I say I do not like a trend of associating Sashiko to Zen/Meditation. It is true we can enjoy the meditative outcome by practicing Sashiko. However, as the one who has been thinking about “What is Sashiko?”, I share the stories why Sashiko is NOT so much Zen/Meditation. From one viewpoint – it can be completely opposite.
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The significant difference is the “direction”. Meditation is more like “self-care”, and “Zen” is somewhat like a way to achieve enlightenment (or self-discipline). It is an “inward” direction, and the center of practice is “oneself”. Conversely, Sashiko was(is) a stitching to go an “toward (outward)” direction. The center of Sashiko exists in “they/you”. Of course, a practice can go both “inward & outward” simultaneously – however, without even realizing this difference, teaching Sashiko as “Zen” or “Meditation” is quite dangerous.
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It is important to have a way of self-care. I enjoy meditation (Vipassana), and I absolutely agree with the similar meditative outcome of Sashiko – Sashiko Stitching can heal us. However, as you here listen to my stories, please know that Core of Sashiko exists in the “outward” direction – and we have this word in English – “Prayer”. I don’t know any Sashiko teachers who teach Sashiko as “prayer” yet… because I understand there isn’t much to teach in “praying”. No Right or Wrong in Prayers… right? My hope is to leave “No-One (who developed Japanese Sashiko so far)” behind in this trend. I am pretty sure… those who stitched in Japan many years ago, what they thought in stitching was not an egoistic self-care (or self-realization): It was the well-being of their family & friends. That is why, Sashiko can be powerful in today’s society.
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英語圏での刺し子は頻繁に「禅」や「瞑想」の方法として紹介されます。確かに刺し子をすることで瞑想状態に入ることもありますし、そこから得られる癒しも真実です。ただ、「刺し子＝禅」と定義してしまうことは、大切なことを忘れてしまう結果に繋がりかねません。
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一番の違いは「思いの方向」です。禅や瞑想は「己」を大切にする（律する）為の手段や修行です。逆に刺し子は「布の補強＝誰かの為の針仕事」が元来の姿であり、だからこそ思いは「誰か大切な人を思いやる」という外側に向くものだと思っています。もちろん、この内向き＆外向きは同時進行が可能です。自分を大切にしながら他人を想うことも勿論可能です。ただ、「違いがあると思う」というお話を知って頂くことが大切だなと。日本語では同様のことを思う方はいらっしゃると思うのですが、英語圏でこのような話をしている人は決して多くないので。
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2023-01-25 03:17:46
❤️
Splendid
🙏🏼🪷
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and cultural expertise. 🙌
Thank you, it is important to understand the points you explain.
「刺し子＝禅」とはびっくりです。確かに刺し子でもフランス刺しゅうでも夢中でやっていると、我を忘れて無我の境地よのうになることはありますが、それを＝で結ぶ発想は❔に気がしますね。
Into the Groove
Agree, plus the ordinary day work of stitching is a repetitive act that when done over and over leaves its impact on the body. The stitching thimble is important because needleworkers get sore fingers. When I was a gardener everyone used to say ‘oh gardening, how romantic, how meditative!’ Because for them it was a hobby from their dull office job. But they did not see the cracked hands, cold fingers, the sunburn, the sciatica and baths to relieve back ache, from doing it every day. Yes it’s great, but also ordinary and (I notice as I age) sometimes stiff or tough to keep up.
Thank you for your clear explanation of the difference 🙏🏼
I see it as with embroidery or stitching in general a way to put our love to fabric and share it this your outward discussion
Thank you for the opportunity to ponder inwards vs outwards. You always open new doors!