The photo is a close-up of the Sashiko Jackets I shared in the interview with S

The photo is a close-up of the Sashiko Jackets I shared in the interview with @textiletapes. Sashiko isn’t only in books or archives. As much as we learn from history, some of Sashiko aren’t history yet – it is still a series of stories by the people who practice Sashiko today toward the future. However, it is true that Sashiko is a “declining” practice from the “traditional” perspective. Therefore, your choice directly becomes the support for the tradition. When you are interested, please learn from the Japanese who practice the Japanese Sashiko – not only the “Sashiko” filtered by non-Japanese for their convenience.

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I am NOT saying non-Japanese never should teach Sashiko. If a teacher thinks that they are qualified to teach, no one can/should stop that. It is after all “Our Choice” of who we learn from. One thing I can say is that there is a significant difference in level of “qualification” between Japanese & non-Japanese in teaching. Please do not feel you learned “everything” by learning someone non-Japanese. Your choice will make the future of Sashiko (or any culture for that matter), so please be mindful who you are learning from.

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History is a series of stories “(mainly) chosen” by dominating people. Before the Internet, my voice wouldn’t be heard. However, the Internet enables minorities to be a part of history. I was raised by many unknown teachers who wished NOT to teach – because “teaching” in Japanese seems to be different from “teaching” in western culture. My mission is to share those stories so that YOU can be a part of the future of Sashiko. Sashiko isn’t history yet. 

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「俺の刺し子は過去で、皆様の刺し子は未来だ」と刺し子をお伝えする度に思います。伝統的な刺し子は大好きですが、だからといって伝統でなければならないと固執はしていません。伝統とは変化し続けるものだと思うので。ただ、過去がなければ未来は存在しません。伝統も一緒。だからこそ、僕は過去で有り続けることに意義を感じるし、そういう役割なんだろうと思っています。恵子さんが相当先の未来行ってるしね。年齢という概念はないんだろうと思います。

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昨日のロンドンの学生さんとのトーク。緊張が少なかったからか、なかなかいい感じに思いを言葉にできたと思っています。前編英語ですが、1時間程度のIGTV、ご覧頂ければ嬉しいです。自分で選んだ道とはいえ、進めば進むほど、本当に果てしないことをしようとしてるんだなぁ……と我ながら笑えてきます。でもね、きっと今だからこそできることなんですよね。

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2021-05-03 14:05:32

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