The more I learn the value in Western Culture, the more I realize what I share,

The more I learn the value in Western Culture, the more I realize what I share, Sashiko as the Japanese Ordinary, contains the antithesis to today’s “expectation”. I feel something significant is missing in Sashiko introduced in English because people interpret (translate) Sashiko to fit their expectation, which is strongly connected to the Western Culture. We as Japanese also now live in the Western Value. So, this antithesis can be quite strange, but I believe this may encourage some who feel difficulty in living in today’s society.
☆
Many ask me to provide the “answers” and “definition”. Since I share stories in English, in Western Value, I need to come up with these (and I do so). However, please understand that we do not have specific definitions & answers to the Sashiko we practice. We have wisdom, style, and pride in what we do. However, we don’t force others as if ours is the only one. I advocate the importance of “Communication/Dialogue with Fabric”. The “Dialogue” is different from discussion, or even giving/receiving advice. A dialogue shouldn’t have the predetermined goal, or another word: conclusion. When one asks for the answer (conclusion), the dialogue becomes either advice (when they agree) or argument (when they disagree). The goal of discussion is to get the “answers”, but that’s not the principle of Sashiko we practice.
☆
“Sashiko lit. means Little Stabs”. That’s one definition, and I do not agree. It does NOT. Then some may ask, “What is it?”. I don’t have answers to meet their expectations. The answer is here, in this account, but the answer isn’t something already defined. It is something we all find, one day one shape, another day in a different shape. I teach “how to find the answers you may reach” in my workshop – not only the superficial “technique”. Sashiko is easy, but very deep & challenging to understand for those outside of Japanese Ordinary.
☆
–
–
–
☆
イギリスのテレビ番組で と が取り上げられた様で反響を頂いています。私は全く携わっていないんですけどね（笑）日常の針仕事で正解も間違いもへったくれもない刺し子ですが、でも、あまりにも違う角度から紹介されるのはなぁと。「見る価値なし」と助言頂く中で、「大袈裟な」っていう反応も。いやいや、批判も賞賛もしてないのに完全に妄想やん。流行に乗れば形は歪にも変わります。それを変化と呼ぶかどうかは、その文化に生きる私たちが決めることなんじゃねーかなと思っているのですよ。
☆

2022-06-25 23:32:06

Source