In my childhood, I always wanted to be someone else. I didn’t want to be just a (boring) stitcher. I wanted to be someone important to help this world. Well, after all, I am a Sashiko artisan today. I stitch the Sashiko I thought was boring. My mother Keiko has been the same from the beginning as long as I remember – she has been a happy person in stitching.
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We would like to inspire you with our Sashiko – not only by how Sashiko looks but also how we have been with Sashiko. We stitch Sashiko, and Sashiko helps us to be who we are today. It is easy to say “Accept & Love who you are”. This is a true statement. However, it isn’t so easy to realize/practice it. Thousands of hours in stitching. Just simple stitching. It took almost forever to realize what I can do for this world. What I would like to share is not only “how to”, but also who we (as a human) can be in this world. Sashiko doesn’t create any innovation. Sashiko don’t make our society more convenient. I may be “a loser” from someone’s perspective. However, I hope we can leave something behind us with our Sashiko & stories. Techniques, Technology, Design, Finance, Intelligence… all of them are important. What we can offer to be part of this great society may not be something in high-demand, but probably necessary for us to remember. It is (old) wisdom & (forgotten) possibility of our hands.
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母親と話す中で思うのは、これまでの本当に摩訶不思議な人生のこと。僕は偉そうに刺し子を語っていますが、刺し子の技術そのものはまだまだ未熟です。見てきた職人さんの足元にも及ばない。幼少期から素直に、言われた通りに刺し子だけやってれば、今の時点でそれなりの職人になっていたんでしょうけれど、ひたすら刺し子から（現実から）逃げ続けた人生でした。でも、逃げ続けたおかげで、巡り巡った今、少しは深みが出たのかなと思います。逃げ続けたから、これだけ語れる。「手芸としての刺し子」で良いんです。「自由で楽しく」が主流で良い。ただ、「刺し子が人生（だった）」人がいることは、声として残したいのです。
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幼い頃から「誰かの力になれる人」に憧れてきました。そんな誰かの力になれる人は、相当能力が高くて頭の良い人で、壮絶な努力が必要だと思っていました。行き急いでいると揶揄される程、我武者羅でした。でも、ふと気がついたのは、その幼少期の求めていた「誰かの力になれる人」は、あるがままを認めてくれる人だったように思います。憧れと同時に、これから僕は、そんな人になりたいな、と。このアカウントの全ては、そこに帰結するように思います。僕と恵子さんが作り、そして伝える刺し子が、誰かの支えになれたら……なんて理想を描いています。
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2020-11-14 14:08:44
Thank you for your input – these are rare words today 🌿
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Thank you for sharing your stitching. You are a great source of inspiration.
In these times you might be someone very important! Wonderful that you care for the traditions and great that you teach others.
You are an inspiration to me! I love your work and especially the history, it’s very important to be able to understand other cultures and how to enjoy them without offending anyone. More so during these times we live in. Thank you for all you do, I’m always learning! I watch from Puerto Rico!
💞💞 💞 💞 Sentida reflexion un oficio que une hilo y corazón felicidad
Amo el sashico! Paciencia, arte, armonía y perfección! Gracias!❤️
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Love these posts
Preserving crafts is important work. In the UK we have lost many of our traditional craftsmen and now the techniques and skills that were used are dead history instead of a living thing. Making is important. Continuing to make as our ancestors did connects us with our roots and the past.
💙 @joannagaines #whoyouweremeanttobe 💙
True and honest words. Your work is heartwarming and powerfull for me because it is all about dedication in a personal way.
Beautiful thoughts. Thank you.
Beautiful, honest, and important
I’ve had a Sewing machine for a couple years and finally learned how to use it. I’ve been embroidering lately and haven’t been quite sure why I prefer hand stitching to the machine. I think I’m a hand stitcher at heart… I’m a happy person in hand stitching. Maybe I’ll sell my machine… thank you for spreading you craft. Please don’t take offense to mean comments. 💖