Follow-up for the previous post. Please read that I am NOT saying “One must follow the rules when they call their stitching Sashiko.” For my insight about Naming and Cultural Appropriation in Sashiko, please read the other posts in past and articles on UpcycleStitches.com.
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First of all, I believe “No Rules in Sashiko.” What I am trying to share here is an attitude and open-mindness to learn something new. “Artistic” is a very powerful word. We can make a creation as a valuable result. (Yes, any creation is valuable in our own terms). However, I want us to be okay with who we “currently” are even without the word “Artistic”. By knowing, we can keep looking for an opportunity to learn more & try more, instead of “being (pretending) satisfied” with what we currently are capable of. It isn’t easy to be okay with what we currently can do. It is our nature to compare and look for better. To compensate, we use “reasoning” to justify our feelings. It is okay to be negative, jealous, and hateful. Just don’t give up yourself by using some useful words. The message here is quite simple. Share, Care, and Appreciate. No need to be positive, peaceful, and cheerful all the time. You are beautiful (no matter what), and therefore the result will be beautiful too (when you accept the “current” status). ☆
英語という言語は(あるいは英語を使う脳というのは)、どうしても「答えをはっきりさせたく」なるようで。「刺し子の基本はできない(しない)から、刺し子とは呼ばない。」っていうコメントがあったのですが、そりゃまた「自由な刺し子」に対する極論だなぁと思うのです。「基礎がなければ刺し子をするな」なんて言っているわけではないのは、日本語で読んで下さっている方ならわかるはず。英語もそういう風に書いているつもりなんですけどね。難しや。ぶっちゃけ、「基礎は何だ?」とすら思う程の「当たり前の文化」だったのが刺し子なわけで、一昔前は日本国民全女性が通った道な訳で、自由もへったくれもないんですが、ただ、ここ最近の刺し子ブームをみていると「言葉の一人歩き」は怖いなぁと思うのです。食文化で言葉の一人歩きの怖さを知っているので……(10年前、留学当時、真夏の暑い日に「緑茶」と書かれた飲み物を買い、一気飲みをしてそのまま口と鼻と目から逆流させたことがございまして。コーラより甘い緑茶……だったんです)。刺し子がどうなるか。楽しみな反面、ぶっちゃけ怖いんだろうな。
2019-06-18 15:37:15

Thank you for clarifying. Following on from your recent posts, I was so hesitant to even reference Sashiko in my posts in relation to my mending work. However, after reading your article, I feel much better about using the word sashiko since I’m very respectful of the culture behind it and eager to learn. Thank you for always offering opportunities for us to educate ourselves!
So gorgeous and lovely <3 🙂