(Before & After)
This is how much I (Atsushi) changed over 9 years or so. There are reasons we are on the surface of Internet sharing the Sashiko we practice just recently: Before 2014, we tried to protect Sashiko by “hiding the secrets” from the public. I was in charge of several operations to keep the company running, right under my father’s (not good) management. I didn’t have time to investigate if I “can” like Sashiko. I viewed Sashiko as “numbers” back then. The only principal I cared was to be loyal to the customers who supported us.
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I may be a maverick in Sashiko. For the Japanese, an argument is the least preference. The discussion we had regarding “Why Do You Call it Sashiko?” wouldn’t be a case if I didn’t study in the USA (to speak up). The Japanese would just remain in silence. We don’t argue, but it means we draw the strong boundaries to “outsider”. Plus, Sashiko (& Boro as the result) reflected the Japanese concept of shame – to hide the poverty from the public eye. So, I feel, presenting Sashiko’s philosophy with this big mouth would be something not many Japanese have done before. It is simply not in their comfort zone (neither mine, lol)
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I share the Sashiko we practice so that we can contribute in making the “caring” community somewhere and in next generation at some point. I wasn’t smiling back in 2010. Now, I smile when I see the people who shares the passion with us in various ways – it is because Sashiko is no longer “numbers” for me. It is about who we are. ☆
愚痴でガラスのハートを曝した所で、もうひとつ危ない写真を（笑）2010年頃と昨年の写真比較です。二枚目の写真は今の僕が刺し子について語る時。一枚目の写真はカッコつけてる訳じゃないんです。「斜に構えている」というか、「なんで俺が刺し子を？」と、刺し子を数字で見ていた時代の写真です。ウェブ用の写真を撮ってた時だと思うのですが、もう少し表情を崩さないと（笑）ただ、今思い出すのは、大槌刺し子と出会うまで、刺し子関連で笑うことはなかったんじゃないかなと。刺し子（ビジネス）に夢を抱くことはできなかったし、同時に未来を見据えることもできなかった時でした。
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ぶっちゃけ今、笑顔でいられるのは数字を見ていないからです。もっと端的に言うと、人様の（従業員の）生活を背負っている訳ではないから。その笑顔の余裕の中で見つけた、「刺し子の楽しさ」って、もう宝物でしかないわけです。恵子さんはずーっとそれを感じてた。でも完璧主義な僕は、どうしても数字と楽しさが両立できなかった。ここに今いるのは奇跡なような感じすらするのです。
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2019-06-26 16:36:16
Well said.👍
@sashi.co you are so great for turning the spotlight on what sashiko means to you and what it is too the Japanese culture.I think you are truly great for spreading what sashiko is and gifting it to others the way you do . Your work is truly wonderful and I look forward too all your post.
You look so much more relaxed and happier in the “after ” photo. ☺
Thank you for sharing and giving us understanding of Japanese culture. It is so important to be respectful.
It looks as if you have grown into happiness. Please continue writing – it’s given me so much to think about! Thank you.
Your care brought sashiko up to its rightful place in the world ❤
Preciosos trabajos
Thank you for ‘speaking up’ and sharing with us the beauty in the practice of Sashiko 💗
Thank you for sharing 😀
I enjoy your posts so much. Your knowledge and respect of your Japanese culture is inspiring.
You look very happy now! 😀👍 Thank you for this insight ♥️
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Same glasses!
Thank you for your hard work and teaching moments ! ♡
I am glad you found your smile.. you are a pioneer and you are a very feeling person…. even japanese people will evolve in their behaviour I am sure…. there is a big change going on all over this world…. many will start to follow their heart and brake with traditions that were not serving them anymore…. it is good to let go and embrace the new, taking the good from the past and make it our own in the present… you are brave and wonderful and your work is too <3