I learn that having a wide tolerance can be harmful sometimes, so here is a strong statement. Boro is not a term for patchworking the colorful swatches for their artistry. One may say, “Boro-inspired” is a good way to show respect. Well… please learn the culture behind the word before superficially inspired by its look. A similar thing goes to the popular Japanese word Wabi-Sabi – it is Not about “beauty in imperfection” – and using flashy colors in patchworking freely is not even close to the concept of Wabi-Sabi and Boro.
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I am merely a Sashiko artisan – not a Boro expert. However, as a Sashiko stitcher, I respect the Japanese people who existed behind the Boro. The big trend of “Look at my Boro (inspired) work – with flashy fabric (even without any Japanese fabric)” can be unpleasant to me – as if my soul is soiled.
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I am NOT asking anyone to stop enjoying what they do. It is their freedom. My own mother sometimes uses colorful fabric on her Boro-to-be project. What I am asking them is a “mindfulness” when using the foreign word. If one is inspired by Boro – then I want them to be inspired by both how they look & stories behind the Boro.
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襤褸とBOROは何が違うのか。「襤褸はカラフルな芸術的なパッチワークとは違う」と思っているのですが、なぜ日本の襤褸作家さんには見られない、目が痛くなるようなカラフルなパッチワークがBOROとなるのか。それは言語の音だと思います。言い方変えると言霊。
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「ぼろ」と聞いて、普通の人はいいイメージを持ちません。どれだけ価値があると知っても、言霊そのものに「恥」やら「葛藤」が含まれます。それがBOROには無いから、どうも「恥知らず」に見えてしまうんです。良い悪いの話じゃなくて、もっと知って欲しいなぁという話。日本語の音には魂が宿ります。その魂からくる美しさこそが侘び寂びの持つ一つの魅力だと思うのですよ。なんとか上手に伝えなきゃなぁ。
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2020-07-07 09:21:00
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Thank you for sharing the culture that comes with these traditions! It’s easy to see something and try to emulate it, but understanding where the art/tradition comes from is so important.
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I understand what you are saying, and I don’t disagree either. I will offer another perspective, just to help facilitate mutual understanding. I can see how much of the “western attempt at Boro-inspired patchworking” can be insulting to someone who understands the history, and heritage, behind what Boro truly is. But many of these people aren’t even aware there is a rich cultural history behind it. I might even go so far as to say some do not even know that the English slang word “Boro” that we use comes from Japan. It is almost like, the word has been adopted by western culture to mean “I stitched a patch on something”. Their superficial understanding is in no way meant to be insulting, it is all they know. This is one reason I am such a fan of you, not for the work you do (although obviously your work is 😍), but for the time you take to educate so many people on the deep, rich, beautifully intricate Japanese Culture 🙇♂️🙏
言霊って言っていただくと、そうか言葉の深さはここにあってだからこそ表現がいわゆる表面上の訳では、伝え切れないんですかねって思えますね。祖国の言葉の魅力って追求すればするほど深まりますね。また勉強になりました。
So true
Beginning of this year I wanted to make Boro but more learning and understanding I prefer to look at Boro and think of the lives behind the Boro.I think that I can enjoy Boro more this way and be respectful.
You’re making a lot of negative posts lately. The world needs happy right now.❤️
I agree with you. You know China also had something like boro before but it disappeared because people become rich they think this thing was not beautiful. However, Japan keep boro and make this become a jewel of culture . Thus, I am very admiring to Japanese spirit. In addition, I think boro and sashiko are beautiful.
thank you – educational for me as I am very new to this
Wow
You should block people from your account who are being rude to you and your account. They’re not worth your worry or time. Keep posting! If they didn’t want to read it, they could have ignored it. You’re not being rude stating what’s in your heart about your culture and work. It is frustrating when people take from other cultures and cheapen it without regarding its history. 💙💙💙
What is confusing sometimes is that there is an english word to best describe the object/technique/feeling! Calling a fad a fad needs no apologies, especially when that fad is harmful, whether harm or disrespect was intended or not. Boundaries can be crossed but need to be acknowledged first. So please keep strongly pointing boundaries 🙏
@sashi.co Please don’t take weird negative comments to heart… what has a perfectly intelligent and informed comment on your post regarding aspects of cultural appropriation and misinformation got to do with ‘a need for happiness in the world right now’…? Doesn’t even make sense. Then dumb, stupid, and unfunny insults on their part. Don’t waste a second of hurt or sadness on empty nonsensical commentary like that. 🙂
Thank you. Thank you for working to spread education and the deeper meaning behind the practice. People can be mindful and inspired and it’s so important to understand the depth behind any inspiration.