I appreciate many reactions to the Story I had posted today (6/11). I need to clarify one thing. I am NOT “angry-at” and/or “disgusted-by” non-Japanese who use “Sashiko/Boro” for their money-making. In fact, I would like to talk to them about what/how they do for a better understanding of Sashiko/Boro when they respect the Japanese culture. My message is more like “Should I get more upset about the current situation?” when it comes to C/A. I wrote “I feel strange” but “the Strange” doesn’t mean Anger or Disgust (in my understanding of English).
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It is “Strange”. Not so negative, but not “Happy” either. In general, I “should” be happy that many people are enjoying Sashiko. I worked so hard to make Sashiko as a “trend” in my 20’s. Very Strange. I am human as well. I cannot describe this feeling but “Strange”. ☆
As a Japanese, I was trained to “kill” emotions. It was not recommended to express emotions in general public – regardless what kind of emotion it was. I am learning. I would not have written this much on Instagram if I had kept introducing Sashiko in Japan. In Japan, defining emotion was not so important. Here, understanding what I am feeling is quite important to share the Sashiko better. I appreciate your comments & DMs. I may not reply, but I read them all. Only one thing – when I receive a DM/Comment minimizing my feelings (like over-reacting), I will fight back (or give up to talk to). I learned it is the boundary I should draw in sharing my own culture. ☆
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ふと思いったって英語でストーリーを書いたのですが、想像よりも反響を頂きました。詳細は明日の配信で話しますー。また「面倒なことを」と思われちゃうかもですが（笑）
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2020-06-11 20:52:18
You express your thoughts wonderfully well. I love Sashiko. I learned it by myself because I love everything Japanese. I have used it on my old pillows to give it a new look. I understand your sentiments. I am an artist and I have a page dedicated to cooking food at home. My intention is to inspire others to enjoy this process and cook at homes but I always confront mixed emotions when people misunderstand it to be commercial. It ruins the spirit. But you have to do what you feel right about no matter what is being thought about. Please share your love for this culturally mindful skill along with your words. It’s a pleasure to read along with the pictures🙏
Thank you so much for articulating your thoughts so well. I have been searching for an authentic voice in regards to plagiarism of someones culture for a long time. Your calm and heartfelt words are beautiful and inform so carefully those of us who love the beauty of other cultures and hope to learn and obtain new skills without offense.
I think you understood the meaning of ‘strange’ well. As a person who isn’t a native English speaker myself I would describe it as you did! And describing emotions is strange and difficult. I’m from Germany and emotions are ok to express here (some more then others and some only in private) but I find describing thoughts and feelings strange and difficult too! And I read your story but don’t know how to answer… On one hand I think “please respect the culture behind that craft and keep it to the people who ‘own’ it originally” on the other hand I think it’s great that it’s shared globally now so people who really care about the origin will find their way to Japanese people who do this. (and the other ones wouldn’t care either way…)
Like many others, I admire so much of Japanese culture, and that only increased after a trip to Japan a few years ago. I remember reading about the concept of mottanai (? Spelling) and wished it was something that could become more widespread here. Sashiko has intrigued me for the last few years, and I wish I could take one of your classes. I enjoy your honest thoughts and opinions.
English is such an awkward language to learn and as I’ve noted before you are doing a fantastic job at expressing what you want to convey about Sashiko. Have you thought of investing in a thesaurus? This may help you choose different words with a similar meaning that maybe closer to what you are thinking in Japanese.
people often like to project their own feelings on words and create their own personal meanings of those words. you used strange correctly so it’s clear to me that the people who took it personally were speaking from their emotional side with disregard to rational reasoning. i grew up in a bilingual home, one of the languages being English. english is a VERY odd language. your use of language is great and i appreciate the care you take in being clear in your meaning. i hope you have a lovely night and a pleasant weekend.
I could understand your strange feeling, you must think what does this person truly know about sashiko? If only we can go into their minds to find out .
English is my first language, and I think “strange” is a clear way to describe an uncomfortable feeling that you can’t quite identify, maybe because it is a mixture of feelings. It’s nice that other people are interested enough to take it seriously enough a business…but also unsettling if it isn’t also their own cultural heritage, especially if you can’t tell if they really appreciate only the superficial appearance or also some of the meaning.
It must be difficult when people call their work Sashiko or Boro when they aren’t.
Bodies hold emotions … and also make sashiko … the two are very connected ❤
@lanastormallen
I am really appreciating the discussion here. As a non-Japanese creative who loves sashiko work I am very aware that I am creating a piece of work that is born from another culture and want to be sensitive to this and honour the roots of the craft. In doing so I hope I bring my appreciation and thanks to those including you who brought sashiko to many so that we too can appreciate it.
Here for you and your content. I have followed you since 2015 and I want to spread Your Sashiko. Love your work and your message.
I’ve fallen in love with sashiko and as a poc I want to honor the ineffable and unexplainable cultural foundation about the art but I am frustrated that there are so few sources for learning that are from Japanese people. I get concerned when the books are only by westerners. We need you to write a book!
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