Many wonder what is the difference between Sashiko, Quilting, Kantha (in India),

Many wonder what is the difference between Sashiko, Quilting, Kantha (in India), and other many “nameless” stitchery. The answer is pretty simple. They are NOT different in general as
“Stitching Practice”. The difference is the background – stories, wisdom, people, and altogether “culture”. Therefore, teaching Sashiko without a cultural story can be very violent & dangerous. Some may say: “Well, if there is no difference between stitching names, we can do whatever we want and call it Sashiko”. They are the same (in practical perspective) yet completely different (because of stories behind).
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Extreme analogy is “us as human beings”. You and I are both human, right? We have many similarities like breathing oxygen in. We are the same as “human”, but different as “individuals”. More similarities can be found when we share the same culture and stories. We appreciate the difference now by celebrating diversity. I like this change, and therefore I am asking the world to do the same to “cultural practice”. I believe “anyone” can be a Japanese person (if they want to), but it requires a lot of learning either given or acquired. Therefore, the Name Matters. The Stories matter. When I see today’s trend in Sashiko, I fear the “simplification” by Western people (or someone with power like “English Language”). If they define the difference in Sashiko insignificant, the stories behind the word will be ignored (unless someone learns English to speak up). Only thing I ask is your “acknowledgement” – that there is so much more to learn in Sashiko, while some are teaching Sashiko with almost no experience & learning in Japanese culture. Please learn it from the one you would like to support. Your choice will make the future.
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英語で刺し子を教える中で、「刺し子と他の針仕事（例えばキルティング）は何が違うの？」と頻繁に聞かれます。答えは単純で、「針仕事として違いはないけど、文化とか背景で結果的に違うものになってる」というお話。私等はみんな人間ですが、育った環境や文化で違う人になります。それを無理矢理同じにしてしまうことはとても乱暴で、残念ながらこんな当たり前のことが事「趣味やアート」になると罷り通ってしまうのです。「みんな違ってみんないい」が私等の刺し子の祈りです。同時に「同じことでも違いを慈しむ」ようになって欲しいと思っています。影響力がある言語（英語）や人に塗り潰されたくない価値観が存在し、私はそれを刺し子を通して伝えていきたいと願っています。
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2022-10-03 23:14:29

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