Unshin, Hitomezashi, Kasane, Kogin, Gushinui, Boro and may more… There are numbers of Japanese words that cannot be translated into other languages without proper explanation. The explanation often requires the understanding of not only the technique, but also the background of the word. Am I a master in those? No, not even close. However, I know what I teach, and I believe that is the start of making one “Sensei”. A teacher should have the core of what they want to teach. ☆
Sashiko is the Japanese “ordinary” that has continued (been continuing) for more than 400 years. For the pattern, we have a long list of choices. Teaching the pattern is important & I feel the need of me having the class for that, but that’s not the main of what I would like to teach. Sashiko is very easy to enjoy. However, Sashiko is very difficult to teach. That’s what I have learned in 4 years of offering the Sashiko workshops, and I will continue learning to be better at sharing the Sashiko we are proud of.
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「刺し子を楽しむのは簡単。でも、教えるのは難しい」。刺し子を瞬間的に楽しんでもらうだけの空間であれば、比較的簡単には作れるのだろうけれど、それを「教える」とすることには抵抗感があるので、日々勉強の毎日です。
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教えることが難しい理由に、「絶対的な正解がないこと」があげられます。つまりは、学ぶ側の主体性を尊重しつつ、学びたいと思ってもらうところから始める必要があると考えています。刺し子を教えることは誰にでもできます。だって簡単だから。でも、「教えること」と「楽しむこと」には大きな違いがあり、常に学び続ける”先生”になれたらいいなと思っています。まだまだ満足する先生への道は遠いけれど。
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この自粛ムードの間に、なんとしてでもオンライン版刺し子講座（日本語編）を完成させます。お待ちくださっている方、本当にごめんなさい。頑張ります。
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2020-03-10 17:52:20
I have been stitching hitomezashi a lot recently because I feel it is very fundamental and important to get the hang of. Especially for me, I stitch to mend clothes or for meditation so I like the long running Stitches. My question is on the above pattern what’s the line spacing? Second do you mark where the stitches are going or just have so much practice that the stitches are all consistent in size and evenly spaced? I hope to take an in person workshop with you soon. Thanks for sharing!
Lindo
Bello
Beautiful
👏👏👏
Wow. 😍
せんせい I have a question about Sashiko stitch patterns, I wonder if a certain type of stitch belongs more to particular clothing for example pants or some stitch pattern more for jacket ? Is this also a part of sashiko traditions? This is a question I have inside myself .
The photo is beautiful work. Through the years,I have observed there are many words native to its language that can never be fully appreciated in any other language. This is one of the reasons it is a treasure to be able to read a book in the original language of the writer. Sometimes it can be frustrating when there is an inability to explain something fully, but on the other hand, it is a treasure to know for oneself what the true meaning is. Art is full of many hidden treasures. Good luck in your endeavors, to share, and to teach!