While the definition of “authentic” is not so clear (to me), it is difficult to prove the authenticity. To be honest, I do not even feel the need to prove it. All I do is to share the stories – the stories I have been receiving & experiencing.
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The more I share the stories, the less I can stitch. The more I stitch, the less I can share the stories. As of now, I prioritize the story-telling because the Sashiko I know is becoming (or has become) something filtered & twisted. I would like to protect what my mother (Keiko as a genius Sashiko artisan) does. I would like to rebuild the future of many Sashiko friends I have.
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Anyone can be anything on this Internet. It is us who needs to distinguish the authentic and fake. It is scary because the fake looks more authentic by their marketing & advertisement. How it looks is more important than what it is. Therefore… I keep sharing my “unedit” version of stitching. It is “Sashiko Talk (Sashiko LiveStreaming)”. I am a real person who stitches in front of the camera without any “edit”. I offer it every 2 weeks on Sunday night. It is tonight at 9 pm EDT. Please join us & enjoy Sashiko stitching.
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先日頂いたコメントにお返事をする形で、「ホンモノを見極める力」という話題に少し触れました。この「ホンモノ」という概念。なかなかにやっかいです。あくまで僕の定義にはなってしまうのですが、ホンモノとは、つまりは「実際に行動している人」です。技術が高い人だけじゃない。ここで言えば、「刺し子をしている人」がホンモノです。当たり前じゃないかと思うあなた。鋭い。ただ現実には「刺し子をしていると装うことによって利を得る人」がいたりします。約14年前の僕です(笑)。当時は刺し子はほぼ一切せずに数字ばかり睨んでました。
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自戒の念も込めて、諸先輩方に手をお見せする恥を忍びながら、編集なしで「行動としての刺し子」をお見せしているのが配信です。「どれだけでも刺し子できるよ」と言葉にしたら、「24時間(以上)配信してみる」。少しでもホンモノに近づきたい場所だったりします。
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運針会でご縁を頂いた方が、日々「ホンモノ」になっていく姿をみて、少し羨ましかったりします。僕の今の優先順位は「伝えること」でもあるのでね。ホンモノを見つけるのはそんなに難しくありません。でも、その中で自分が見定めるホンモノにしっかりと自信が持てるような「見抜ける力」を養いたいものです。
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2021-04-25 13:07:54

9PM EDT? New York time?
I had no idea you did that live talks. I have a lot to catch up. Beautiful work. And true words. 🧡
I will do my best to be there. I’m on Pacific coast though. I also am or was surprised at some of stories about not understanding the meaning of sashiko to you. I want you to know I listen to you while you on you tube mostly and never thought anything but how I love it and the history makes it that much warmer to me. So much I wonder, me not being japanese, if sashiko will only be a pretty pattern. I feel I would not be so fascinated by sashiko if I hadn’t found you. Please know I appreciate you and the history as much as the stitching. Please stay with us. I’m so lucky you have desire to share this beautiful technique and to imagine your ancestors stitching away and sharing to help time to pass during those hard times. I have compassion for sashiko.
I would love to join you soon!
Sad to have missed your live streaming! 😞… but pretty happy to have discovered you and the Sashiko culture. Thank for sharing so much passion with us. 🙌