It is beyond my imagination (which I think I have quite a sizable imagination) that the word “Sashiko” has become so popular in the world. The speed of popularity is so fast that Sashiko has been so simplified from what it is (& used to be) in Japan. In SNS Groups, via Hashtags, on Youtube, we can find so many “Sashiko”… I am part of several groups & I myself upload videos, yet “Sashiko in English” is something different (substantially simplified) from 刺し子. As the result, I occasionally use the word “Japanese Sashiko” to describe what I do… and I find it very sad to say so. Sashiko is a Japanese word, and it has become something else from my memory and my identity.
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Some of you may ask what is the “difference” between [Sashiko in English] & [Japanese Sashiko]. Unfortunately, we do not have a paragraph to define the difference. By observing many Sashiko Artisans’ activities (both Japanese & Non-Japanese), I am starting to figure out that the only way to learn the difference is to learn how to stitch like us. If you are really serious in learning the difference, please consider taking my Sashiko Class – especially the one [Core & Essence].
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I guess I am “repainting (Reviving)” the Sashiko which got overpainted by another color (value). Therefore, it takes much more energy than just introducing Sashiko to the world. Some say “I understand Sashiko well” in English. Interestingly, I have never met any Japanese who say they understand Sashiko well. We don’t have the definitive answer for the whole picture of What Sashiko is – and therefore, “learning how to learn” is very important.
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今年に入ってから、ずーっと考え続けていることがあります。それは「どのように、今、様々な刺し子と真摯に向き合っている人達をサポートすることができるだろうか」ということです。刺し子に答えはありませんが、大切にしたいものはきっとそれぞれ存在して、私自身も大切にしたいものがあります。その大切にしたいものを応援し続けることが願いなのですが、何をしたら良いのかが具体的に掴めず、思考を四方八方に飛ばし続けておりました。
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まだ迷ってはいるのですが、最初の思いつきが一番答えに近いんだろうと思います。それは「一人でも運針を楽しむ人を増やすこと」です。その為には「運針ができる人」になってもらう必要があります。って偉そうに書いていますが、刺し子の本質は日常の営みの中に存在します。つまりは運針は「できて当たり前」の技術だった時代もあるはずです。なので、型や向き合い方を覚えれば「誰でもできる」ものなのです。マジで。
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今年は積極的に運針会を行おうと思っています。3月と4月も開催します。詳細は「運針会」でGoogle 検索頂くと sashico.com 上での記事に辿り着いて頂けると思います。是非ご参加頂けたら嬉しいです！
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2024-03-07 12:38:05
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I see Sashiko and other traditions coming from other cultures right after their introduction into the Western cultures as a balloon that is being released (oversimplified somewhat).
Once it’s released and is out of our reach, it’s hard to control the narratives.
It can never longer stay what it once was in the place of birth.
It could become something else. The first wave often muddles the original meaning. But something different will emerge. I also suspect Sashiko in Japan will change as well, might also be the the result of its travel around the world and coming home. Who knows what it will be. But if cannot always be just that, the one your parents and even you saw and experienced as a child.
I underhand the will to control the narrative connected to one’s cultural heritage. I don’t think it’s possible in this time and age of the Internet.
運針できるようになりたいです🙏
I have your class from Domestika, is that the same as the Core Essence class…or is there a second online class somewhere that I missed? In person classes are out of the question for me since I’m in Canada, but if there is more online classes that I missed I would definitely purchase them and learn more from you!
I make sure to properly educate as many that i can on the proper usage of the word Sashiko, as well as Boro. Americans get the 2 confused often. It is cause of your page and care that i continue the same care for the craft. 🤝🏼