching in the ordinary. Well. Because it is trivial & ordinary of Japanese (my identity), I find it so precious.
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“Sacrificing a life to Sashiko” may be an exaggeration, but there are many people who live(d) with Sashiko throughout their lives, including myself. I speak up because I do not want anyone to make light of them. It may look trivial, but never is unimportant.
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I believe I can preserve (revive) some Sustainability of Sashiko by sharing stories – such as better circulation for suppliers, practitioners, and those who use/enjoy Sashiko in their ordinary. It is definitely trivial in comparison to rocket science to take humans to the moon. However, it can be an “eye-opening” experience for many people with today’s sense of value. “Eye-Opening”.. isn’t not my word. That’s the reason (voice I receive from) that I still can keep sharing our Stories.
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ここで書く文章の暑苦しさに、「たかが刺し子じゃない」と思う人もいらっしゃるかもしれません。私自身、幼少期から「たかが刺し子に…」とずーっと思ってきたので、その気持ちは良くわかるのです。実際、実情はただの針仕事ですし。刺し子が人気になって紹介される際にも、「簡単で誰にでもできる！」というような謳い文句がほとんどです。事実、技術的には人を選ぶようなものではありません。些細なものなんです。でも、些細なもの（日常）だからこそ、とても大切にしたいと思うようになったのです。
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「刺し子に人生を懸ける」なんていう大袈裟さな意気込みではないにしろ、実際に人生を刺し子に捧げた人は数多く存在します。捧げた…というのも少し違うかな。長い人生の中の日常に刺し子が存在する（した）人はいるのです。些細でも、たかがでも、簡単でも良いのですが、誰かの人生を馬鹿にするような流れにはしたくないのです。
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馬鹿にするつもりはなくても、学ぶ努力をせずに「私は専門家だ」とその文化を他の立ち位置から乗っ取ることは、受け手からすると馬鹿にされているようにしか思えません。価値観は、「立ち位置」と「向いている方向」で変わってきます。だからこそ、他文化について人様に教える時には、相当の注意と覚悟と、豊かな想像力が必要になるんだろうと思っています。「たかが…」としか評価されないものが、誰かの勇気（励み）になることを、私は知っているので。
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2024-09-03 11:24:32
❤️everyday magic✨ simultaneously humble & beautiful.
Something similar happens in many other crafts. Is not exact the same. But behind many craft/artisan activities there’s people saying “is just this” like is not important. Maybe because some people think that they can do the same anytime, forgetting all the learning, supplies and story behind, or because they just can buy it cheaper somewhere else.
But, without someone who maintains knowledge, things cease to exist. Sometimes they are replaced with machines, but it will never be the same. And how nice to know how/why such an elaborate work made by hands was born. What problems did such art get to solve?…
Beautiful ❤️❤️
To make embroidery, to do Sashiko can look “easy”. But your work with the “easy” stitches becomes fantastic unique pieces of art. That requires a good eye for estetique, a long practice and deep knowledge. I appreciate to see the beautiful work you do.
Any stitching or other handwork is never ‘just’ stitching. To make something by hand takes time and patience. With alot of practice, the skill can look simple until a person tries to copy it then there is the realisation that it isn’t so simple after all. Your skills are amazing and I ❤️ seeing your work and that of other skilled needleworkers.
Beautiful work 😍
I’ve just started watching your course on domestika – thank you so very very much. I love the way you talk about and share your Sashiko experience
Tu sashiko, tu corazón ❤️ 😍🙌
This is probably a dumb question, but do you stitch the sashiko before crafting the jacket – or do you sew the jacket and then stitch the sashiko on?