This is a periodic post asking you a favor. I have a favor to help us making Sas

This is a periodic post asking you a favor. I have a favor to help us making Sashiko Sustainable. Please know (be mindful) who you are purchasing/learning from. Anyone can sell anything today with no (or little) knowledge of the products. More frightening, anyone can teach anything. Your choices will directly support what kind of Sashiko we will have in the future. Please do not get me wrong. I am not asking you to learn/purchase from specific teachers/shops. What I am asking is to try around with mindful understanding of what you are doing, and find your “best fit”. You have your own capacity & there are good teachers & shops. At the same time, some may be like “Migratory Birds” – who only teach/sell Sashiko while the trend continues. Continuous practice is necessary for the Sashiko’s sustainability. I appreciate those who have been choosing & supporting me. Thank you.

☆

Hand-Crafting in Sustainable Form has been a challenging topic for many artisans. The same in Sashiko. I believe it is “almost” impossible to make ends meet by just being a Sashiko artisan. Some have to work hard to achieve the “best price” to make living. Others may offer a “good low price” because they do it as a side-job. I am NOT saying one is better than another. I am saying that we (creators) can do nothing but ask for a favor on your choice. It is good to have cheaper items. If it’s free, even better. However, please understand that artisans need to make a living. There are people behind the word Sashiko.

☆

I am starting what I can do to make Sashiko Sustainable again. Please make a mindful choice to support today’s and future Sashiko. Thank you.

☆

–

–

–

☆

時々、英語圏で「刺し子を無料で教えるよー」という宣伝を見かけます。とても寂しい気持ちになるのです。積み重ねてきたものは、簡単に無料で教えられる程薄っぺらいものなのかな……と。刺し子の基本だったり運針は簡単なので、お金を頂くのに躊躇するのもわかります。僕も躊躇した一人だし。ただ、長年刺し子とは関わっていない”渡り鳥”みたいな人達が「無料」を当たり前にすると、その季節（流行）が終わった後には、「無料が当たり前なんじゃないの？」という生態系の崩壊に繋がります。それは、「完成品の刺し子」も一緒。相場なんてあってないようなものなので、ふきん一枚でも数百円から5桁円に近いものまで。どういう形にしろ、生活の糧が必要な作り手も存在する（した）ことは、伝えていかなければならないんだと思います。寂しいですが、「刺し子をするだけで十分食べていける」のはもう不可能かと。でも、だからといって諦めたくもないんですよね。

☆

2020-11-09 09:44:25

Source