Why do you call it “Sashiko” or “Boro”? This is a question I often ask myself, and to the general public after Spring 2019. I learned the word “Cultural Appropriation” over the sad discussion. I have stated my understanding of Cultural Appropriation in Sashiko on my website. Link available from our profile.
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When I use the word “Cultural Appropriation” in the discussion, I often receive the similar response saying “The culture is a subject to change (therefore the concern is invalid)”. Yes, I am aware of that. In fact, we are also the one who tried to change the form of Sashiko culture so the culture itself will be passed down. What I am worried about is the change in “Culture” by using the words such as “Creativity” and “Artistry”. Sashiko/Boro may be just a trend for your creative project. However, there are people behind those words. I am one of them. Sashiko is not a fancy word to assert oneself – for me, Sashiko is the identity – it is who I am.
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In Spring 2019, one called me that I am overreacting and I should be easy & should celebrate the fact many people are doing Sashiko. I am happy to share my own culture with others, but I will stand up and protect it when one says “we can change the culture by creativity”. ☆
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とても興味深いお話を伺いました。「刺し子をしていると日本を思い出す」。そう、本当にその通りだと思います。既に日本文化が染み込んでいらっしゃる方に「刺し子とはなんぞや」を語るのが興ざめな理由に、刺し子＆運針そのものに、日本的なものが詰まっているからです。だから、極論として、「日本人で針仕事してれば、それは刺し子で良いんじゃん？」とすら思っています。逆に英語でしゃかりきになっているのは、「日本を思い出す」という前提がないから。だからこそ、「日本的な考え方を知ってほしい」とひたすら文章にしています。
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日本的な刺し子とは、もしかしたら、日本を思い返すことができる針仕事なのかもしれません。だからこそ、今この瞬間日本にいる方には、なかなか意識しづらい事なんだと思います。だからズレも発生する。「わざわざ日本の刺し子って言わなくてもいいじゃん」となる。上手に（というか丁寧に）説明していく必要があるなと思っています。
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2020-05-09 11:27:17
❤️respect!
Hermoso trabajo 👏👏👏👏♥️♥️♥️
日本にいるので意識しづらいですね。刺し子をしといたわけではないですが針仕事の延長に近く日常に近いからかもです。日本の刺し子と#をつけるのはいいのかなぁと思っていましたが、日本人の刺し子かぁと浮かんでつけるようになりました
Cultural appropriation is real.
🤗😍💗💜❤️
I’m here for you. I hear you. Stay strong. YOU ARE RIGHT AND GOOD
I love what you do. Your point of view on this topic is very relevant, thank you so much for sharing ❤️
Thank you for sharing 🖤
❤️🙌 it is good you take care of whta comes from you and the culture you and your family are from.thanks for sharing your thoight on it
The most important culture is not exclusive but needs to be treated with respect 💗 love your works 💗👁️👁️
Thank you for your wisdom, and your dedication to keeping the spirit of the craft alive. People often don’t see the layers of ritual and mastery behind the traditional Japanese art forms – the lifetime of practice and dedication that the artists put into the work. It’s a part of the Japanese cultural context that is innately foreign to us Westerners. I know just enough to know what I do not know, but I wish I had the time and focus to learn.
to me sashiko and boro are ways of preserving garments and extend their lives. it was never a fade or done for style. in older times, materials like cotton were only reserved for the wealthy. But when those garments started to look “worn”, they were tossed out in favor of new items. these discarded garments /fabrics were then used by the lower class to patch their own garments out of necessity to stay warm.
luckily, indigo was one of the most accessible dyes to these lower class
and was used again out of necessity as indigo repells bugs and even helps fabric become fire resistant, just for starters.
these arts have a rich history but some only refer to it as decorative “patchwork”
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Its beautiful whatever you choose to call it
@yuriaibarra a little much but cool