Another episode of my continuous challenge: “What is Boro, anyway?”. I will have a Thursday Youtube Live Streaming today (1/20) at 9 pm EST. Bring your own stitching project, and join via the comment section. Boro in English is interestingly transformed into something else. The culture changes, but the change should be done mindfully – not by someone who takes it for their profit in their privilege. The words aren’t someone’s marketing tools.
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One of MANY surprises I had in the US is that many American people think that Sushi is a healthy choice. Yes, in comparison to fried chicken, Sushi is probably healthier even if it is topped with deep fried items. However, personally, I have never met any Japanese who “choose” Sushi as a healthy option for their dietly. In fact, some consider Sushi as a “non-healthy” choice because of the salt amount from soy sauce and rice (too much carbs). Well… it is a completely different food culture in the US because they also “soak” Sushi into soy sauce. I love Sushi in the US, don’t get me wrong. However, it has become something completely different.
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This is how we only look at what we want to. In other words, the power of marketing. If one chooses the word “Sashiko” or “Boro” to market their items/services innocently, it is unfortunate for everyone on the stage: so therefore I share. Sometimes, innocence won’t justify what they do. If one intentionally “changes” the expectation the word carries, then it isn’t fair activity: especially in a privileged language like English. If they know that the Japanese wouldn’t speak up, and then re-writing the culture, it is… umm… give me the word to explain this feeling. Disgusting?
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So, Boro is more than what is introduced in English now. Please learn from someone who knows what they don’t know: instead of someone who offers the “instant answers”.
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明日のこれくらいの時間、金曜刺し子配信をします。今週もできるので有り難い限り。襤褸についてまた語ってみようと思います。「また（笑）？」と思われるかもしれませんが、刺し子と襤褸は切り離すことができず、襤褸が全く違うものになってしまうと、刺し子もなかなかに伝えていくのが大変でして。刺し子をしながら襤褸について思いを語る、そんな配信にできればと思っています。配信はYoutubeで。日本時間の夜10時半頃開始予定です！
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2022-01-20 09:26:05
What is the link for your Livestream?
Chinese and Mexican and Japanese restaurants in the US cater to the palate of Americans. Americans seem to love fried, heavy sauces, high salt, spicy and fatty foods. They still call the heavy-sticky sauced foods Chinese food here. Probably many of these restaurants would turn a Chinese stomach. So Boro and Sashiko are not the only terms used by people trying to give reference to what they are selling. I agree with you that saying something IS Boro or IS Sashiko is very different than just using it as a hashtag to attract people interested in those things, and very different than saying “I was inspired by Sashiko work I have seen to create this piece.” There is a lack of sensitivity but please understand that in our melting pot here and in our current “me first” and “I’m entitled to do as I please” society here in America, there is less civility and sensitivity. Many are trying! Many are not. Politely explaining works for those open to improving their interactions with others. It doesn’t work for people who don’t care about anyone other than themselves and their family. But many are listening, so keep doing your part to illuminate the differences and what is proper and respectful.
Thanks for your words. I love words and have the privilege of English being my mother tongue. The word disgusting is a good one. To me it has the sense of a bad taste and that you would like to spit it out. Another good word might be “revolting”. It has roots in “revolution” and the idea that something has changed or turned, possibly by violence. The online etymology dictionary etymonline is a really good source for the roots of English words if you ever want to explore them.
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