Follow-up Post about “Shame” concept . The photo is “Boro from ground”. Visit Upcyclestitches.com for the actual article regarding the photo.
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Please understand that I am NOT swaggering around with saying “You do not understand shame (and Boro & Sashiko) because you are not Japanese.” I do not mean that at all. As I receive as the comment, shame exist everywhere. ☆
My point is simple. I just wanted to share that there are stories, at some point in Japan, that they felt “shame” on the culture we admire now. I love & respect the Boro-inspired pieces. We produce “Showing the patches items with Sashiko” too. We are with you for the love of showing-purpose visible mending. I just feel it is my responsibility (as a Japanese who were born in such a unique environment) to share what I heard & learned.
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Some said that “the view of Boro from the perspective of shame” is something new. It is natural because of the nature of “shame”. Let me give you the extreme example. Let’s say, if a stranger visit your house asking to show your long-used underwear with saying it is so beautiful & artistic, would you share the piece? In my 20’s, to educate myself, I tried to visit some very elderly ladies asking for tips or advice for Sashiko. Some of them even refused the fact they did Sashiko & owned Boro because it reminded them poverty with shame.
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The most of Sashiko we see (or I know, at least) now is the “revived” version of Sashiko by many Sashiko heros in 80’s. I respect my family and admire Ms. Eiko Yoshida for establishing the Sashiko we practice. In other words, “the Sashiko I practice” once lost its form. We cannot find, therefore, much documentation left to understand full-frame of Sashiko. We (Japanese) once chose to “not to inherite” Sashiko to the next generation by their action. It is my intention to share so we can now choose to keep this culture in the next generation, simply it is heartwarming and beautiful.
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I will do a Youtube Live Streaming talking about this topic. It is endless to express 😀
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最近日本語が雑ですみません。全部配信でお話します。あとコメントでも追記しています。
2019-03-31 20:30:14
最近日本語が雑ですみません。全部配信でお話します。今まで「面倒なことになる」のが怖くて書かなかった事を、「返事しなくてもいいや」と覚悟を決めて書き出したら、やっぱり止まらなくなりました（笑）フォロワーさんのコメントも嬉しいものが多いですしね。有り難い限り。とても勉強になります。
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#刺し子 #吉田英子
配信で話しきれますか❓あ、だいたい話しているのかな。
What a nice insight and explanation, and so brave of you! As based on my small experience Japanese people do tend to be shy about facts that in their thinking were shameful and made them “lose their face”. But you don’t need to be – you are the great nation and great people! And I’m happy to learn about sashiko and boro resently as one more representation of your precious craft! ❤️👍🏻
I truly appreciate the stories you share and the background and framework they give this craft. Thank you!