Sashiko & many other Japanese crafts (Folkart) were discovered in a movement cal

Sashiko & many other Japanese crafts (Folkart) were discovered in a movement called “Mingei Movement”. Mingei is a bit tricky to translate. Among many ways, I enjoy the translation by @roisininglesby at William Morris Gallery – Mingei as Art Without Heros. In my interpretation of this translation, it is Art Without (Specific) Heroes, and I understand everyone as a part of its practice can be considered as Heros – No Heroes can be equal to everyone as Heroes. Of course, those who practiced in that time would never consider themselves as “Heroes”. They are heroes for me (and for us).
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One of my activities is to respect this concept & elevate (change) it with our today’s interpretation. One result is “Unshinkai Jacket”, in which Sashiko artisans who learned Unshin through me contribute their Sashiko to Keiko, and Keiko makes one Jacket on their behalf. A sample is exhibited in William Morris Gallery – so if you are near, you can see it now.
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As a part of the Sashiko Japan Tour, I am doing a similar thing with the participants. I didn’t participate in the previous project because I needed to mail my contribution to Japan – but this time, I have no reasons (excuses) to not to be part of it – so I am working on my part. It is a good way to make samples, too. Can you see the 2 different approaches in this in-progress Sashiko? One with Kasane, the other isn’t – do you see the difference?
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There is nothing wrong with making knots – but that’s not the whole picture of Sashiko. We rarely make knots. To answer the question above, please check @UpcycleStitches for the “Wrong Side” of this Sashiko.
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過去に何度も企画した「運針会プロジェクト」- 運針会でご縁を頂いた方と一緒に何かを作るという企画なのですが、これまで私は参加してきませんでした。「刺し布と刺し布の国際送料が高い」という理由（言い訳）だったのですが、今回同様の企画を、日本に一緒に訪れてくれる刺し子友達8人と一緒に行うことになり、これはまぁ参加した方がいいな…と。残り3ヶ月を切ったので、少し焦り気味に菱青海柄の刺し子です。
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正直お見せするのもどうかと思う出来ですが、これが刺し子そのものを主に据えられていない今の姿です。刺し子の先生と看做されることがある以上、下手で良いとは思ってはいません。ただ同時に、教えている主目的は「上手に刺し子をすること」ではなく、「刺し子を一層楽しんで頂くこと」なので、教える技術そのものにプロとしての自覚があることが一番大切だと思っています。まぁ下手でいい理由にはなりませんが（教え出すと刺し子をする時間は減ってしまうので…）。刺し子には普遍的＆絶対的な答えは存在しません。だからこそ、楽しみ方も一緒にお伝えしていけたらなと思うのです。現在進行形の裏面は@UpcycleStitche に画像を貼りました。
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2024-08-31 15:47:46

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