I sincerely appreciate the comments in the 2 previous posts (besides those from who didn’t read what I wrote). I am nowhere to criticize anyone in racism. “All ◯◯ is racist” doesn’t sit with me well (yet). However, I acknowledged it. I won’t jump into defensive mode even when someone says “All Japanese are racists”, because it could be in a structure (not personal). I need to educate myself continuously.
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After all, I am just a Sashiko artisan who happened to be born in a Sashiko family (like it or not). I can only speak for the Sashiko we practice. I shared the racism issue only because 2 extreme incidents happened in the same day. Please accept my apology if I hurt anyone’s feeling. I am still learning about what is going on in this world. As for Sashiko, I have strong messages.
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As I have been saying, “I do not consider Sashiko as Art” (yet). I know many would disagree. However, I have reasons for this statement. Some probably only look at one side of Sashiko they want to. It is perfectly fine to interpret Sashiko as they wish, but I want them to be mindful that “the understanding may be insufficient”. I like to be positive, but I do not want to be positive with ignoring someone’s pain. I humbly accept the praise stating “Your Sashiko is the Art”. However, I want them to avoid using the word “Art” as an excuse to not to learn/acknowledge it. I respect Art. However, if saying “Sashiko is Art” would justify a person to ignore (knowing, yet ignore) the voices, then I need to speak up. Please learn before celebrating something that shouldn’t be celebrated (like “Food on Boro” discussion before). I am just asking them to take off their shoes when they are willing to visit a Japanese house.
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ここ数日の投稿、実は”人種差別とは”というテーマでした。日本にいたら考えなかった事です。でも、刺し子とリンクした人がいるので、話す必要がありました。日本語に訳すと「ん？」となる内容なので、丁寧にブログか配信かで説明したいです。極論を言うと、「家に上がる時は靴脱いでくださいね」っていう、日本では暗黙の了解に、「なんで？自由じゃね？」という論理の上で、「靴脱がないのも進化でしょ！」って言われると、うーんとなるわけです。じゃー日本の家は訪れちゃ駄目だぞっと言っておかないと。まとめると雑になりますね。丁寧に話します！
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2021-01-07 11:12:29
Oh I love learning new Japanese words and phrases! I love that I can learn new vocabulary having to do with sashiko!
This work is truly amazing 😍👏👏👏
No need to apologise. You don’t owe any one an explanation of your feelings. Love your work. Would love to collaborate with you with my string theory motif❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
A thought about pain in sashiko and boro: I’m remembering a picture you shared previously of historical boro in a museum. The figure in the picture is wearing tattered rags that are held together by only the sashiko stitching. It’s as if the only thing keeping him warm and clothed is the care and time that someone put into that mending. I think that level of poverty and necessity of extreme mending is hard to imagine for people such as myself who have not had to do more mending than darning a few socks and replacing buttons.
Preciosos bordados
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It is a wonderful thing to see artful creativity in the everyday. The “craft vs art” dilemma has been around for as long as we have tried to compartmentalize works of our hands and hearts. Your perspective has challenged me to think about things from some different viewpoints. I may not agree with all that you present but I do pause and consider and if I don’t agree I put it away and re-examine later. Quite often when revisiting I can see that my opinions have changed. And if not…. small matter… we all have some different ways of processing life.
If you plan to visit Hawaii, look me up please!! Would love to sit on the beach under a coconut tree and stitch with you
Thanks. Thought-provoking again. And beautiful Sashiko front and back.
You don’t owe anyone any explanations. But I would offer you to think of the premises – the idea that someone is racist because of the color of their skin is inherently a discriminatory line of thinking. Most people understand two wrongs do not make a right. Do not bend to people on social media telling you that you should think one way or the other. Extremism is a cancer, and no part of the political spectrum owns it. It can come from anywhere.
All people are racist. Your nationality, family heritage, antiquity cultural background, color of skin is of no importance or concern. I suggest you educate yourself and read How to Be an Anti Racist by Ibram X Kendi. We are all trying to find a place where we belong and feel a connection. If sashiko, boro, kantha, hand embroidery, appliqué, knitting…..brings one happiness and peace they should not be chastised.
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Thanks for sharing that perfect back. 👍👍 but what about ends? Are they just hanging loose? Or u make them stay with stitching over them or something..?