One Story. Two completely opposite feedback – one with joy & appreciation, another with anger & aggression. I used to think it was because of my language ability. Not any more. Since I do not “define” it so clearly or provide the clear “answers”, my story becomes a mirror that reflects who they are. This is a scary realization – no matter how much I try, there will be those who attack me “regardless” of what I write. They only read what they want to read by clipping what I wrote. The safest way is to stop writing. However, I need to protect my own identity – and stop writing will result in changing it.
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Therefore, I am here to “Share”. I dare not to expect them to be “different”. I do not ask for any changes. I am not here to convince anyone. I don’t really need to validate my logic either. However, “sharing” brings 2 completely opposite feedbacks. I am a human. Of course, I care what others think about me. So, I decided to just “leave” it there. I summarize my message on SNS as a “story”. On Youtube, I will start sharing unedited stories with my unedited stitching as “raw materials (1st source of information)”. One may clip and paste what I say & create an easy & catchy summary saying “Atsushi is trying to shut others up in Sashiko”. It isn’t true, but that’s how they want to understand my stories. Then, what I can do is to leave “everything” so others will “re-repaint” the repainted version of Sashiko. If I cannot stop the process of “repainting” the culture, all I can do is to leave the “original paint” so someone else may/can re-repaint.
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It is very unfortunate that I have to do this emotional & physical labor. 20 years ago, it wasn’t necessary. However, I hope all that I do would contribute to other cultures that may be in the same muddy stream of “Cultural Appropriation”. I know I am not alone in this. Therefore, I can keep sharing (The first unedited voice is on Youtube as Live Streaming Archives on 7/21).
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日本を離れて7年。一度も日本の地を踏んでません。気楽に日本に戻れる日がきたら、夢があります。それは、今、この瞬間に、日本で、日本語で、刺し子を楽しんでいる人に会いにいくこと。お話を伺いに行くこと。2012年に刺し子に対する見方が180度変わり、この7年で刺し子に対する想いが広がりました。やっぱり僕は、刺し子は日本のものであって欲しいのです。日本が誇れる、日本の当たり前（だったもの）だと思うから。
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2021-07-22 09:33:30
I very much appreciate your sharing
A mirror… exactly!
“Because he believes in himself, he doesn’t try to convince others. Because he is content with himself, he doesn’t need other’s approval. Because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him.” Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, ch. 30.
It is such a disturbing place for you to be put into. I feel that you are making decisions on what has become necessary to do and I support you and your family. At 80 years old, I am very sad and angry that this is what part of our world has come to. However, there are many folks who don’t turn towards the ugly side but towards the light. With utmost respect, I wish you the best in life.
You are not alone in this.
Please keep sharing your stories and what feedback does to you as a person. I’m learning so much from reading your posts🙏🏼. Today I saw a short video on Insta on which two non-Japanese people deliberately dropped a newly made concrete table top on the ground, started to recollect the broken pieces to make a kintsugi table. And called it that way. Even though I’m not Japanese I felt pain in seeing what they did and realised that what you feel -as it is your culture- must be so much stronger. It’s not sashiko, but it relates to your wise lessons about cultural appropriation. Those lessons opened my eyes.
I love this pattern. What do you call it in Japan? In Java island (Indonesia) this pattern is commonly used in batik; the pattern is called “kawung” which is one of the oldest pattern known in the Javanese culture. It symbolises simplicity and purity. 🙏🏼
🌻🌻🌻 🪡
Thank you for mentioning your YouTube channel. I straightaway subscribed and am looking forward to your videos and comments there as well as on Instagram. Many thanks. 🪡
居場所をつくってカのださり感謝しています
作品を前にワイワイしながら刺し子がしたいです
It is often the case Atsushi Ji that those who are fighting for truth, doing important work in the world that benefits not just themselves and their petty personal agendas, but whose work has repercussions and waves of benefits for generations to come, it is often the case that the work of people like this (and you are most definitely one of them!) is often attacked, ignored or is the subject of deliberate misrepresentation by those who feel threatened by the sound of truth. Anyone who does anything significant with their life in this world will face these reactions. It is the surest sign that you are on the right path and that the hand of Purpose is with you. Often this great work is only recognized in the generations that follow. You are not alone in this work. Sashiko is not a trend, nor a ‘commodity’ to be traded. It is a precious cultural artefact. The result of generations of struggles, dreams, effort, hopes and desires. you are definitely not alone. The force of all this is behind you. 🙏🏾
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Thank you, @sashikostory
I think you’re just an angry and unhappy person. It’s not a communication issue. It’s who you are. That’s not uncommon in the art world. Just be yourself.