The Japanese are quite familiar with the concept of Animism. We believe that a “thing” has each spirit in it. So does the fabric. One of the significance of Sashiko/Boro is feeling the spirit, I believe. It is not only celebrating the beauty as Art. ☆
We all have to adjust the “new normal”. I am a big fan of “touches” and I always bring my collection to the in-person workshop/talks so the people can “feel” what I am talking about. Many told me they feel something “they cannot verbalize”. How about over the Internet…? I thought it was impossible to share – I may be wrong. Once I share enough stories, the “feeling” may be delivered over the photos & videos. Once I get more free time, I would like to walk through my collection with many stories. （The article about “Animism in Japan & Sashiko” can be found on @UpcycleStitches website – link available from our profile as well.) ☆
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不思議な話なのですが、刺し子を英語で紹介すればするほど、外国での生活が長くなればなるほど、日本が好きで好きでたまらなくなります。もっと勉強したくなるし、もっと知りたくなるんです。
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刺し子は数百年前、日本人の「日常」だったと思っています。この「日常」が何を表すかというと、「当たり前の中に存在した信仰（信念）」です。「もったいない」という言葉ひとつとっても、環境保護（リサイクル）の言葉として（英語圏では）使われることもあるのですが、もっと日常に即した、仏教の要素が沢山詰まった言葉だと思うのです。日本人にも周知されていない日本の日常。これを調べていくことはとても大切なことだなと。その線上にきっと刺し子もあると思うので。
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2020-05-19 09:00:55
So that is the word of this experience, I didn’t know that. I feel and see in my mind from many objects mainly other peoples belongings. If I try hard also photos of people. More reading and learning for me then this is really becoming something many favorite things are coming together.
When internet sharing is happening because in-person cannot, the intent of your offering is palpable. Your close-up photos convey each stitch in the same way that holding a piece close in hand to look at those same stitches would be. The feel of the fabric is missing, but the eyes can offer to fill in that tactile experience. You are bringing those pieces into the visual light. Thank you. 😊
I’m very excited that such an article exist. Thank you so much for sharing it. I couldn’t agree more and while I miss that ineffable sharing of energy I deeply appreciate people reaching out through the internet to share what we can. Your images and words are a gift.
It is so interesting to see the pattern previous comments have covered almost exactly my thoughts too. I think the teaching of “I hear, I see, I touch, I do (create/draw as applicable), I learn “ is going to be important regardless of what the future brings to us. Thank you for continuing your posts.
Running stitches…
もったいないという言葉を調べてみたけど読めば読むほど頭の中でまとめられずにいまーす🤣
Lovely in every way.🙏
本来の勿体ないって訳せなさそうだなぁと思ってしまいました
ありがとうございます。思う事がたくさんありました。
A few years ago I was in Japan for a 10 day indigo dyeing workshop and was fortunate to be able to spend some time in the Amuse boro museum in Asakusa.
I was beyond excited to find that we were able to touch most of the textiles there even though their presence visually was already so beautiful.
Being able to touch them affected me in a profound way as I thought about the countless generations of human hands and bodies that had lived their ordinary lives within these textiles.
Organic fibres and dyes are such that they return to the earth so completely, just as our own bodies eventually do. Both becoming nourishment for new life that grows once again from the earth beneath each of us.
This was a little more than five years ago now and, if I close my eyes and remember that day, I can still feel and smell those wonderful textiles the memory of which has embedded itself into my very being. Knowing that I too, am just an ordinary person travelling through this life as best I can.
Māori/Polynesian culture has the concept of Mana which I think captures what you are talking about. Also objects can acquire mana through their innate quality (derived from the skill of the maker) or through use and usefulness and the value it creates through its use by the user. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mana?wprov=sfti1
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