I appreciate the active participation for the yesterdays (8/18) Sashiko Live Session. I feel it has become a pretty good series of story sharing. The archive is available on our Youtube Channel. By sharing stories, I try to illustrate a vague outline of what Sashiko “can” be. Pushing my own “answers & definition” as traditional or authentic is NOT my intention – simply because it is not. Since Sashiko is rooted in the Japanese Ordinary, it is challenging to offer the “whole picture” in one phrase. Therefore, I need many stories, both written & spoken.
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If one keeps reading & watching, the misconception I often get questioned would not happen. However, it is my responsibility to make my intention clear as well. My phrase for 2022 is: [Sashiko introduced in English is NOT wrong but Insufficient]. I do not intend to criticize anything. I hope you know what is followed after this phrase: Since it is NOT sufficient, please keep learning. Since I do not want to simplify Sashiko so easily, I ask to keep learning it. Here you are. So the phrase isn’t really for you – for others who think they know about Sashiko already.
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I learned that the word “Insufficient” can be aggressive in English as I am saying “you are doing wrong Sashiko” I am NOT saying anyone’s Sashiko is Wrong (or even Right). Here, “insufficient” is merely “not enough so keep learning” – how can one learn the whole picture of cultural practice without being there, learning the language, and following all the rituals? Of course, one’s Sashiko isn’t enough. Of course, the Sashiko I practice is NOT enough to describe the whole Sashiko. It can be very uncomfortable, but please try to get out of the dualism value system to learn what Sashiko can be for the Japanese. Then, our Sashiko Stories will make more sense.
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「刺し子とは何か」。昨日の英語での配信で集中的に頂いた質問ですが、私自身幼少期から考え続け、今でも最終的な答えは出ていない問いです。勿論暫定的な答えはあります。でも、それは明日変わる可能性もある。だから「(絶対の)答え」として紹介することは嫌なのです。それでも輪郭くらいは説明しなきゃと思い始めたのが配信であり、またSNSでの文章です。ウェブで「刺し子とは何か」と検索頂くと、早い段階で私達が2018年に描いたブログを見つけて頂けると思います(https://sashico.com/?p=1713)。時毎に戻る文章なのですが今日の配信を振り返りながら、4年経っても同じことを言ってるなぁと。本質はズレません。でも柔軟でいたいのです。だからこそ刺し子をし続けるんです。まだまだ答えを出せる程に学びは足りていませんから。
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2022-08-20 08:45:33
I enjoyed the livestream last night and learn a little more each week. Thanks so much for sharing your stories.
I think the connotation of “incomplete” might be a little more neutral than “insufficient”.
Thank you for sharing.
👏👏👏👏👏😍
👏👏👏👀 . 💜 enjoying learning about this styles of artistry and the culture history. Thank you for sharing with me. Peace and prayers. 👌☕