Some connect Sashiko to Sustainability. Yes, it is indeed linked. However, I don’t think Sashiko itself can offer the solution to a variety of issues we face today. Sashiko is too “primitive” for that matter. Before romanticizing the (foreign) culture, the proper understanding is very important.
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To be honest, Sashiko itself is not so sophisticated for offering the “innovation” to make the world better. What you may see Sashiko as a solution is one result of people reading what they want to read. However, at the same time, by us (Japanese) continuously sharing what Sashiko really is, I believe we can contribute to “the one” in future who will come up with the solution.
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At this point, all I can do is to support someone I care about. My mother (Keiko), my family in the US, and many Sashiko friends I have met throughout Sashiko Class & Gathering. The most primitive concept in Sashiko is to make your family/friends “alive”. In order to keep “it” sustainable, I would like to make people who I care about happy first. “Happiness” isn’t easy as we say, but I want to be the last one who would feel the pain from Cultural Appropriation in Sashiko – regardless if my family/friends may receive Sashiko as their path. Learn what it is first before romanticizing it. Thank you.
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昔ながらの日本文化と、今流行りの「持続可能な社会」って、結構類似性があります。「MOTTAINAI」が英語として認識されるようにもなっています。ただ、同時に懸念もあって、それは「Romanticize」という日本語に直訳できない現象です。ロマンチックと横文字にすると、なんかC-C-Bの歌みたいになっちゃうのですが、意味として説明すると「現実を置いてけぼりにして想像が膨らむ」ような状況をRomanticizeと言ったりします。今の刺し子が良い例。
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「刺し子は環境汚染の解決策だ」と思うのは自由ですが、その解釈そのものがすでに西洋的な二元論の発想です。解釈だけなら良いのですが、勝手に想像を膨らませておいて、「刺し子をしているのに環境を気にしないのは何事だ」と暴走する人が出てくるから困るんです。「刺し子＝ゴミを宝に変える手品」ではありません。刺し子は「単なる針仕事」です。ただ、その過程の中に日本的な何かがあるから魅力的だと思うのです。原型を知らないまま言葉と理念だけで暴走するのは本当に勘弁して欲しいなと思うのですよ。
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2021-05-01 12:49:58
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Gorgeous
I’m just really glad I’m able to learn from you. You say things that have been weighing heavy on my heart for a long time. Thank you sensei
Yes!!! Returning to “primitive” or re-indigenifying ourselves (returning back to our indigenous selves) IS a call for sustainable practices! But that also means instincts to appropriate someone else’s indigenousness must be recognized and stopped! Sustainable, heritage textiles is universal. And while it’s important to learn about and respect Sashiko and other similar (but still unique) crafts, if one appropriates it for the sake of “sustainability,” they must also expect to face consequences for that racism (distancing of Asian authority over Asianness). 🙌🙌🙌 Always love to see your thoughts @sashikostory!
For me, learning about stitch techniques shows me that there is a continuous thread that joins us together through time and cultures. Wherever we come from geographically we share a heritage of sewing that links us to the past. Please keep sharing your heritage; it belongs to us all.