Technology has made us rush – we need to be quick in this society. As we all benefit from it, it may be “too quick” in some areas. On SNS, one asks a question, and another almost immediately answers it. One is happy to receive “the answer”. Another is happy to help others. It happens so quickly that we do not even think if “the answer” is reasonable.
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One asks a question “What is the right size stitch for Sashiko”, another replies “It has to be rice grain” – all conversation is done in English so quickly, among (probably) non-Japanese. Do they acknowledge that Sashiko is the Japanese word? Is it fair for them to define the answers without involving Japanese? (I mean, what kind of rice grain is the answer?)
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This is just one sample of how scary I feel. As you know by now, I have no answers for “stitches size”. Our own Rhythm defines the size, not someone. Yet, outside of Japan, in non-Japanese language, without experienced Japanese involved: the answers have been defined. When it happens, the Culture is no longer sustainable. Fortunately, however, the solution is simple: “acknowledge” it. Acknowledge where it comes from, the upstream of knowledge. Try to see if that “upstream” may be influencing other upstrams. In this account, I speak up about our Sashiko, but I say our Sashiko is NOT the only answer because there are other upstreams in Sashiko. In this context, I have the power as “English” to speak up – but there are many other Sashiko without. So I have a responsibility to speak up about other Sashiko – as I sustain what I do. However, for now, I need to focus on the bigger picture: Cultural Sustainability. It is happening everywhere besides Sashiko – please stop acting quick, and then think mindfully when you get close to other cultures. Don’t rush to get an answer. No need to learn it seriously. Just try to “acknowledge” it, and choose who you learn “it” from.
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日本の方にも知って頂けるように日本語でもしっかり！と意志表明したのにこの有様です（笑）英語の長文、ごめんなさい。そうだよなぁ。これだけ英語が長いと、この日本語まで辿り着く人は限られてしまうよな…。今回の英語の投稿は愚痴じゃなく希望です。もちろん、配信でも話します。金曜日は必ず。その前にインスタでもできれば。刺し子が楽しいのは勿論として、楽しい刺し子は前提条件として、人生を刺し子にかけている一人として、沢山お話を、思いを、希望を残しておきたいなと思うのです。
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2022-11-02 21:01:03
❤️❤️❤️thank you for sharing your knowledge
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I just love this! What kind of rice grain, indeed.
Many people are ‘consumers’ and not really creators. They explore other cultures but sometimes they don’t really open the package. They ‘consume’ other cultures and, as ‘clients’, they have their own impressions; not deep knowledge. I adore the beautiful look of sashiko stitches but i don’t want to make it simply imitating gestures. I’ve been in Japan and took a sashiko workshop, in Tokyo, yes, but still. It’s not my true culture and I don’t want to disrespect it. Thanks god we have enough embroidery tradition at home :). Many thanks for all your images and thoughts!
Your stories are livelessons for me❤️
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This conversation is beautiful and what sharing cultural traditions is all about. It’s not about copying the “look” of a tradition – though that has its place, but really understanding where the tradition comes from. Sashiko has such history and I’m delighted to learn it. I try to focus on repurposing and sustainability in my sewing and of course sashiko has come up in my research. I just tried it the other day. In single-ply fabric, to create a new (tiny pouch) object, not exactly culturally correct! But I’m doing reading and I’m learning. I’m excited at learning more about historical uses. I can see how the stitching in strong cotton reinforces the thin cotton fabric but in a beautiful decorative way, with intention, I think that even though my cultural profile is far from Japanese I can use this technique a lot in my mending and creating. I can also do so with respect and knowledge of the origins of the technique thanks to accounts like these. Thank you for the knowledge, sashikostory. Im staying tuned and have all of the books from my library on this technique!! I can’t wait to hear more from you.
Thank you for your knowledge, lessons, and beautiful work
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Mi Inglés no es tan bueno, entonces prefiero escribir en mi lengua, aunque no me entiendan rápidamente. Amo tejer y bordar, principalmente por que me conectan con un ritmo de tiempo diferente y con la creación de un objeto que puede ser utilitario pero esta destinado a alguien o algo en particular, y como tal, se llena de una emoción única. Tuve hoy la sensación de encontrar algo parecido en este arte, muchas gracias
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Wise & clever man 🙌