You may say “Don’t worry”. I wish I wouldn’t have to worry. However, periodically, I receive quite angry feedback to what I write. Most of the complaints can be summarized into 1 phrase. “How could you disturb/limit our creativity”. In 2020, they often use the Covid-19 as a reason that I shouldn’t be honest. They say “We have to be nice/positive to each other”. Yes, we have to care for each other more than ever today. However, are they saying that their “creativity” comes first before someone’s pain? ☆
Yes, Creativity is precious. Yes, traditional is supposed to be “re-defined”. However, if they focus on creativity, why do they have to use the Japanese word? Do they know, in Japanese, “tradition” has 2 meaning? I am welcoming everyone to the Sashiko we practice. I am encouraging everyone to call their stitching Sashiko (if they want to). What I am asking is just a respect for Japanese culture. I really don’t think I am disturbing anyone’s creativity – in fact, opposite. Please read what I write. Please understand what I am trying to do. There is no such a thing as “Right and Wrong” in Sashiko, but it doesn’t mean “whatever is good”. Please doubt what you already know. There may be something that has not been translated to your language.
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英語で刺し子を紹介していると、Creativity（芸術的な創造力）という言葉を目にします。僕の投稿を読んで、ある人は創造力を高めるヒントへの感謝を表わし、ある人は僕の言葉が創造力を阻害していると憤り。全く同じ文章なのですが、言葉とは受け取り手次第で全く違うものになってしまうのだろうと思います。それも覚悟の上での表現なんですけどね。
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ただ思うのは、創造力をそれほど大切にするのであれば、想像力も大切にしてほしいと思うのです。「芸術だから何でもいい」というのは、間違っていないですが、異国の文化を語るのであれば、想像力が足りてないと思うんですよね。想像力がない創造力、僕はあまり好きではありません（というか、そんなものは存在しないとも思ってるけどね）。
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2020-11-23 10:46:55
どちらも大事。自分がどうなのかわかりませんがー。
Gracias😊💕👏desde🇦🇷
I love what you write and how you write…that you receive diverse feedback is a real credit to you… we are not part of this universe to “ be nice” because someone demands it or to be “positive” because someone demands it …who is anyone to tell another sovereign being what they can or can’t say or what they should or shouldn’t do….? no ones creativity comes before or even after anyone else’s creativity… creativity is a sublime thing in itself …it exists wether you make something of it or not….that sashi spreads his joy in such a way that it triggers negative and positive comments is a testimony to his alchemy… we are living in very polarised times and that sashi keeps on speaking his truth is a truly wonderful thing and I love him for it.❤️🙏😘🙏
I think a large group of people don’t even understand that translation comes with hordes of problems where the meaning of a word in one language only covers part of the meaning of the word it translates, or requires several words or a whole paragraph or more to translate into the other language. Take the Dutch word ‘knoop’ for example, which means both button and knot. Someone who knows only English would never expect this and could run into misunderstandings- mostly innocent ones in this example, but the same occurs in all translations with all different kinds of contexts and the problems raised can be huge. It might be easier if everyone learned at least one foreign language, they would perhaps be more familiar with this concept. Good on you for persevering in trying to get the nuances across. It can broaden the mind of those who will take the attention to listen.
Bellísimo
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I had never heard of Sashiko until I found your posts. I love learning from you and I find you to be very open and non-judgmental about how people want to be creative. You always say there is no right or wrong when you explain why a certain technique is right for you. I’m sorry you have to deal with these angry people!
You keep on keeping on. Until someone walks in your shoes with your experiences, living and culture they have only opinions. Communication is language, feeling, tone and context which does not work via text. Learning something different is not alway comfortable. People will learn only if they want to. Don’t worry, your real followers know.
I understand completely . Don’t worry and keep sharing your amazing insights from your culture and your craftsmanship. 👏👏
You were my inspiration to try sashiko for the first time, and because of your emphasis on trying to understand (at least a bit) the history & culture behind it instead of rushing into things, my experience was much better than it could have been. I’m more often a “do now, research later” sort of person, but I learned a lot from watching & listening to you. Please keep doing it, and don’t get discouraged or distracted from your goal!
🐝x
Thank you for sharing. I am learning a lot from you.
keep going, you are really an inspiring person ! 🙏 not many people will appreciate your honesty and your courage to speak, but it’s okay., your voice is echoing anyway. regrets from Indonesia.
Beautiful👏🏻