I was born in a Sashiko family in 1983. In 2008, I started facing Sashiko as “work/business”. Ever since, with many ups and downs, I have been thinking how we can “continue (make it sustainable)” the Sashiko. Recently, I developed the phrase – “I would like to pass down Sashiko”….
Tag: CulturalAppropriation
@SashikoStory
“How to care & respect” is a difficult topic. One saying “I care about your cult
“How to care & respect” is a difficult topic. One saying “I care about your culture” isn’t really enough. “Care & Respect” can be validated by action – not by just words. Words are, of course, important. However, if they support the people who appropriate the culture (directly/indirectly) because of…
@SashikoStory
We can find many kinds of descriptions about Sashiko in English. “Slow-stitching
We can find many kinds of descriptions about Sashiko in English. “Slow-stitching”, “Beauty in Imperfection”, “Meditative Stitching”… and you know better than I do. All of these are not “wrong”, but they are insufficient by themselves. Before defining what is “the sufficient Sashiko description”, it is critical to understand the…
@SashikoStory
When I write about the “language” difference, some read it superficially as if I
When I write about the “language” difference, some read it superficially as if I am excluding non-Japanese. They say, “So you are saying we need to be fluent in Japanese to enjoy Sashiko?”. No, I am NOT saying it at all. ☆ You do not need the Japanese language to…
@SashikoStory
When I say “Sashiko/Boro is NOT ◯◯” or mention about Cultural Appropriation, som
When I say “Sashiko/Boro is NOT ◯◯” or mention about Cultural Appropriation, some automatically start defending themselves. As you know, I am NOT excluding anyone. I just want them to “know” more. This may be an extreme analogy, but again, let’s use pizza. If one is enjoying “frozen pizza” and…
@SashikoStory
As a native Japanese, the biggest fear of Cultural Appropriation is NOT about so
As a native Japanese, the biggest fear of Cultural Appropriation is NOT about someone “stealing” it. It is the cultural “westernization” in its filtering – which potentially could “destroy” the beauty of original culture. That’s the reason I speak up in Sashiko. I respect the western culture to be very effective…
@SashikoStory
Cultural Appropriation is a very sensitive, and difficult topic to discuss. One
Cultural Appropriation is a very sensitive, and difficult topic to discuss. One says, “This is Cultural Appreciation” and other say “No, it is Cultural Appropriation”. Although I am still learning, there is one thing I can share on this – “The voice/pain is real”. Pain cannot be defined by majority…
@SashikoStory
Some criticize me for playing the victim (crying for attention). Umm. “I don’t k
Some criticize me for playing the victim (crying for attention). Umm. “I don’t know” is my honest reaction. I had always been “privileged” in my life. It is my first time to “speak up” as a minority. I need to learn what is the line between “speaking up” and “playing…
@SashikoStory
“Cultural Appropriation” explained the pain & sorrow I felt when I saw someone i
“Cultural Appropriation” explained the pain & sorrow I felt when I saw someone introduce Sashiko with their own filtered information & minimizing the stories. This “filtering” often (not always) is caused by the privileged people, and therefore, some people misunderstand my message that I am trying to exclude all the…
@SashikoStory
I occasionally wonder what “appreciation” means for others. For me, “appreciatio
I occasionally wonder what “appreciation” means for others. For me, “appreciation” comes with some action. Without action, the phrase “I appreciate it” is kind of a polite way to say “I don’t care”. One say, “I appreciate Japanese culture”. But they step into a Japanese house without taking shoes off…