We, as Sashiko Artisans, have many reasons for the Supplies & Tools we use. We only recommend & sell what we use in our daily lives. The reasons are deeply linked to the Stories we share. Sashiko has been spot-lighted as a way to promote “Sustainability”. I was introduced to another article about “Learning Sustainability from Ancient Japan” type of article. It is great that Sashiko can contribute to the current society. However, by focusing on “today’s value & its sustainability”, too much focus on Sustainability can destroy another side of the Sustainability.
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When I see the discussion on “We gotta save the planet so it is wrong to sell new threads” and linking this opinion to Sashiko. They prioritize “materialistic Sustainability” and ignore the Culture which had been somewhat sustainable (especially before the trend kicked in). These both types of Sustainability can co-exist simultaneously – which is being mindful, try to acknowledge the stories, and balance it.
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There are so many kinds of Sashiko Threads available now. Some are great with many years of productions. The threads we use are, unfortunately, the one which focused too much on “Artisanship” – they do not have any “Global Network” to promote sales. We have to admit the failure of the marketing strategy, but I do not want to give up the threads we use for Sashiko – without these threads, we won’t be able to continue this Cultural Stitching. Please try to use our threads, and be part of “Cultural Sustainability”. Many think that the completion of Sashiko is at the end of stitching – it isn’t. The completion of stitching is the “beginning” of Sashiko, and this thread will help us to keep saying that.
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2024-07-06 01:14:04
I don’t think it’s wrong to sell new threads or other supplies, especially if they’re made by artisanal processes. There is no such thing as truly zero waste, first of all, and second of all, making sashiko threads out of recycled cotton would weaken the thread and defeat the purpose of sashiko. The amount of new, conventional cotton used in sewing and embroidery thread is significantly less than what goes into new clothing every year.
I hope these people attempting to chide crafters and practitioners for buying newly made supplies instead of used learn that cultural preservation is an important part of sustainability.
Your threads are so beautiful and wonderful to work with. I am so glad that my first experience of sashiko was through you and your Domesika course.