An addendum for the previous post before people start twisting my words. I am NOT angry at the person who uses the Flat File Chisel to make holes for mending and call it Boro. I am just sad – extremely sad. The pain, a great pain as if someone grabs my heart.
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It is “us (and especially me)” who caused the pain – it is NOT a person who happened to interpret Sashiko/Boro differently. They is innocent of the word “Art”. If, IF I were angry at someone, it is toward myself for not doing enough. It is a frustration for my past (family) who kept our Sashiko in a secret box. It is an anguish within the “Japaneseness” I respect the most. It is a sadness toward many fellows who share a mission of introducing what Sashiko/Boro is in non-Japanese language. No one is wrong. No one should be harassed for this. But, my pain is real. Therefore, I am begging you to try to understand who you are purchasing from, which directly influences what you will support.
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We all contribute to the world we live in today. The Japanese once chose not to continue some forms of Sashiko. It was their choice and I respect them. Then some decided to revive it. It is also their choice. The series of choices form a “culture”. Now, because of the Internet, the culture can be easily transformed by popularity (money). This is my fight that I know I will not win. However, my pain is so real that I cannot just give up. So, please, please don’t give up on your ideal, don’t give up on my ideal, and please don’t forget what Sashiko/Boro is(was) for the Japanese.
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先程の投稿を歪めて読む人も出てくる頃合いなので追記です。僕は「怒っている」のではありません。悲しくて、胸が痛いんです。「棒ヤスリで布に穴をあけて襤褸だ！」って自慢する人は悪気があるわけじゃない。ただ襤褸を自由に解釈しただけです。だから、怒っているとしたら、やっぱり僕自身への怒りなんです。悲しみという観点から言うと「英語で刺し子や襤褸を紹介してきた人」も含めて、「なんでこうなっちゃったかなぁ」と。
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「ヤスリで穴を開けた襤褸」が「日本の襤褸だ！」とならないように声を上げ続ける。きっとね、大きな流れの中では「変える」ことはできません。でも、誰かが何かを叫んでいた事実は残せたら……なんて思うのですよ。声を上げない美学を持つ日本人の文化だからこそ、余計に誰かが叫ばないと（矛盾してるけど）、と思うのです。
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2020-08-08 21:33:41
I agree with everything you’ve said! 💗 When people damage fabric deliberately, to mend it to call it “Boro”, it really should be called “Cultural Appropriation” because, let’s be honest, that’s what it is….
ダメージ ジーンズやケミカルウォッシュジーンズの感覚でしょうか？ それはそれでアメリカ系の布に対する文化なのかと思います。 ダメージがかっこいいとか。 一時的な商業、一時的なファッションの流れに乗っただけ。大量生産、大量消費。儲かればいい。 ものを大切にする日本文化と反対のように思います。 ボロの事を知らないので、日本における背景文化やボロの出来方について教えていただけるとありがたいです。
I hear your message loud and clear and confirm as a non-Japanese person that your explanations have taught much about Sashiko and Japanese-ness.
I have to be clear that it is confusing to an ignorant person. Japanese denim brands selling machine sewn new garments and labelling them ‘sashiko’. At least I can know the difference now many thanks to you.
There is a Portuguese word you may identify with regarding how you feel about the loss of tradition and the sometimes careless modernisation/misinterpretation of culture – ‘sodade’.
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Where can I look to find more about what Sashiko/Boro truly is? I would like to know more…
Completely understand you ❤️
私は、前回のポストを拝見して「ぎょえー！なんてことを！！」と心の中で叫びましたが…。やすりなんてかけなくても使ってれば破けるよー😱😱😭😭と。狙い通りではないかもしれないけど、そういう自然の営みをいかに見せるかに、知恵や経験が問われるのではとないかと思ったんですよね。
I am full or respect and compassion for your mission! 🙏
You like being a victim.
Beautiful ❤️❤️
Love and respect ! Great and deep words
I think you are being too nice!
respect 💙
Beautiful textures ❤️