I received feedbacks to my post on Dec.26th phrasing “Sincere apology comes firs

I received feedbacks to my post on Dec.26th phrasing “Sincere apology comes first in many (all the) cultures”. Yes, it is very true. I am NOT claiming “sincerity” is the mindset of only Japanese culture. I am just sharing my insight of the difference between Japanese & American culture so it may be a hint for thme to understand the Japanaese culture. Without understanding the cultural aspect, it is extremely difficult to understand what Sashiko/Boro is(was).

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When I get a Driver’s licence in the U.S. my friend gave me very helpful advise. Can you guess what it was about? Was it about how to self-pump the gas (in Japan, back then, we didn’t have a self-gas-station)? No, he said, “Atsushi, no matter what happens, do not apologize until you know everything for sure.”  He always told me that I apologized too much. And, his advise was shocking because I would apologize before the police would come, even if my car was parked and not moving. 

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“I am sorry” in this case, in Japanese culture, would be “I am sorry (that you have to go through this)”. It doesn’t mean that I accept the fault. However, in American culture, “apology” implies it is the acceptance of faults. After many years, I understand how valid his advice was in learning the American culture. The words contain the culture, and I am a believer of ”When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. So, I do as Americans do now. However, in Sashiko, I want them to care about Japanese culture as they use the Japanes words.

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This bag is made from one piece of fabric – Furoshiki – with no sewing. By changing how we look at it, it has a different purpose. Humans can adapt, and learning can make us human. Please try to learn the Japanese culture in Sashiko.

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刺し子の風呂敷キット（柄が既に印刷されている三巾風呂敷サイズの布）を制作している時に、「今の時代に厚手の布の風呂敷なぁ」と少し不安が頭を過ぎったのですが、いざ作り出してみると、それなりに日常に落とし込めそうな感じで。バッグも簡単に作れるし、恵子さんもバッグを想定していた用で、今だと持ち手を作るようなキットもおまけで同封されます。

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考えてみれば、「そりゃそうだ」と。昔から使われてきた日本語で、風呂敷は現代も残るしっかりとした単語です。刺し子や襤褸って言葉は知らなくても風呂敷は知らない人はいないくらいに。それだけ使われ続けてきた文化なんです。刺し子をして、しっかり10年使ってみようと思っています。何より、この柄、刺し子が楽しい。

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Culture

2020-12-28 12:20:49

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