Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your insights. I learned a lot. A quick summary of what I learn here.
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(1) When I started Instagram, I didn’t expect much return. Now, I feel Sashiko is so valued in a way we practice. About 10 years ago, I thought discontinuing Sashiko. I couldn’t find the meaning of us devoting our life into it. I am glad that we didn’t stop our journey there.
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(2) This journey, sharing Sashiko, is more challenging than I thought. On FB, I had a reply saying; “Your efforts (wishes) are honorable but unrealistic. Millions of crafters don’t have a desire to learn more than the technique, so this is likely where you have personality issue. Best to try to educate, but understanding human nature (is necessary)… it is more rare to find someone interested in the history in addition to the techniques…(continue on FB)”. It came down to the personality issue. Lol. I appreciate this reply telling me another perspective. But one thing I really would like to share – which connect to the core of this fuss.
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I (Atsushi) sincerely believe the Human (Nature) is MORE than the reply above. When we care each other, when we focus on sympathy (share) rather than opinion (winning), we can remember who we (Human being) really are. I may be just an idiot. However, limiting what Human Nature is, for me, somewhat degrading who we are (& who we can be). If the human being are truly like the reply above, then I have indeed the personality issue. Above said, I believe there is no reason I cannot “expect” more for the human being, not particularly someone, “us” as human. I do not want to use the word “unrealistic” as an excuse to give up defining who we are. I came back to Sashiko after so many detours, so I will keep my hopes & wishes high. I learned, today, that I can continue it because of all the insights you shared here.
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This is the end of the fuss I made. I will continue this journey as it was before.
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沢山のコメントを頂けて幸せです。いやはや。また配信で語りますね。いい勉強になりました。
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2019-05-15 16:35:02
Thank you for sharing your questions and thoughts.
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Your recent posts have made interesting reading on this topics. But I think like me most foreigners find Sashiko in images on Pinterest and such and fancy trying the patterns out and adding their personal twist on it. I was inspired to start embroidery because of Sashiko and then mending because Sashiko pattern construction adds strength as well as beauty. I hope I haven’t stitched anything that has upset Japanese and their culture, I have Japanese followers who like what I do, though
Thank you so much. Your teaching inspired me a lot. I will say its easy to grasp the technique to get things done, but it takes a humble mind to slow down to understand and appreciate the spirit behind, which will bring the crafters to another level of Sashiko. Pse continue to share. You hv inspired more people than you know. Many thanks.
I agree, and I’m very glad you will continue as before. I always look forward to reading your thoughts and seeing your work. 😊
Thank you so much. I m grateful there are people like you
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Dear Atsushi, first of all may I say I enjoy the way you communicate, which is nearly poetic to me. It may be the gentle and respectful way the Japanese language translates, or your particular way of communicating. I cannot say, maybe you can tell me? But it is a skill (or style?) we could use more of in the US! Also, I may lack an understanding of the sashiko journey for you, I’m inpired by your thoughtfulness and expression of it. Sometimes like finding a thread and tracing it back to where it came from. Lastly, I enjoy the visual beauty of sashiko! But to know the richness of it’s history gives even more meaning. Thank you for your efforts to share your heart and to teach us. 💕
I found sashiko via visible mending and first thru embroidery. As I thought to myself. I bet people can use embroidery to repair clothing. Then I found visible mending. Then I found that of course the Japanese did it first and better. So I found Sashiko. The method and why behind Sashiko is so beautiful and I love learning about it. I appreciate your willingness to share more information than I may have access to on my own. Your endeavors are not lost.
Please, please, please Atsushi….. Just continue beeing the beautiful person that you are and never, ever stop caring about your fellow humans and share and teach about sympathy and empathy!!!! In my humble opinion you make a difference in living as you teach and I really want to learn the history and stories behind every handicraft around! Handicraft are in our genes in the same way as providing food for survival – whether it be mending/constructing clothes and garments to survive the elements – or to connect us to what the earth produce. So keep it up and keep spreading the light 💗
Personally I love to learn all about the culture and mentality, it brings me a lot of insight about Japan. As someone who is passionate about Japan’s history and philosophy, your insights are really important and very much welcome. I’m not learning sashiko just to learn the technique. I want to know all about the mindset behind it. You are a beautiful person, Atsushi, keep up the wonderful work! Your fan from Paris, France 🇨🇵🇯🇵
I’m really grateful for your insights, although I don’t see a contradiction in just mediating the technique only or opening up a whole culture. For me, learning the technique is one way of access to the culture. It doesn’t matter where the original interest comes from. If you are appealed by it you automatically want to learn more. So, just keep on doing what you do! It’s so inspiring! 💚
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If they don’t like how you teach, they can find a new teacher. Keep up the great work 💯