I say there is no such a thing as “Right or Wrong” in Sashiko. There are no rules for the size of stitches. It is ridiculous to judge someone’s stitches that they have to be the size of rice grains (The size of Rice Grain can be a benchmark to aim to, but not a rule one must follow). I teach Sashiko based on the same philosophy, and I enjoy seeing many people finding their own rules after learning the “Form” and “Rhythm”. However, it doesn’t mean that we have no pride. I have sincere respects to those who had spent their entire lives in Sashiko – and their stitches “happened to be” small & even. Stitching evenly with small stitches isn’t the rule, but I want it to be a goal/aim for Sashiko practitioners. For those who teach, it is one important qualification to have.
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Again, there are no rules to follow, and no right or wrong. It is all about preference, and interestingly, those “preferences” developed the culture. For that, the Sashiko in English is changing its forms very differently from the one I try to pass down. One day, unfortunately, we may have to distinguish 2 different style of stitching saying “Japanese Sashiko” and “Western Sashiko” – that’s how wide the trend is dividing the culture itself.
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Anyone can/should embrace their own stitches. However, it is very important to acknowledge that embracing the imperfection is not the Core of Sashiko. In this context, “Pride” represents Sashiko much better than “Imperfection”. When you learn Sashiko, please be mindful whom you are learning Sashiko from – the Sashiko introduced in English is greatly simplified and romanticized.
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「針目の揃う刺し子、揃わない刺し子」という先週の配信テーマには、しっかりとした結論を頂きました。「揃”わ”ないのと揃”え”ない」の違いで、残念ながら英語圏の刺し子は「揃”え”ない刺し子」を押し出して教えている人もいるというお話。
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針目の大きさや揃っているかに正解や間違いはありませんが、好みは存在します。細かい針目＆揃っている針目が綺麗とされるのは、美意識もそうですが、刺し手の「誇り」でもあるからです。先人の誇りを感じるから文化を守ろうと思えるし、その誇りに少しでも近づく為に努力をし、また尊敬の念を覚える。そんな尊い過程を吹っ飛ばすような行為はやっぱり許せないのです。今週も同じような話になるかもしれませんが、また配信頑張りますー！
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2023-09-28 22:17:05
揃わないから、揃えたい。
揃えたいけど、心地よく刺したい。
There are many types and sizes of rice 😉 Pusa Basmati is the longest, especially after cooking 🤣 the importance of one’s intention cannot be overstated
I agree about there being Japanese Sashiko & American Sashiko. There is a reason some are called “masters”. Although Sashiko looks beautiful on anyone, on people of Japanese descent it has a look of belonging.
I listened to last Thursday night’s recording on this topic. Thank you for the discussions. I appreciate your dedication and feel that my understanding is growing.
Thank you for raising such good points about sashiko. I like your emphasis on raising sashiko to be considered as a proper embroidery technique here in the west not just a way of mending & repairing. When taken to be a skilled work by artisans, the beauty of the techique can shine and its origins are just a footnote in it’s history.
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I am really looking forward to meeting and learning from you in your in-person workshop next week. I want to learn the Form and Rhythm. I have goals!