There are many kinds of Sashiko, and the Sashiko we share is only one branch of its big tree. Have you seen a textile like woven (not hand-stitched), but (often) marchant say “Sashiko”? In Japan, there is a traditional industry for “Woven Sashiko (刺し子織り）”. I sincerely respect its tradition & many stories about how it was developed.
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There are businesses selling “Sashiko Woven Textile” as Sashiko – which there is nothing wrong when sellers educate the difference between hand-stitching Sashiko & woven Sashiko. I believe a merchant has a responsibility to learn, especially when they use the foreign words. Or is it too much to hope in this instant society? ☆
Photo left is woven Sashiko, right is my hand stitched Sashiko. ☆
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☆ 「刺し子」と一言にいっても、様々な形があります。幾何学模様を全体にひたすら運針する刺し子、糸をくぐらせる花ふきん、布の隙間を縫うように模様を作るこぎん刺し・菱刺し、全て刺し子です。近年、刺し子の柄を作る「刺し子ミシン」も登場しましたし、また手刺しの刺し子をより多くの人の手にと、刺し子を模して織った綿織物、「刺し子織り」という素晴らしい工芸もあります。お味噌汁と同様、違いがあって良い（しかるべき）だし、その違いを楽しめるようになりたい……と常日頃思っています。だからこそ、刺し子において、「絶対的な正解はない」のです。
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ただ、「違いを知る（知ろうとする）」ことはとても大切です。英語圏にて、「刺し子織り」の素晴らしい文化背景を知らないまま、「（手刺しの）刺子のテキスタイル」として宣伝していたブランドに対して、私のフォロワーさんが、「それは刺し子なの？」と質問して下さるという事例がありました。厳密に言えば、「刺し子」です。でも、その言葉を使う際に、手刺しの刺し子と刺し子織りの違いを紹介する程度には勉強して欲しい……と思うのは、この現代社会では望みすぎなのでしょうか。
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2020-06-23 10:28:48
I agree. Merchants should know what they are selling and be open about it rather than misleading customers. I’m learning, thank you, that #Sashiko is much more complex and rich than at first glance 🙏
そうであって欲しいと思います
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刺し子と刺し子織の違いは日本でも知らない方は結構いそうな気がします。でも、刺し子に興味があるならその違いは分かって欲しいなぁ、、🤔
I did notice this while researching sashiko. I was wondering if there are different terms for hand stitched sashiko and woven sashiko?
So woven sashiko describes a fabric with these patterns woven into? But originally sashiko was only handstitched and used to repair/mend textiles for daily use, right? But yes, I think too, that merchants, sellers and people using these terms should know what they mean and where their originate from. But these people are people too so they can make mistakes too.
Interesting. I’ve never heard of or seen woven Sashiko.
I’ve only seen woven sashiko on Kendogi. Is that what the picture is of? The children kendoka also have a kendogi with the asanaho pattern. If it is a kendogi – please be assured that those of us outside Japan are doing our best to maintain tradition and meaning.