After this post, I will go back to my regular routine: sharing “Sashiko Story” instead of talking about “Cultural Sustainability” and “Cultural Appropriation”. I receive comments saying: [I am worried if I am “appropriating” the culture] & [What can I do to respect it]. Well, the first step is to watch the videos I made on Youtube, but long-story-short, I say, [Don’t worry about it too much] and [Try to respect is already a respect]. You & others who worry about the issues are not the one causing pain. If you worry about it, then don’t worry too much. I want you to enjoy Sashiko.
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One big message in sharing Sashiko is the importance of “Thinking/Acting outside (in-between) the Dualism”. Accusing them to “correct” their thinking & action is already Western – the dualism that I am right, and they are wrong. I do not consider anyone as “enemy” to defeat – I just want to meet & share many stories somewhere in-between where no one need to be defensive, or ask for validation. I keep speaking up for those who would like to learn, and for those who ignore our story deliberately: so that they may realize they are “ignoring” not only Sashiko as a stitching technique but something more important to fully embrace this practice. Since we receive fortune to meet, I want you(them) to enjoy it the most.
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I do not want to accuse anyone. I want them to realize it by following the Japanese way to “communicate”. I don’t know if I can be successful in this, but I strongly believe that the Internet enables me to do so. I strongly believe we can act decently when we have good resources. “Understanding not arguing” is how I would like to pass down Sashiko to the next generation. Please keep learning. Please support those who are specialized in it instead of a general store selling “Sashiko” as “a part” of their offering. There are reasons for what we use, make, and offer. Your choice will help us to maintain “Cultural Sustainability”.
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日々英語で書いている内容、とんでもないことをしようとしているのは承知の上なのでの毎日の言葉です。日本的な勝ち負けを決めすぎない議論を、勝ち負けを決めることが美学の英語圏で行う。悪にも正義があるという価値観を、正義しか存在しないと言う人達に伝える。普通は無理です。でも、刺し子を通して「知りたい」と思って下さるからこそ続けられていることなのです。そろそろ刺し子の投稿に戻りますね（笑）今回の件は今週の配信でまた纏めます。
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2022-10-17 23:39:50
I have loved your posts about cultural sustainability. Thank you so much for sharing.
Perhaps the best thing to do when we find posts on social media showing “Sashiko” that is just pattern stitches used for a repair, or other alleging of Sashiko that seems off, is to suggest in a comment that there is so much to learn and appreciate culturally and learn about what Sashiko is, and suggesting they learn more via @sashikostory. That way it offers truth to the poster and their viewers without making arguments or claims ourselves. You do the talking through your channels. I’ve done that and have yet to be lambasted by anyone. I feel a responsibility to stand up for artists and creators and help support them in ways I can. So offering a way for people to see Sashiko from a lifelong practitioner and learned teacher helps them and in some way may help you. I don’t know if it has made a difference, but showing more people your account is in itself a good thing.
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I asked a question and expressed concerns in an earlier post and was so appreciative of your reply. I have been thinking about Sashiko and have been working on making the napkins you posted – that you include in lunches. By doing I have experienced how it changes the weight and feel of the fabric. It feels so meditative and it’s so clever how the patterns emerge from straight rows of stitches (no curves yet). As I read your posts and hold and feel my work, I am moving towards a better understanding for this art that is far more than a running stitch. Thank you for being patient.
Will also mention where I think some misunderstanding happens. I have read about Sashiko and I have noticed that in work translated to English the work “reinforcement” is used as a description. (ie Sashiko Style in introduction – published by Japan Publications). I am in the US and reinforcement to many here is associated with mending. Pant knees are reinforced by stitching over the worn spots. I am trying to think of a better English word to use that doesn’t have such a strong relationship to mending or repair. I hope that I am making sense – I am not challenging anyone but just sharing a thought and hope people will explain if they disagree so I can learn more.
Fascinating journey