The word, “Sashiko (and Boro)”, is quite simplified and romanticized in translation – some intentionally, and then majority unintentionally, to mold “it” into something comfortable & convenient in Western Culture. Sashiko and Boro aren’t the only case: “Ikigai”, “Pechakucha”, “Kombucha”, “Kakeibo”… I can list numbers of Japanese words in English with strange meanings to me. Some words are romanticized partially & used for similar purposes. Other words carry completely different meanings in English. I am NOT criticizing this “change”. It happens cross culturally. Japanese do the same in the opposite direction. It isn’t a matter of good or bad when it happens naturally. However, when one changes it intentionally to take advantage of their power (here, English ability) and squeeze profit out of it while ignoring the voice (pain) from the people behind the word is Wrong. You are the one who decide it is good or bad, but I believe I consider their actions disgusting.
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It is happening to many words. It means it can happen to any words in Japanese. An ordinary word relating to Sashiko may soon be a fancy word by western romanticizing it. One word I see coming next (or already here) is “Zokin (雑巾)”. Similar to Boro, I feel extremely uncomfortable to gloss over. So, I have been sharing what Zokin is for us & How to make/apply it to our ordinary days. I re-filmed the video & uploaded it as 2022 version (the previous one was in 2019). You can find it on Youtube & please learn what “Zokin (雑巾)” is to understand what Sashiko can be for us.
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ここ数年、沢山の日本語が「美化されて」英語となっています。配信でもお伝えしていることなので具体例は省略しますが、言葉によって意味のいい部分の上澄だけをとられたものから、全く違う意味になってしまった言葉もあります。刺し子も襤褸もその一部。でもこれはどこでもいつでもあった現象で、ネット社会だから拡散が早いだけだと思っています。それはつまり、「どんな単語にも起こりうること」だと思います。味噌汁が日本の高級料理として紹介される日も来るかも！？（それはあり得ないですが、刺し子に起こっていることは同類のことです）。
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「雑巾」。「刺し子はアート」はまだわかるとして、「雑巾はアート。壁に飾らなきゃ」って変じゃないですか？でも、そういう日が来るかもしれない。何を選択するかは人それぞれだけど、守る側の人間としての責任「紹介すること」は果たしておきたいのです。日本人の大多数は英語わかんないでしょと好き勝手自分勝手に事実を捻じ曲げる人が増える現代だからこそ、対抗手段は「紹介すること」なんだと思うのですよ。
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2022-09-26 10:46:49
@donna.gordge.art
I have been a lay Zen Buddhist in the west for nearly two decades. The west did the same thing to the word “Zen”…the ignorance is very sad. 😔
This piece is so interesting!
I googled ‘Zokin’ and your video was first. Thank you, I have learnt something today. I appreciate the care taken to prepare something as ordinary as a cleaning rag.
That piece is like following a 💭 dream! So amazing.