The Japanese believe(d) that a “Spirit” exists within every matter – from the symbolic element (such as the Sun) to miscellaneous things such as a stone on the street. So is fabric and textile.
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The fabric, thread, needle, and thimble. They do not speak up loudly because they aren’t “alive” (It’s a big relief that they cannot talk otherwise… it will be chaotic in my work area). However, we believe(d) that they had spirits, and we could listen to their voice when we care for that.
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Fabric talks. Thread and needle communicate with each other. A thimble sometimes complaints. It may sound lunatic, but that’s how the Japanese enjoyed Sashiko, I believe. It may sound too spiritual/philosophical to understand, but I started seeing non-Japanese friends, who learned from me, started feeling what I was telling them (of course, with a lot of doubts, but they do not deny it completely). It is perfectly fine to enjoy Sashiko focusing on the results – with following the dots printed already on the fabric. However, I hope many can also experience the beauty of “continuous dialogue with the fabrics”. The “Unshin” I share enables a stitcher to do so – and that’s pretty much the core I teach in my Sashiko Workshop.
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The first thing I ask to complete the workshop is – “Please stop judging yourself”.
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「布は語る」「針目は布と針に聞いたら、一番良いの教えてくれるよ」「布を通して過去の日本人とも会話する」。よくよく考えると、まぁ不思議な事を常日頃、当たり前のように発信しているものです。とはいえ、八百万の神の信仰があった日本においては、まだ頭ごなしの否定はなく話を聞いて下さっていると思うのです。実際、布が声を出して話しだしたら大変だろうし（笑）でも、布は語ります。僕らが耳を傾ければ、必ず何かを伝えてくれます。
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最近ふと気がついたのは、これを英語でも素直に発信できていることです。唯一神が常識の西洋の信仰では、なかなか受け入れられないとは思うのですが、僕の生徒さんを中心に普通に会話が成り立ってしまっています。運針すると、「布が語る」というのも、文化信仰を超えて理解できるようになるのでしょうか。本当に不思議。でもめちゃくちゃ嬉しかったりします。
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2020-08-02 10:16:34
Hermoso mensaje 🧡🧡🧡
そうなんですねー。伝わりつらいとかなと思っていたけれど。
🤗布は、ほんとに、おしゃべり。、毎日、布と、話して、刺し子してます。今は、いったんぜんぶに、柄、をいれているので、楽しい話しは、聞こえて来ないな。😰😨😓
after admiring your work for the past few years, i am inspired to embark on my first sashiko. my grandmother was japanese, and working with textiles have always made me feel closer to my heritage. do you have any tips for a beginner? i am relatively adept with hand stitching
Oh, I love the sentiment… Thank you so much for sharing this and all your thoughts.
Animism? I was familiar with the animism in the spirituality of first nations in America. I wasn’t aware of animism in Japan. Did animism precede bouddhism in Japan? What is the name of this spirituality?
And also, i was aware of the “spirits” of trees, animals, nature… Now, i can also consider the “spirit” of objets transformed by mankind ( ex: fabric, needles, thimbles, ….). Thanks to you 😊
Beautiful concept🙏
This is my favorite thing about this whole experience!
緊張と弛緩のバランス👍😄❤️
100% agree to this. sometimes they kinda “ask” me some specific patterns they wish me to stitch. Some other time it’s just kind of flowing, as if my hand is driven by the needle. The result ? is incredible. People say it has its “soul”. Indonesian culture too has the same believe with Batik making and hand weaving fabrics. These are the sacred process, many things can happen during the “silence”. And it’s a very good form of Energy chanelling too. So,. whichever way is more comfortable, i think we and the fabric / materials shall make a good team by understanding each other. 😊
Ohhhhhhhhh🥰
どう刺繍するか迷ったとき なんだか合わないなと思ったとき 布と糸と針に聞いてみると回答が得られる 私はまだなかなか読み取ることができないけど時間かけると答えが返ってきます
❤️
I would love to read your book..when it’s published😊👍👏