“A Cloth has its life, and there is a spirit in it. Therefore, it carries memories, and therefore it talks. They prayed into a cloth.” Japanese naturally believe in Animism, and the interpretation of cloth as “life (spirit)” is not that difficult to adapt. (The photo is my collection of “Boro” that Keiko and I put so much praying in).
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This concept is what I would like to protect in Sashiko. Some may think that I am hassling so much to protect Sashiko as Intellectual Property. No, it is the opposite. As I keep saying, my goal is to share the Sashiko. Since the cloth (Stitched fabric) carries the spirit, and since the word also contain the spirit, it is NOT okay for me to accept the freedom of interpretation without trying to learn the Japanese culture (not knowing is okay. Ignoring intentionally is what I would like to stop). ☆
Do you believe in this – that the cloth has its life? Konmari’s “Spark Joy” is somewhat related – it spark because it carries memory. Another excuse that I am one step closer to a hoarder. (My wife always wonder how Konmari & I are from the same culture… one is an expert in tidying up & one (almost) never throws away fabric… hahaha). ☆
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神社に参拝したり、仏像に手を合わせたり。文化が変われば、神に祈りを捧げたり、賛美歌を歌ったり。目に見えない「何か」は当たり前に受け入れられているので、刺し子も襤褸も同様に受け入れられれば良いなぁと思うのですよ。「刺し子は芸術だから何をしても良い」と恥ずかしげもなく書く前に、刺し子だったり襤褸だったりから感じる何かに気を留める時間を作ってもらえれば、きっと何かが伝わるんだろうなと思うのです。現代は急ぎすぎなのかもしれません。なーんて。生き急いでる（と言われる）僕が言うのも矛盾ですね。でも、八百万の神の精神はきっと、世界に必要なものだと思います。人様の気持ちを大切にすることが、普段よりも重要な今だからこそ、尚更。
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2020-05-31 09:52:02
I love your sharing of your passion for Sashiko 😀
That’s where I think what the western mind (as a cultural force) fails to understand that the cloth carries spirit. Indigenous American, as well as African would definitely understand. But they aren’t the ones selling Sashiko kits with hoops.
I don’t entirely understand animism and how it applies in today’s technological world where almost all products are pumped out by machines. Many industries, including fast fashion, seem heartless and cold. On the flip-side, I think a handmade item will always carry the spirit of its creator.
As for things sparking joy, what if they all are meaningful, and what if I might need them for a later project? I guess I’m keeping everything! 😂
Thanks for this post. I like the idea of mending and tending as meditative, or prayer. Wishing strength and continuity into something.
I think, as far as I can, and for me personally, yes, I understand and believe that cloth has spirit. My way of seeing the world aligns more with my ‘of the country’ pagan ancestors than the current favoured religion here.
I once ordered a piece of traditional Bangladeshi handwoven cloth direct from the weaver. His wooden loom was 80yrs old. It had survived floods and famine, he’d learnt his craft from his grandfather and together they had clothed generations of villagers, and even Ghandi. I felt amazed I could simply purchase a piece of textile with such heritage and life. When I unwrapped it I cried. Since then it’s wrapped myself and my baby, and will continue to collect memories, whispered prayers and love.
I love this post , I believe that cloth holds an impression , a Spirit , memory. I appreciate the reverence that you have for cloth and your culture.
The fiber breathes as it grows, the spinner breaths breath onto the fiber as it is spun and puts their energy into it as it passes through their hands, the weaver breathes their breath unto the yarns that becomes cloth so yes hand made cloth has this element! The Sashiko as the cloth is held also absorbs that person’s energy as the hand stitch it! This is why it is so calming to preform this art of spinning weaving and hand stitching cloth!
Every single thing in our multiverse has its own consciousness…. not only do you want to convey the spirit of cloth… it wants to convey its spirit to you…. 🙏
素晴らしい視点だと思います。母親がお直ししてくれた布団の縫い目を見て愛情を感じた時から同じことを思うようになりました。
I don’t think your practice is at all incompatible with Konmari, as I’m sure every bit of scrap you “hoard” is done so mindfully and with purpose. I think that’s the key here. I think Konmari is not so much about just purging: if every single item brings you joy and you’re not tucking it away somewhere in shame, you can have a house filled with things on display much like a museum. That’s my take away anyway…
appreciate you and all your teachings 👏🏼🙏🏼
Hello…I’ve been reading the threads where you explain your attachment to sashiko and how you want this practice of Japanese stitching to be understood by those who too, decide to use it in their own craft or yes, business. It’s possibly the same as what I would call a “ lived cloth/fabric”— bec people who make them have a relationship to them whether for rituals in a culture or because certain members of a society used them long ago ( so that’s history)… I understand it. When I see a handwoven cloth rich with stories but the one promoting it does not know its background, it’s painful to see. Thank you for patiently and humbly engaging with the many interested folks on here. 🌿
Where is “A Cloth has its life, and there is a spirit in it. Therefore, it carries memories, and therefore it talks. They prayed into a cloth.” from please. You have quoted it but not given where the quote is from or who wrote or said it.
When the cloth is stitched in a less refined way (such as boro which was used economically in the home), is it still considered Sashiko? Or is only the structured stitches considered Sashiko?