How I restarted Sashiko Journey

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Instagram Archive of “Restarted Sashiko”

About 10 years ago, soon after I immigrated, I received an email from my mother Keiko. She asked me if I were willing to “restart” the Sashiko. I don’t talk about the past so often outside of the workshops, but as you may guess by reading “restart”, our Sashiko once “ceased” its tradition – at least, there were days that we tried to distance ourselves from Sashiko. This is one reason I say Sashiko is more than just a trend – it is part of our lives, and identity.
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The photo is a Jacket Keiko made around the time we “restarted”. Ever since, we kept making quite many Jackets, Tapestries, and more with much help from other Sashiko Artisans. We hope to continue making them… but it requires stability in “Cultural Sustainability”.
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I understand that the “Trend” focuses on the “Fun Part” of Sashiko, and ignores the rest. When Sashiko becomes a hobby or entertainment, I understand that the goal is to just have fun. There is nothing wrong with the trend, but the trend can never describe the whole picture of its practice as some Sashiko Teachers are simplifying, minimizing, and yet romanticizing. Please help us to keep this Sashiko going. Please support Sashiko Artisans who can make this type of Pieces (in Japan). I share & offer everything we have & use – all I ask is the acknowledgement, and hopefully, a choice to preserve the culture from Cherry Picking done by non-Japanese self-titled Masters.
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刺し子から一度距離を置いて、でもその距離が苦しかった恵子さんから連絡を受けて刺し子を再開して…信じられない気持ちでいっぱいなのですが、そんな「ゼロ」の段階から、もう既に10年以上が経っているんだなぁと。当時は手探りで何をしていいかすらわからない日々でしたが、当時から刺し子をすることだけは続けていて、この野良着もそんな当時の一枚だったりします。もう既に違う誰かの手元に渡った作品です。
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沢山の素敵なご縁を頂いて、10年前では考えられなかった刺し子を今見ています。と同時に、暗中模索の中で足掻いてきた中で生まれた「歪み」みたいなものも感じています。ずーっと、そして今も必死ですから。意図する通りに伝われば、それは運針会のような素晴らしい居場所になるのですが、現代のネット社会に置いて言葉や思い、技術すらも切り取られることは承知しておかなけれないけないことで。だからこそ、本物と本質をしっかりと伝え、残し続けたいと思うのです。配信での話は常に、愚直にですが真剣に刺し子に向き合っている一人の言葉として残したいと思って続けています。気楽に聞いて頂けるために笑いを意識しながら。
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2024-07-31 01:51:17

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Restarted Sashiko

About ten years ago, not long after I immigrated, I received an unexpected email from my mother, Keiko. She asked me if I was willing to “restart” our family’s Sashiko tradition. To many, this might seem like an ordinary question, but it carried profound significance for us. For a long time, our family had distanced itself from Sashiko, a practice that had been passed down through generations. The word “restart” implied that our cherished tradition had once “ceased,” or at least that there were periods when we felt disconnected from it. This is one of the reasons I often say Sashiko is more than just a fleeting trend—it is a deeply ingrained part of our lives and identity.

To truly understand why my mother’s question was so impactful, you need to understand the role Sashiko has played in our lives. Sashiko is not just a craft or a skill; it is an expression of our cultural heritage, a link to our ancestors, and a way of life. Growing up, Sashiko was woven into the fabric of our daily lives. We saw it not only as a method of stitching but also as a philosophy of patience, resilience, and beauty in imperfection. There were times, however, when the weight of this heritage felt too heavy to bear, and we drifted away from our roots.

The photograph you see is of a jacket that Keiko made around the time we decided to “restart” our journey with Sashiko. That jacket represents a new beginning, a conscious choice to reconnect with our past and embrace the art that defines us. Since that pivotal moment, we have continued to create many more jackets, tapestries, and various Sashiko pieces, each one a labor of love and a tribute to our heritage. We have been fortunate to have the support of other skilled Sashiko artisans, who share our passion and dedication. Together, we hope to keep making these beautiful items, but this effort requires more than just skill—it demands a commitment to what we call “cultural sustainability.”

In recent years, Sashiko has gained popularity outside of Japan, often being portrayed as a fun and trendy hobby. I understand the appeal of focusing on the enjoyable aspects of Sashiko—after all, there is a certain joy in the rhythmic, meditative process of stitching. When Sashiko is treated as a hobby or a form of entertainment, the goal is simply to have fun, and there is certainly nothing wrong with that. However, this trend-driven approach can never capture the full picture of what Sashiko truly represents. Some Sashiko teachers, particularly those outside of Japan, have simplified, minimized, and even romanticized the practice, presenting a version that is easy to digest but stripped of its deeper meanings and cultural roots.

This simplification concerns me because it risks eroding the rich history and cultural significance of Sashiko. When the focus is solely on the “fun part,” we lose sight of the craft’s origins and the values it embodies. Sashiko is more than just a technique; it is a living tradition that carries stories of hardship, survival, and community. Each stitch tells a story, and each piece is a testament to the resilience of those who came before us.

That is why I am asking for your help to keep the true spirit of Sashiko alive. We need your support to ensure that Sashiko does not become just another passing fad but remains a respected and preserved art form. Please consider supporting Sashiko artisans, particularly those in Japan, who are dedicated to maintaining the authenticity and integrity of this traditional craft. I am committed to sharing everything we know and use in our practice, from tools and materials to techniques and philosophies. All I ask in return is for acknowledgment of the culture and, hopefully, a commitment to preserve it in its entirety.

We must be mindful of the cherry-picking approach that some non-Japanese, self-titled masters have adopted. These individuals often select only the parts of Sashiko that appeal to them, ignoring the depth and richness of the tradition. By doing so, they risk distorting and diluting the essence of Sashiko. Let us instead choose to honor the full, authentic tradition of Sashiko, embracing both its beauty and its challenges. Together, we can ensure that this cultural heritage continues to thrive for future generations, preserving its true spirit and meaning.