“Are you saying that we have to understand where ‘Sashiko’ and ‘Boro’ came from & What they are before we claim we are doing Sashiko & Boro?”. One frequent question I receive. I have shared answers already here and on Youtube, but it is important to deliver. So here we go.
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My honest & first reaction is “Why are you even asking this?”. Sashiko is a Japanese Term, right? However, I am NOT saying that they must “Master” or “be fluent” in Japanese or Japanese culture, or Sashiko/Boro to claim what they do Sashiko and Boro. All I am asking is “willingness” to learn about Sashiko & Boro when they realize that there are Japanese voices behind these words. Without proper willingness to learn more, using the foreign words can be categorized into Cultural Appropriation.
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I hope you agree that “I don’t care what Sashiko & Boro are or where they are from, but I am using it just because (they bring me money, followers and attention.)” is a violent statement in terms of Preserving the Culture. It is NOT anyone’s fault that they didn’t know it. There aren’t (weren’t) many resources. However, after they come across the voices, then ignoring (indifference) it for their convenience causes significant pain. Sashiko & Boro are the Japanese words: They are not the marketing terms for someone’s business.
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偉そうに文章にしていますが、基本失敗だらけです（笑）。一生忘れないだろうなと思う失敗の一つが、僕の日本語の理解と一般的な理解が違ってしまい誤解をうんでしまったこと。「定義」と聞くと構えてしまうのが日本ですもんね。はたまたそれが「再定義」なんて言ったら怖さすら感じてしまう。僕が「いや、物語を掘り出したいだけなんです」と言った所で、再定義という言葉を使った段階で壁ができてしまう。大反省です。
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米国では定義が全てです。日本語のような良い意味での曖昧さがあると、異文化が集まる国では争いがうまれます。だから必ずルールが必要です。そんな絶対的な定義が必要な国で、「定義なんて趣がねーなー」という文化を伝える。考えれば考える程無謀ですが、でもね、頑張りますよ（というわけで、Youtubeにまた英語の動画をアップしました。ちょっと冒険したよ）。
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2021-10-20 11:35:02
On YouTube there is a Japanese man who finds images of western people with a tattoo in Japanese kanji lettering. Their idea of what it says often varies WILDLY from how he reads them. The guy is alternately in stitches with laughter or suffering from second hand embarrassment. These are the risks of not caring enough to look beyond the superficial, the instant gratification. And just checking a little to see if what you’re told is correct. All it takes is a bit of interest!
同じ言語を使っていても誤解が生まれることがあるんだから、他言語、他文化の中で伝えるのは大変なんてものじゃないですよね。
ところでアイコン日替わりですか？(笑)
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Bellísimo trabajo bordado ❤️❤️❤️
再定義‥‥そんなこともありましたねー
😌👍
It must be so frustrating to have to constantly deal with this issue over and over again… People should educate themselves. I think part of the problem is that most Western and European countries have historically appropriated the cultures of others with little true understanding of those cultures. I also feel that if they don’t like how you present Sashiko and other information about Japanese culture.. Don’t subscribe. Honestly, there are so many channels out there to choose from.
Thank you 🙏
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言葉で伝えるのは本当に難しいですよね。再定義….そんなこともありましたね！！
Very well said. 👏
Thank you Atsushi for spreading the message and I’m sorry it’s taking a sledgehammer
Well said!