I hope you had moments to mull over the Mind-Food in the previous post. When will Sashiko be “completed”? How/When did Japanese consider it (Sashiko) to be done or completed? Again, there is no absolute answer. We have only imagination. However, the imagination & stories will teach us the importance of supplies & tools. They developed the tools & supplies for reasons, and here is one reason I keep saying, [Sashiko Thread Matter].
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In my understanding, there is no “end/competition” in Sashiko. There are many stop-over stations in its life, but they aren’t the final destination. If I were to set the final destination, it is probably in the trash (or in the ground or in the air as ash). The form right before the trash is well known as “Boro” – which now has a different meaning in English. Sashiko exists in the ordinary, and therefore the Sashiko completes in its usage. Sashiko thread also plays its role in usage, not right after the stitching.
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Sashiko can be the “Art”, but for the reasons above, I do not consider Sashiko as the Art so much. In principle, Sashiko needs to be used – and after all, Sashiko is “consumable goods”. It is perfectly fine to embrace the beautiful looking. However, it is very sad & dangerous when one ignores the stories behind, and say “Thread does not matter as it will make the same looking”. Our Sashiko Threads make a significant difference for the immediate result. Moreover, the difference becomes more significant in 5, or 10 years of using it. Why do I have this story? It is our Sashiko Artisans who spent so much time contributing to the Sashiko Thread.
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*Our Sashiko Threads have only one thickness, twist and materials – just different colors both natural & artificial.
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**Our Online Sashiko Class will have new pricing on 5/14 – check @upcyclestitches to receive “Price Fixing” Offer. Thank you!
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「刺し子は芸術だ」という流行に、「違うと思う」と民藝運動だったり日常としての刺し子を紹介している訳ですが、ふと芸術の対局にある言葉として、刺し子の本質を表す言葉があることに気がつきました。刺し子は結局のところ、「消耗品」ではないかということ。雑巾や襤褸が最終地点であるように、使い続けることが刺し子の本質であれば、それは消耗品。消耗品と芸術の点を線で繋ぐことは不可能ではないけれど難しいので、刺し子は芸術ではないという今の気持ちに至るんだろうと思います。正解なんてのはないのですが、こうして考えを巡らせることで、文化としての何かを残せたら良いなと願っています。
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2023-05-11 21:27:46
