I have been thinking about the difference between Cultural Appropriation and Appreciation (C/A). Thanks to many comments here, I am learning more. Via this account, I learned that “People read only what they want to read”. Reading a comment “People will learn only if they want to” resonates with my learning and elevated my awareness. I say it is “Care” that draws the line between Appropriation & Appreciation. The “Care” comes from “imagination of what if (I were a person in the culture)”.
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It is not about how much they know about Sashiko already. The beautiful result of Sashiko is not the priority in C/A. It is “Imagination” to care about the people who are part of the culture. One’s saying, “I appreciate your culture, but I will only learn what I want to learn” can be a form of appropriation – not appreciation. It lacks the imagination of “what if”.
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To put it in the extreme, I think, a Japanese can hurt other Japanese with Cultural Appropriation when they do not care with imagination. I assume the people in the same culture share the similar premise… but I guess Culture is not defined by the nation they live in – it is by the people. It may sound like a contradictory statement if you are a long-time follower here (because I barely ask for the respect to Japanese people). I need paragraphs to explain why it sounds contradicting, so please wait for an update.
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以前も書いたのですが、このアカウントの英語の文章を自動翻訳で読んで頂いている方は、一緒に配信も聞いて頂けると本当に助かります。英→日の自動翻訳って、まだまだ精度が低くて（それでも以前と比べたら凄い進歩ですが）、お伝えしたいことが真逆になる可能性があります。僕の想いは配信で語っていることで、言語に関わらず、そこはブレないように気をつけています。
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自動翻訳を通して誤解されるのは本当に寂しいので再度ご案内差し上げました。
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2020-11-24 10:01:00
Qué crees que deberíamos hacer…
Good conversation on appropriation vs appreciation!! I think caring and the degree and depth of sincerity are key aspects. Keep going, please.
Hermoso trabajo bordado 💙💙💙
I agree with everything all your feelings involving Sashiko and cultural appropriation/appreciation. I was looking for additional reading material on amazon these past days. It occurred to me I had never done a search for a book on Sashiko. So I looked. To my surprise there was a bigger selection than when I search for books on denim. I was surprised. Happy at first. When I began looking at the selections, I realized that they were all really just “tutorial” books on how to stitch Sashiko. Then you came to my mind as I realized none offer any history of Sashiko. Which is what I would be looking for. When I discovered you I started following your page because of that exact reason and I appreciate everything you share. Hopefully you may be inspired to write a book about Sashiko in that manner, the way Yoshi Yakushiji made the books on the history of vintage jeans and vintage denim jackets.
One of my favorite books of fashion and Japanese culture in respect to one another is “Ametora – How Japan saved American style.” It covers the 1920’s to almost present day, but also briefly references the Tokugawa era (1603-1868) and the Meiji era that followed. In reference to the regulation of patterns and materials such as silk between farmers, merchants, samurai and royalty. There is also a brief part on “koseifuku” the repurposing of kimono fabric in the 1950’s. The book discusses also post war times of WW2 and the Korean war and the control of imports during this time by the US and how the people of Japan had to “repurpose” garments. I was surprised the mentioned Sashiko only once with no detail. I assume it’s role was greater than the respect of attention it was given. Perhaps the author believed it would require too much detail to discuss that he would have to go too far off the subject of the book. Recently, in fashion, there are many people accusing between different brands the “appropriation” of Sashiko and also the patch work (repurposing) style that the Japanese gave birth to during a time when imports were not permitted in Japan and people repurposed monpe farming pants, kimono fabric and discarded parachute nylon. I am not against the style being used, but the appropriation, the claim to rights of something that is not theirs and also not acknowledging the people who created it, the history, why they did, the culture, the whole story and reasons behind it. When I see your Sashiko I see all of this present in your work. I feel your sentiments in your words of Sashiko. I understand that is the most important part. It is kind of like Okinawa karate and all other karate. The pureness. The “why” behind what you do that gives purpose.
Love this post
Hi. I just wanted to say I love what you do and what you say. Thank you.
Wonderful
❤️😊