I write stories based on my memories, so it isn’t much about “my opinions”. At the same time, in order to explain the memories logically, I learn around my memories & why’s. The more I learn, the more I realize how much Japanese & American are different in culture/mindset. (I…
Tag: InVisibleMeniding
@SashikoStory
In my understanding, a majority of western people believe in monotheism such as
In my understanding, a majority of western people believe in monotheism such as Christianity. In Monotheism, there is only one God. God makes what is right. God forgive them. It is understandable that western people naturally expect to ask what is “Right”. It is ordinary. ☆ The Japanese who practiced…
@SashikoStory
Sashiko and Boro. For some reason, many people think that Sashiko and Boro are t
Sashiko and Boro. For some reason, many people think that Sashiko and Boro are two separate techniques in Japanese stitching. I have been sharing what these words mean to us on SNS, Youtube, and my website since 2015. You probably know it already, but let me rephrase it again. ☆…
@SashikoStory
In my understanding, the Japanese once chose to discontinue Sashiko. Many years
In my understanding, the Japanese once chose to discontinue Sashiko. Many years ago, they stitched out of their necessity for survival. It is natural to put Sashiko behind when they obtained some wealth (It is different in the northern part of Japan known for Kogin, Hishizashi, and such). Most of…
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My father often Sashiko stitched Heart Sutra. His back while stitching remained
My father often Sashiko stitched Heart Sutra. His back while stitching remained vividly in my memory – a needle on the Indigo fabric, a white smoke from a cigarette, and each character from Sutra. ☆ Sashiko existed in the ordinary. The ordinary has their “ordinary” stories, each region, each family,…
@SashikoStory
A few months ago, NYT Magazine wrote a column from the interview with me. I sha
A few months ago, NYT Magazine wrote a column from the interview with me. I shared how I would “mend” items. I thought it would be easier to show the process in addition to my interview. The pants with Sashiko mending are completed after 10 hours or so of stitching….
@SashikoStory
Some say that Boro’s beauty is made at random. The Japanese patchworked the torn
Some say that Boro’s beauty is made at random. The Japanese patchworked the torn & damaged fabric at random, and therefore it is beautiful. I do not believe in this “beauty at random” as I had been saying since 2012 or so. It is true that the Japanese had limited…
@SashikoStory
I have been sharing a lot in the past few years. A post once a day. Still I have
I have been sharing a lot in the past few years. A post once a day. Still I have a lot more to share. Everyone has a different “opinion”. I am not expecting everyone to be on the same page. At the same time, I have a strong preference in…
@SashikoStory
“Boro (襤褸)” in Japanese has several meanings. It can be a used & worn piece of f
“Boro (襤褸)” in Japanese has several meanings. It can be a used & worn piece of fabric, as you know. Boro can mean “Horse droppings”, and it can be Onomatopoeia. Each meaning has a sense of “dirty” and “poor”. Some of the Sashiko artisans I knew never wanted to touch…
@SashikoStory
The word “Boro (襤褸）” is often misinterpreted (mis-translated) in English. I shar
The word “Boro (襤褸）” is often misinterpreted (mis-translated) in English. I share many stories about Boro here and there. One critical message is that “Boro” never becomes a verb in Japanese. ☆ Not so long ago, dealers redefined the value of Boro. Today, “Boro” became a very expensive piece of…