How do you describe the Japanese culture (people)? “Hard-working”, “Polite”, “shy”, “Collectivism”… these words are reasonable to understand. However, please know that the descriptions can be the projections from non-Japanese culture – the words do not describe not the whole picture (essence) of Japanese culture/people. Please learn “why” the Japanese receive such descriptions. For example, there are many reasons why Japanese are described as “hard-working” – please think why Japanese work so hard. There are always “reasons” when we talk about the culture. If one cannot explain one reason, then they do not know it fully. The similar thing goes to Sashiko. When one says “whatever” in Sashiko, it isn’t a sign of acceptance – it’s a lack of knowledge.
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What I share is a challenge to question a selfish projection in Sashiko. I know no artisans, in my memory, who thought of Sashiko as the Art form. I humbly accept the admiration of Sashiko as the Art. However, saying “Sashiko is such a beautiful Art (and therefore I can do whatever I want)” without trying to understand the stories behind the word is selfish (suppressive) action from a privileged majority. The Japanese do not speak up so often. However, it doesn’t mean that we do not have words. As the one who is approaching the issue of Cultural Appropriation from the other side, it is my challenge to question the trend: What do you think of people who push their “normal” to define foreign culture/word, with shouting “this is it”? Sashiko is more than what they think they know.
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昨日、日系の方の日本文化に対する想いの一部を紹介しました。最近頂いたアドバイスでなるほどなと思ったのが、「貴方が日系という立ち位置に近くなっている」というものです。日本に住む日本人という、ある意味で完結している場所から、米国文化圏内に住む日本人という、「文化について考えざるをえない」場所にきているんだなぁと。日本をルーツに持つ日系米国人の方々と、米国文化を学ぼうとする日本人の自分。同じ問題の裏表をみるような感じで学べているのは、大変嬉しいなと思うのです。娘は日系米国人なので、彼女がいつか苦しみと向き合わなければ行けない時、少しでも力になれたらと思うのですよ。
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2021-01-30 09:56:57
Forgive my ignorance,I’m learning,believed sashiko is mending? Making use of the old(something the working class in every culture has done for eons)transforming into something new
I remembered the first time I practice sumi-e. I used to do watercolor and used to think that sumi-e something similar and easy to do. When my sumi-e teacher started the lesson and I started, I felt that sumi-e was difficult and I was arrogant. People tend to think simple about things. Internet and crafts seem anything is possible and affordable, Liberalism and global. But certain things can be used as simple hobby commercial cratfs. 🙌
日本にいると日常すぎるせいか、恥ずかしながら文化について考えることがありまはせんでした。刺し子を初めてから少し意識するようになりました
Can’t be used* sorry my phone corrector
Same situation if you are Native American. Deep connections to a culture people can’t always understand. Note African Americans have also contributed many many customs to the American culture they don’t get recognized for. Keep your, heart, hands, head, and eyes open!
日本を出て初めて感じる日本の良さ(政治はね〜)
刺し子もそうだけれど
古い寺院の建物、日本の工芸品
時代を生き延びてきた古いものたち、いろいろ外にでると日本の良さ、日本文化、日本人である事
考えます
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Thank you for educating the ignorant ⭐️
😮❤️
some time ago, talking to a Japanese friend about the fact that it is strange for us (Italians) that the Japanese work a lot, he said to me: see Serena, for us to work is not as for you Christians a GOD’s CURSE and I told him right
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✔️👌✔️👌✔️✔️✔️👌
Refined
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and perceptions. I borrowed your example in a conversation with my brother about cultural differences and it makes sense for us that are Japanese descendants in Brazil.
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