In my Sashiko Class (Online/In-Person), I of course teach Sashiko as “Technique”. However, what I intend to pass down is something beyond the technique: I call it “Japanese Ordinary”. In order to reach there, “technique” is a must to have. However, learning technique (completing the class) isn’t the end of Sashiko – it is just the beginning of Your Sashiko. I know I am talking about something abstract like “Zen-Mondo (禅問答)”… but I don’t have other ways to describe what I am teaching.
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“Quality of materials” are extremely important: however, without stories, it may not be the best materials for Sashiko. “Efficiency (How quick one can reach the goal)” is important to teach something, but what I want them to find may be on the sidewalk of the detour they didn’t plan to take. Sashiko is very simple. Learning Sashiko isn’t difficult: However, Sashiko isn’t so simple, and learning Sashiko can be extremely difficult to some. It depends on where they stand – and I adjust my teaching style to look at it from where they look at it.
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If Sashiko was only “technique”, Sashiko would have shaped something else today: either completely “lost” in the history, or has become something more special (like other Traditional Crafts). Technique is important, but there is more than that. My life is all about finding what “more” it is, and sharing so that I can learn more. It is fun to learn something new, or probably “nostalgic” for you.
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「集中力」の中毒性を侮っていたかもしれません。普段は刺し子に集中することなんてないので、逆に集中して針を動かすことが楽しくなって(?)しまって、一目刺しが止まらない。仕事は山積みなのですが。刺し子が人気になっている理由の一つは、この「集中できる」と言う要素だと思います。気分転換になる。頭がスッキリする。集中することは難しいとされていますが、逆にそれ故に中毒性があったりします。ただ、「集中する=非日常」というのが一般的だと思います。日常で常に集中できる人は、たぶん、刺し子にはどっぷり浸からないかなと。私が思う刺し子の本質は「日常」なので、ここでも少し矛盾が発生してきます。この矛盾を解く鍵は沢山あって、それを話しているのが配信かなぁと思っています。ね、単純に「刺し子楽しいねぇ」で終われば良いのに、ほんとめんどくさいですね。ただ、ずーっとこういう日々を送ってきたので、考えない方が気持ち悪かったりするのです。針と糸と布ですが、そこに誰かの何かが詰まっているような気もしていて。
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2022-10-31 08:15:10

Wow
I’m very glad to have found your socials. I recently just watched your series of videos on sashiko story and it was really engaging. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge in English
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I love the energy and “aliveness” that comes through in the image of these stitches.
Loving this patterning – the way it draws you in and the way the colours relate with each other and then appreciating the whole…wonderful Thank you for sharing Sashiko 🙏🏻☺️
Arte, belloooo