[We Cannot Reverse. However, We Can Pause, and PIVOT]. I cannot believe myself saying it, but I now want to “stop” the popularity of “Sashiko”. 15 years ago, I worked so hard to make Sashiko a “trend” so more people will have a chance to get to know this interesting practice. Now, the trend itself is leaving many “Japanese Sashiko Masters” behind as the trend is led by “someone who advertises themselves as masters to make profit”. When a trend occurs, more “money making opportunities” arise. Then, media/mass-production (big companies) will control the trend – unfortunately, in this case, most of the big companies aren’t acknowledging the people behind the words. I wonder how many people who sell Sashiko supplies or who teach Sashiko actually “stitch”. Not many, I presume. Who has the bravery to offer “Sashiko Stitching Live Streaming” with no editing & no secrets?
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I understand that “we” all want the answer “now”. We are so used to instant gratification (the Internet always gives us “some” answers). The course on Domestika is my version of a “simple” answer about Sashiko. It is great entertainment, yet it is “introductory”. The most important element of Sashiko can be learned by “watching, copying, and trying”. It can take years because western mindset often becomes an obstacle… so I offer guidance as Workshop/Online Class so called [Core & Essence].
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Design and Techniques are one aspect of Sashiko. They are an important part of the Sashiko, but Design & Technique do not define what Sashiko is. Whatever we do in Sashiko, there are stories (reasons) behind it. A teaching “making knots in Sashiko” ignores a story of “Japanese with no choice but with wisdom”. They are erasing the culture – stories & people behind – simply because they are born in an “English Speaking Country”. Culture should change – I just want the change to be “Fair”.
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文化は変化します。「伝統」は「伝承された技術」を元に変化し続けることで、「伝統文化」とはより良い形を求めて、且つ伝承に敬意を払いつつ進化する文化のことです。文化とは何か。雑な纏めですが、文化は「当たり前（日常）の集合値」です。どんな変化であれ、必ず「元の形」は存在します。変化前の姿を蔑ろにしては、変化そのものが曖昧になってしまう。やっぱり「伝統」とは尊いものだなと思うのです。
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2023-07-04 23:00:55
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Sadly, this problem is not unique to Sashiko. There is an entire infrastructure and formula already established. Defeating it is an impossible task.
I think the most effective measure is accessibility. Having resources available for the hand and the mind.
To that end, maybe search for grants and scholars?
I don’t know how extensive the literature is in Japanese, but having translations made could be a good step toward opening it up.
I guess, I hope you don’t try to shoulder this on your own. Partner if you can.
Watching your Domestika class gave me an interesting (at least to me) realization that Sashiko was not merely a decorative art but rather a purpose MADE artistic.
A living Sashiko map would be one way to honor the original voices and hands, even if they have passed, by documenting their work left behind or that they are still creating. Associating the form/art with the location is one way that Indigenous/Native American cultures differ from Western cultures. Place and location is key. The varieties, the people, the culture, and the methods of Sashiko seem all to be tied to location and a place in time. If you are able to “map” that out, it remains tied to the stories, cultures, and places they came from. There’s a university working on a living map of the Tokkaido Road system and the stories, cultures, and history of the cities along it. The idea could be applied to Sashiko as a way to be a source of knowledge and wisdom for others. There will always be those profiting and not repaying or pointing back to the heart of what they profit from. We can balance that with technology, audience, and education. ❤️
My mum has taken to tagging me in every sashiko course advertisement she sees so I can tell them off for not having someone Japanese teach it 😂 I understand that some people in majority white areas like mine want to be taught in person but it is simply not our place to teach it and I wish more people understood that.
gorgeous work
Escribo en castellano, pues me toca profundamente tu reflexión. Cuando la cultura, el sentido y el Alma de un pueblo se transforman en moda, especialmente en estos días de consumo infinito, solo resta esperar que la moda pase y los elementos propios de la cultura puedan volver a su lugar. Desde afuera, solo podemos vislumbrar una pequeña parte de lo que el arte de un pueblo significa para ese pueblo, y que es lo que finalmente le da contenido y valor. Aprecio enormemente tu generosidad al compartir con el resto de las personas, esta bellísima forma de artesanía, no solo técnica y maestría, sino valor y sentido. Muchas gracias!
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Que hermoso!…una obra de arte!😍😍😍
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Beautiful!!!
Very beautiful jacket
There is a college in my town that teaches week long handicraft classes every summer. It is called “common ground on the hill” and the goal is to appreciate and admire and learn these skills from different communities. Would you ever consider teaching in person at an event like that?
I’m so sorry. As many have said above, this misappropriation is more common than it should be. #onelove
Amazing 😍