I have been very busy catching up with the regular work that I had skipped while

I have been very busy catching up with the regular work that I had skipped while I was in Japan. The more I work, the stronger I realize… not only do I like Sashiko, but I also “enjoy” Sashiko. Before 2011, Sashiko was “business” to me: “business” like a vehicle to get enough money to sustain the family business. After I lost everything once in 2013, Keiko and I restarted the “Sashiko” – and it was just “Sashiko” as practice. No purpose attached to the stitching itself. We stitched because we enjoyed it.
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Keiko is still that way. I work hard so that she can stay that way. Someone gotta do the “work” to keep it sustainable, especially in the market where people stitch for other purposes. I have seen & met many Sashiko artisans, who are struggling to make ends meet, yet so great in their stitching. They are “the” artisans, without the vehicle to make it sustainable. Their Sashiko is genuine. Here, no words are necessary. Once we see it, we understand it. Keiko’s Sashiko is so powerful and attractive because of this – that she enjoys stitching itself.
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I sometimes wish to be like them – nameless artisans who focus on stitching. Then, I realize the possibility of losing the actual stories about Sashiko. As much as I enjoy stitching, I cannot be just stitching… until the day I find someone to replace me, or until the world acknowledges the stories & support the artisans. I am here to “balance” it – so I will lose the value on my voice when I stop stitching, yet I sometimes just want to stitch… It is challenging. I will keep stitching & sharing stories… otherwise, the culture may be completely lost at some point.
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*For those waiting for the update, I am working on it! I appreciate your patience.
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恵子さんとゼロから再始動した刺し子（SashiCo）。ご縁を頂いて沢山のお仕事を頂けるようになりました。物販や教えることを通じて「刺し子で生計を立てる」ことも現実味を帯びてきました。ほんの5~6年前、恵子さんがカフェでバイトをしないと生活費が払えなかったのは今では良い思い出です。恵子さんが刺し子に集中できる環境を作ることは、息子としてできる親孝行の一つの形かなとも思うのです。ただ、今回の日本帰国で身に染みたことがあります。私、刺し子している時間が絶対的に足りてない。んでもって、「刺し子したい」という気持ちに蓋してたことにも気が付きました。
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商いを考えることは絶対に大事なのですが、もう少し素直になろうかなと（笑）やっぱり実物を見ると心が動きます。刺し子で嫉妬するなんて昔は考えられなかったのですが、これもまた変化の一つなんでしょうね。いやはや。今回の刺し子展示会やオフ会で拝見した作品は、言葉や物語以上の力があります。一度、飽きて嫌になるまで刺し子してみたいです。
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2023-05-08 01:09:18

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