I guess I am angry at the “easiness” of those who think they know “Sashiko”. As I have been saying, I am quite open to the Cultural Appropriation in Sashiko. Anyone can call their stitching Sashiko when they try to respect the Japanese culture behind it. Here, keyword is “respect”. If the “respect” is merely the word without an action, then we are not on the same page.
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Sashiko may be just one of the hobbies they found. However, for someone Japanese like me, it is the life. I believe it is reasonable to be angry when someone handle it lightly, although some calm me down by saying “take it easy” or may judge me being “over-reacting”. ☆
Sashiko is a practice – not only the result. If they know about Sashiko, I want them to enlighten me. Their understanding (like from wikipedia?) can be a part of Sashiko, but not a whole – that’s why I am here to share the Sashiko pieces by pieces so I can encourage us to “practice” to understand the whole (which I haven’t reached) of Sashiko. “Easiness” and “Friendliness” is good. I try to be a friendly person to whom respect the Sashiko we practice. If their “respect” is merely the words, then I do not welcome them. Their “easiness“ will drag my messages to the other side of what I would like to share. ☆
By the way, this is similar to Zen. If someone says that they understand Zen, then they probably don’t (unless they are Zen Nun). It is riduruslous to hear they understand Zen by reading books or articles. The truth exists in the practice. Same in Sashiko. ☆
やっぱり怒っているんだなぁ……と。英語で刺し子を紹介すればするほど、怒りが層のように重なってきます。刺し子は日常に当たり前にあった針仕事です。気楽に簡単な気持ちで始めて欲しいし、そんなに難しく考えてほしくないのです。ただ一つ。「刺し子をせずに刺し子を語っては欲しくない」のです。変なこと言ってますかね？「本読んだし、刺し子をしている人の話を聞いたから、出版物で刺し子に触れる」というのは、浅はかすぎてアホかと思ってしまうのです。日本文化は、文字で理解するだけでなく習慣（実践）を通して理解するというものがあります。初詣然り、お盆のお墓参り然り。「私、禅理解した！」という、禅を実践しない人がいたら、馬鹿にしていいよね？本からの知識は大事です。本は人類の宝物です。ただ、同時に、本が全てだとは思わないで欲しいのです – 特に刺し子の様に、その出版物すら整っていないような文化の中で、実践を伴わない表面的な「理解」は、結果として文化を捻じ曲げる可能性があります。怒りの感情は好きじゃないですが、もし「僕からのお願い」を無視して表面的な理解で話が進むとするならば、やっぱり僕は怒っていいんだろうなと思うのです。
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2019-07-19 08:51:52
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This is gorgeous!
A small show of respect for a centuries old tradition is so easy and opens us to much deeper insights over time. Thanks for this💖
Thank you for sharing! Would love to learn more about Sashiko and its processes from you or any resources you recommend.
Sad that your experience is so heart wrenching. I took a class in this yesterday. Half the time was spent enlightening us of the history and culture of this Japanese experience . Rest assured, Sashiko is appreciated
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Bellísimo 👏💙💙💙💙
Thank you for your words and your posts. <3
Thank you for sharing your respect and your practice with those like me who are just learning of this art. I hope that more can learn to give proper respect and appreciation in return.
I absolutely love learning more and more about this beautiful practice. I am blown away by the intricacy, the mindfulness, the delicate stitches. I imagine it is very frustrating to have many “internet teachers” from around the world decade they understand it, and practice it, when they most likely do not. I would say that I appreciate it, and am inspired by it. I am looking forward to the day I have more time to dedicate to learning more about it, and practising it, as it looks so beautiful and wholesome. Until then, I love the beautiful pictures that you share, and the wonderful information. It’s so fascinating and beautiful. Thank you. Xxx
😍❤️✨
With this post you totally discouraged me. It sounds like only pro’s are allowed to do sashiko, all others are naive and don’t get it. So as I don’t get it, I’m out here and I will search a different hobby.
Stunning.
I am grateful that I found your account. I’ve learned so much from your posts. And it’s beautiful to care so deeply about sashiko and the garments you apply it to. My twin sister and I have two very worn out coats that belonged to our father, and I’ve been using what I’ve learned here to start repairing them, since we love our father so much. Thank you for your insight into your culture’s meaningful history, and for sharing it with us.
Can you recommend some books that would hep me learn the practice and the history please?