A title for this Sashiko would be “Japanese Ocean in November” – with Hishi Seik

A title for this Sashiko would be “Japanese Ocean in November” – with Hishi Seikaiha & Amimon Patterns. We have reasons why we mostly use geometric patterns instead of pictorial pattern
(like Fuji Mt. – I am NOT saying it is wrong to stitch a pictorial pattern and call it Sashiko). Each geometric pattern has meaning & motifs, and each Sashiko contains the stitcher’s prayer. This “Pray” is what resides within Sashiko – the Sashiko we would like to pass down.
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Many Japanese households has(had) Kotatsu (炬燵) – the table with heater(fireplace) inside, and covered by large piece of fabric – often Futon (布団）. Since the fabric will be directed to the heat, it was expected to be stronger & thicker. Therefore, we can find many Sashiko in Furon for Kotatsu. We even call it “Kotatsu Futon” as a proper noun. Therefore, this pig piece isn’t so extremely special. The amount of stitching is wonderful, but the idea itself is very ordinary, and many other Japanese people have done the same.
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I say my goal is to “pass down” the Sashiko we practice. One concrete mission for that purpose is to support the (rising) Sashiko artisans who can make this in 2022, and hopefully in 2052, 30 years from now. Sashiko in the trend is NOT wrong at all, but it is sad to imagine the future of Sashiko without the people who can make this. This piece isn’t vintage or antique – it was made in 2022. Trust me. Anyone can reach this level when they take my workshop & keep stitching. “Continuous Stitching in a proper Kata (form)” is the key, and the Kata is designed to motivate the stitcher to continue stitching. I used to think that we won’t be able to “pass down” the culture due to aging Sashiko artisans. Now, after I decided to share, I can see the future of Sashiko with new rising artisans. I, of course, would like to support them to keep making this kinds of pieces.
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火鉢と炬燵。幼少期、めちゃくちゃ（理不尽に）厳しかった爺ちゃんとの思い出に登場する小道具です。爺ちゃんがついた餅を炭火の火鉢の上で焼いて食べるのは本当に美味しかった。漫画みたいな膨らみ方をするのです。昔の日本の風景には炬燵が登場し、その炬燵には刺し子がしてあったりします。やっぱり刺し子は実用的で生活の中に存在していました。現代で炬燵布団に刺し子をしたものを使う人は多くはないでしょうが、それでももしそれを希望される人がいたら、提供できるくらいの伝統は残しておきたいものです。
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2022-11-16 21:33:28

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