When I started this account, somebody I respect once advised me, “It is too late (to change the trend).” The more I share about the Sashiko, the stronger I feel the advice. It is indeed too late to “change” the trend. The leading information about Sashiko & Boro in English (which is not wrong, but insufficient) makes the audience believe what they read is “Right”. The short & efficient articles provide the “answer & definition”, while I cannot offer “them” because there is no such a thing as the answer. It is natural for people to go to the easy answer. “How to” is what the market is demanding. Therefore, my voice sometimes is considered as one “opinion”. In this big trend of using the Japanese words for mending & upcycling, it is too late to speak up the truth “to change”. People will not change their actions until they really want to. Sashiko became a mere design or technique, and Boro became colorful patchwork using fabric waste.
☆
It is painful to see it is too late. However, it doesn’t mean that I can give up. Thanks to the Internet, I can “archive” my(our) voice. Everyday, almost 100 people find this account and follow me. 20~40 % of the people leave. It means 60% of the people stay here and care for what I say.
☆
The movement of Mending & Upcycling is beautiful. I am a big follower of that. The pain comes from the “wording” it. If one likes Sashiko, I want them to know what Sashiko is. We live in a series of choices, yet “Cultural Appropriation” occurs outside of choices for those in the culture. It is a pain in the chest, and a struggle in the vortex. I hope more people will “choose” to listen to the voice of Japanese people instead of the “answers” by non-Japanese. I will not give up. I cannot give up.
☆
–
–
–
☆
世界には日本語を話さない、でも記憶の中に日本の文化を持っていらっしゃる方が沢山います。日系と呼ばれる方達。日本から世界に飛び出した僕たちの大先輩方の血を受け継ぐ方々です。こうして英語で刺し子を紹介する意義の一つに、その方々とのご縁を頂くというものがあるような気がしています。先日、日系3世の方から「祖母が”ぼろ”という言葉を使っていて、決して良い意味ではないという記憶がある。でも、語源は今の流行のBOROと一緒なんですね」とお言葉を頂いた。記憶と今を繋ぐ架け橋。ふと、「文化」ってそういうもんじゃないかと思ったり。
☆
2021-02-11 09:57:16
❤️
The people who want to learn, will do so. People who want to discover the history and story of sahiko will search until they discover people like you. Your writing has taught me a lot and each time i read your words i learn something new.
I am so thankful to have found your account. I have been sewing since I was 8 years old (just turned 61) and I am gloriously happy to learn about sashiko. The meaning and history. Your voice is not lost on me, nor is it too late for me. I share your words with others as well. Please know, I hear you. Thank you for what you do.
You are trying to make me feel something essential about Sashiko! Something engraved in the spirit of the Japanese people. You are trying to share the essence. Go on trying I want to learn what you are saying. Make me feel this essence! Don’t give up! ❤️
Stay strong in knowing that many of us admire and appreciate you.
Fascinating words……
I have really enjoyed your posts, they have definitely expanded my meager understanding of Sashiko and Boro, and also increased my love for them.
Please don’t give up. I was first interested for the aesthetic aspect, since I’m a Japanese descendent myself, such things always appeal to me. But, after I discovered your YouTube channel and realized that was so much more of it, I was really interested in getting to know all the history behind. Thanks for your kindness in sharing your knowledge with us. I’m thinking about buying a book and wished it would be yours…
Muchas gracias por su información,admiro su trabajo .Saludos desde 🇨🇱 Chile.
I am thankful for your voice, and persistence. It has added to my life, my mind.
Bro I totally respect and support your stance. Cultural appropriation happens to my people too, and so I follow you for information about this art form and to learn so your korero (what you say) is also a part of my learning. Mauri ora from NZ
Please don’t give up. It’s never too late to correct problems, including those of cultural appropriation. Please keep speaking up! It is the only way we can end experiences that are painful to many of us, and stand up against the normalizing of dismissive racism. Thank you so much for your continued hard work 🙏💙
I read ypu daily.I feel i can sense what ypu try to exolain and sahre.i feel thankful for that. I get one question when reading today. .Can only japanese talk the japanese voice? ( english isnt my mother language the same.so i hope i got the right word to send my message)
あつしさんの精神にはいつも支えられるものがあります。私は日本人でも日本の伝統そのものをしっかり学んだというよりは、生活の中で覚えてきた人間なので、自分の立場でc/aの話を再発するのに自信がなくなります。どこまでうまく伝えられるか、グレーな部分やニュアンスをうまく説明できず、誤解される程triggerにもなり（特にIG！)、その度説明しようとして挫折してました。だからこれ見て、諦めない事の大切さを再確認しました。
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I’m listening.