I occasionally wonder what “appreciation” means for others. For me, “appreciation” comes with some action. Without action, the phrase “I appreciate it” is kind of a polite way to say “I don’t care”. One say, “I appreciate Japanese culture”. But they step into a Japanese house without taking shoes off with saying “it is freedom of choice”. The similar case goes to “Inspired”. One say, “Boro inspired me”, but they put so bright color to fabric… I wonder what they are inspired by. Are they using the word for the commercial or “self-assertion” purpose? It is perfectly fine to do so, but then covering their greed with superficial niceness is inappropriate. Regardless of what they say, without proper action, they are same as those saying “I don’t care about Sashiko, but I use the word Sashiko because it brings more people (which I define as Cultural Appropriation, so please do not do it). Your action is the remedy for C/A.
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If you can, please, tell your friends what you learn. Stop purchasing from someone who is just taking advantage of the words/culture. If possible, please speak up with me. Everyone has a choice to be a bystander and not be involved. However, then, do not cover yourself up by saying “I appreciate it”. Sashiko is more than a mending. Boro isn’t the technique. The Japanese didn’t embrace the imperfection (in Sashiko). Sashiko isn’t developed as “slow-stitching”. There are many messages you can find on this account. Please, please help me to re-adjust the words. Groups of privileged people re-wrote Sashiko – I am now trying to reverse it, and I learned from my older friends, that I may be the last chance to do so in Sashiko. All of my messages are available for free. Please read. Please watch. Please learn, and Please help me to be a bigger stone in a huge trend by your actions. Thank you.
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「刺し子とはなんぞや」という問いに答えはありません。それは文化として変化してきた結果が今だから。同時に、これだけの変化があったので、「好きな刺し子、嫌な刺し子」が出てくるのもとても自然なことです。僕が願うのは、「好きな刺し子、苦手な刺し子」を自分で見極められるようになる人が増えること、そして、好きな刺し子を突き進めていけるだけの技術を学んで頂くこと……だったりします。手芸としての刺し子の前に存在した刺し子も、やっぱり知ってほしいんですよね。なぜって、僕がそれを知る過程を通して、沢山の素敵な刺し子に出ることができたからなんです。
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2021-03-28 13:10:07

You mentioned the Japanese didn’t embrace the imperfection – is this specifically in regards to the necessity of Sashiko? Is the concept of wabi-sabi a more modern one, or only for specific things?
I read, i watch, i learn. With respect 😌
I am taking action in my appreciation by changing how I approach the mending techniques we use in my high school level garment design class. We will be discussing the meaning of appreciation and the focus on action. Thank you for your work.
❤️ yes.
👏🏾👏🏾
@ateliealbinapinheira
I read your posts with great interest as I am trying to understand and learn – thank you for all that you are doing 🙏
I can’t imagine
You definitely use the word appreciation differently than I would. I’m still discovering what exactly it means to appreciate the fabric. This has led me to greater awareness of what effect the stitching has on the fabric, and a respect for the technique. However, learning is a journey and for sashiko, you have become my guide so I just keep listening and looking at your live videos. Thanks for your patient explanations
❤️