“Cultural Appropriation (C/A)” is a new word for me. I am still learning. The series from @little_kotos_closet has been a great source to educate myself. One phrase caught my eyes, “But my Japanese friend said it’s okay”. I often get similar comments.
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I “believe” they say it’s okay. I used to tell non-Japanese friends that “it was okay”. I only started realizing the pain from C/A after immigrating to the US. Without living outside of Japan, understanding C/A was very difficult – because C/A for Japanese culture is NOT happening in Japan in the Japanese.
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“Would it be okay to wear Kimono for Halloween?”. Many Japanese would reply to you “Yes, it is okay” because they do not see the (possible) pain. We appreciate the attention since we see them as “(cultural) visitors”. I cannot speak for Kimono since my knowledge is very limited, but it is important to imagine that there may be people feeling pain by C/A. Unfortunately, the Japanese who live in Japan often don’t see the pain.
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Similar thing happens to me. I respect most of the free interpretations in Sashiko, but some often argue with me saying “My Japanese friend told me ◯◯”. Well, can they communicate in both languages? Do they share the experience of living in both countries? Do they have a good understanding of Sashiko? If so, I am very happy to talk to them directly. “A Japanese speaker who lives outside of Japan with Sashiko experience” may be a remedy to my pain.
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I am NOT saying everyone has to read Japanese in order to enjoy Sashiko. I am here to share – NOT to exclude. What I am saying here is there are reasons for me writing here every day in English. When I look at Sashiko as a money-making business, and you as a visitor to the Japanese culture, my answer will be “It is okay. Do whatever you want” – to sell. However, over the Internet, I learn that the culture may be filled with something completely different by being “nice”. Therefore, I share the pain. Therefore I want you to know. Therefore, I show my Sashiko without any editing.
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少々長くなりました。また配信でご説明します（笑）
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2020-11-01 05:48:03
大変恐縮なのですが、この投稿を英語の原文でお読み頂き、且つ日本語で何かしらご指摘頂ける方は、是非御意見をお聞かせ下さいませ。非日本語圏からの英語での指摘には辟易しておりますが、日本語での、英語圏での現状を鑑みたご指摘であれば、真摯に勉強させて頂きたいと思っております。
Thank you for sharing the complexity of the issue.
Hermoso trabajo 👏👏👏Te felicitó por defender tu cultura ♥️♥️💙💜💚💚💛🧡🧡
@abidiq.gubidiq ♥️
Thank you sharing, I find your images inspiring and I hope one day to learn Sashiko, but just for my family.
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Emily Ito of little-kotos-closet is not a nice person. Very arrogant. She blocked me simply becos I do not agree that it is CA for westerners to use the word kimono. She is too rude and insecure to discuss CA issues with a person who disagrees with her. I have great respect for you Atsushi becos you are open to hearing a wide range of opinions and not cancelling anybody who thinks differently. You have a kind, inclusive and mature attitude rather than Itos arrogant presumption that she is right and any others who disagree must be dismissed.
Yes! 🙌🏼
Love the combing of the old had work.