Doubt what is normal. Don’t trust what we know.

Doubt what is normal. Don’t trust what we know.
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This is the phrase I always tell myself. My justice can be completely wrong in another culture. Until 2013, my justice was everything to me. I pushed through my “Correct” no matter what others say. Once I made myself “justified”, then it was okay to do “whatever”. My wife changed me, and I am very thankful for it.
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We often feel that “It is not in my dictionary”. However, we have to understand that there may be another dictionary, and some dictionaries may say something different especially in another language, in another culture. Therefore, I carefully choose words, and try to write in English because I respect the country where I am living now. ☆
The same concept goes to a fabric mask and Sashiko. We all want to have the correct answer. However, the truth often is not as simple as asking “Alexa” for the population of Japan. Many people ask me what is “Correct” in Sashiko. Yes, I do have my own “Correct” in Sashiko, and I can tell you that. However, it is the same as pushing my dictionary to others. So, I share the stories. I encourage people to do Sashiko as we do. One day, they will find their own “Correct” in Sashiko. I have seen so many students (now, my friends) who found their own Sashiko. Once you find your own Sashiko, then the Sashiko “as a Japanese culture” will be passed down regardless of our voice. Therefore, I say, first respect the origin, then improvise as you wish.
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上記英語で書いたものとは話がずれるのですが、僕はもう7年近く日本に帰っていません。日本にいた頃も基本的には田舎に引きこもっていたので、「日本文化」を肌で感じられる環境にいたのは12年も前の話です。僕が書く「日本文化」の多くは、本で得た知識と昔蓄えた「おばあちゃんの知恵袋」的なものなのです。日本文化が日本国内で失われつつあるのは本当に悲しいことで、日本の国外に出た人間だからこそできることもあるのかもしれないと活動をしています。日本って、本当、素晴らしいんです。その国に根付く文化も、やっぱり素晴らしい（変な所も沢山あるけれど）。「日本の刺し子とは何か」。堅苦しくなるものではなく、今ある英語圏での刺し子とは少し違う日本の刺し子を、広めていけたら良いなと思っています。
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2020-04-09 09:24:13

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