“The Japanese practiced Sashiko to survive through the harsh conditions with limited resources” is a true statement. I used to use the word “poor” and “poverty” instead of “harsh conditions” and “limited resources”. The more I learn about the English definition, I need to replace these words. After all Sashiko is NOT a hand-stitching culture in poverty (with understanding the definition of poor & poverty). This realization wouldn’t happen in Japan in the Japanese language. I am still learning how to introduce our culture in different languages. So interesting, and so delicate to handle (otherwise, it may be broken).
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[Poverty = the state of being extremely poor] / [Poor = “worse than is usual, expected, or desirable; of a low or inferior standard or quality” or “lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society”]. These definitions are from web dictionary, yet not what I wanted to introduce as Sashiko/Boro fully (of course, it relates a lot).
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続ければ続けるほど、知れば知るほど、「まだまだ勉強が足らない」と学びを深めています。論語の孔子でも、哲学のソクラテスでも、「知らないということを知る大切さ」を説いているわけですが、学びとは終わりがないものなんだなぁと深く感じています。昔の方が、刺し子に関しては楽に文章にしていたんですよね。それだけ知らなかったということなんでしょうけれど。
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「貧しい＝不幸」という関係図は日本語では成り立つでしょうか？豊かであれば、確かに不幸を避けられる事はあるでしょうが、だからといって貧しいから即ち不幸かというと、やっぱり違うと思っています。また、貧しさと人間性にも相関関係を持たせないのが日本文化です。（寧ろ貧しさに清らかさを求めるくらいなのかな）。これが、日本を飛び出て、言語が変わると、違うニュアンスが出てくるんだという事を学んでいます。
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「刺し子は貧しかった日本人の手仕事」は、歴史的に見ても真実だと思います。ただ、これをそのまま英訳にすると、様々な誤解が出てくる。それは「前提」が違うから。そんな感じの話を今日の刺し子配信でお話しました。深く掘り下げていくと、まだまだ勉強です。
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2021-04-02 13:14:27
You can be poor, experience poverty but be rich of heart. The opposite is also true, wealthy but mean Spirited.
Thank you for sharing this. I have definitely misspoken when I’ve included Sashiko (and boro) in my presentations around mending. Thank you for helping me to learn so I can speak accurately.
So true! Thank you for reframing this incredibly rich time period and cultural values and sensitivities. There is indeed a difference. I read a book called The Art of Gaman, that was about art created by Japanese who were interned during WW 2 in the US. Again, harsh conditions , limited resources yet…. beautiful works of craft and art. Much of it artful solutions to the need for something practical and every day.
oh wow❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Thank you. Language and how it shapes our perceptions of the world, as well as expressions of internal experience and the barriers that can arise, is something I spend a lot of time considering.
This has helped to bridge a gap in my understanding.
私のマイクのボリューム調整が悪かった為、その話題についておしゃべり出来なくて残念でした。またの機会が在れば、ぜひ参加させてください♪
This is such an interesting language explanation. The way you explain it reminds me of the feeling of “make do” which is more like using skill and what you have to do what is needed. There is a culture around that in Appalachia (West Virginia is a good example)
Absolutely, especially when considering the connotation of these terms in American English. 😵💫😵💫😵💫 I really appreciate being able to watch this transition/translation happen in real time though, and I think this documentation is really interesting and important!
Thanks for sharing…
Thank you for your explanation. It is a delicate difference and worth taking the time to consider. Thanks