I occasionally talk about “Cultural Appropriation in Sashiko”. Some people react

I occasionally talk about “Cultural Appropriation in Sashiko”. Some people react to just the word “Cultural Appropriation” even without reading/watching my message. I wish they would read/watch what I write/say instead of what you think I am writing/saying before reacting. They get angry saying “Japanese use ○○, and they should stop using ○○”. I NEVER say that non-Japanese should quit enjoying Sashiko – as you know, my message is the opposite. I want EVERYONE to enjoy Sashiko – and THEREFORE, I am sharing more stories. Unfortunately, the Sashiko introduced in English isn’t sufficient. Some may be missing the most delicious part of its practice.
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For Cultural Appropriation in Sashiko, all I ask is “Acknowledgement”. The opposite word is “Ignorance”. Extreme example here. Imagine something you are proud of that you and your family spend your entire life. Let’s say “Jazz” as music. Your family achieved some, and you are proud of it. There are so many kinds of Jazz, and it is difficult to define the “answer”. You don’t define the answer while respecting your own heritage. That’s a healthy form of the culture. However, imagine, in a bigger world somewhere, there they “define” the answer of “Jazz” without any acknowledgement to you – where they don’t speak your language, some has never visited your country, yet they “define” the answer without even the acknowledgement of the legacy you are proud of. This is what is happening in Sashiko – but Sashiko isn’t only one case. There are more. Again, all I am asking is to “Acknowledge” there are people behind – the Japanese people & Japanese story behind the word: Sashiko. I believe it is fair to talk about “Cultural Appropriation” when someone is intentionally changing their foreign culture for their profit/benefit. Changes done unintentionally can be fixed by “Sharing”, but not so easy when it is done “intentionally” by those with power (here “English” is the power).
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大きな会社とお仕事をすると社会に知って頂ける可能性は増えるのですが、同時に「解釈」も増えてきます。現代では、私達は気をつけないと、「学びたいように学んで」しまいます。それは自由ではなく都合であり、学びとは先ずは知らないことを知るところから始まるのです。牛歩の進みですが、やっぱり一人一人丁寧にお伝えしていくしかないんだろうなと思うのですよ。一緒に「学び」という歩みを進めるほかないのだろうと思います。というか、一緒に学び続けたいのです。
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2023-06-04 22:12:32

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