Many people seem to find Sashiko from the “mending” perspective. “How to patch the hole with Sashiko Mending” is a popular phrase that I often see. Yes, mending is an important part of Sashiko. However, the True Nature of Sashiko is not mending – it is prolonging the life of the cloth by stitching. The Japanese practiced Sashiko to strengthen the fabric because they knew the fabric would be damaged over time. They also knew that they wouldn’t be able to get a new fabric to replace what they had (simply too expensive). Therefore, they added Sashiko “prior” to the mending. The mending represented poverty (people probably judged how poor the others were based on the numbers of mending). I know no Sashiko artisans who were proud of “mending” itself, although it would be necessary at some point in the practice of Sashiko.
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I like visible/invisible mending. I am a big follower of sustainability with saying “Repair, not Replace”. I am happy that many find Sashiko/Boro beautiful & interesting. I just want them to be mindful when they use a foreign word. There are wisdom, culture, stories, and people behind the words. What I am doing here is to protect Sashiko. I do not want to change the nature of Sashiko more than necessary. A change is important – but the change shouldn’t be done by ignorance. “Not knowing” is okay. They can learn. “Knowing it, but ignoring it” based on the convenience is the reason I decided to be a stone in the big trend. The essence of Sashiko is not mending. Boro is not the word for mending, neither. I have made many writing/videos available on the Internet. Please learn what Sashiko/Boro is for us.
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様々な刺し子があることを承知した上で、敢えて刺し子の本質を語るとすると、それは「布の補強と保温」だと思っています。刺し子を後世に残そうとする諸先輩方のご活躍で、刺し子は柄を楽しむものとなり、様々な変化をしてきました。でも、やっぱり、「布を強くする」ことは根底にあって、だからこそ「用即美」としての刺し子も楽しめるんだと思います。
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英語圏での刺し子の人気は、「刺し子っていう布の”補修（パッチ）”の技術があるよ！日本由来でクールだよ！」というのが一つの流れです。文化の変容はあって然るべきなのですが、「刺し子での補修はあくまで第二義だった」という事は、誰かが言い続けるべきだと思うんです。「補修＝貧乏＝恥」という考え方もきっとあったはずで、刺し子の本質は「未来の補修率を下げる（少しでも貧乏だと見せないこと）」だったとすら思うんです。補修も刺し子の大切な一部です。ただ、布に棒ヤスリで傷を作り、そこに布をパッチするのを刺し子とするのは、本質ではないなと。ある文化の当たり前を、違う言語で伝えるのは本当に大変です。
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2021-01-04 09:25:03
Showww 💕
This explanation is very clear and concise. I appreciate understanding where craft comes from and why…..thank you for your kindness in explaining. When I use these techniques this will be in by my thoughts!
Thank you so much for continuing to educate!
I have just started sashiko…. I love the idea of repairs and decoration…
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Thank you. It’s so interesting to learn more about Sashiko and Boro.
I’ve talked before about the role of mending in culture in connection with industrialization. Non-industrial cultures, particularly those where self-sufficiency was reflected in their textile production, use every scrap of fabric. If you grow/raise the fiber, spin and weave the threads, etc you don’t allow anything to be wasted. The materials are natural, (wool, cotton, linen, hemp, etc) as are the dyes used on them. The shapes of the garments are usually constructed from rectangles and, maybe, some triangles for gussets and gore’s. The maker has taken into account the way that it will be worn/used and will find ways to re-enforce the fabric. Garments will be mended and handed down. Industrialization of textiles/garments results in synthetic fabric or blends, garment shapes that cut away fabric creating waste, throw-away fashion, extremely short garment life… If you take the time to look closely at garments in museums, me
ヤスリかけて刺し子って言う人も凄いですね😭本当大変ですよね🙏
「繕う」という概念が無いと、刺し子の説明は難しいかもしれませんね💦
「勿体ない」とか「始末する」などの日本人的考えから説明しないとダメなのでしようか。
昔の染色の雑誌に面白い記事がありました。
山形地方に『花雑巾』という物があり、
それは旧上杉藩士の原方衆の妻子が、落ち延びた先で士族という身分への執着と身構えを刺し子技術に託し、古布を綴刺したという物です。
とても素晴らしい刺し子紋様で刺された雑巾を玄関に足拭きとして置き、彼女たちの身分の保持と心意気を表現したのものであると書かれていました💕
本題とはズレましたが『繕う』だけでは終わらないのが『刺し子』ですね😍
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Thank you for sharing this information – I’d love to learn as much as possible, and to be respectful of the history and traditions. Steph
I love your passion for your language ❤
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Espectacular!!!!!👏👏👏