Author: atsushijp

(From the previous post) One of the core approach of “Morita Therapy” is “あるがまま (Aru-ga-mama)” which can be translated to “as is / acceptance”. In my learning of psychology, this was an eye-opening moment.
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When we (West) experience illness, we try to remove it from our body as if it is the “enemy”. Yes, it can be harmful to our “comfort level”, but also it is part of us. In Morita’s theory, one goal is to learn how to “accept it to be as is”. Let’s say, instead of trying to “fix” the manic (or panic or depression), we accept it is part of us like a problematic family member. A patient go through 4 stages to reach the goal of “Aru-ga-mama”.
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The core concept of Sashiko isn’t really “あるがまま” – but acceptance is very fundamental philosophy of Sashiko. Some say “Embrace Imperfection in Sashiko” as if Imperfect isn’t complete – in theory, in Japanese Sashiko, we don’t even have to embrace it because it is “as is”. Why do we have to always fight for the “Correct Answer”? What I teach in Sashiko is completely different from what is taught in English – Our Sashiko Starts when they find their own rhythm to accept their stitches. Therefore, we can have so many beautiful & large Sashiko pieces repeatedly.
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Don’t let others define who you are. Don’t allow others to control what is “right” for you. You have already “yourself” within – which can be rough or uncomfortable, but it is a part of you. I hope Sashiko helps you to accept who you really are instead of “trying to be someone else” by following rules & someone’s ideas.
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(I am not a medical/psychological professional. Please do not take any radical action without talking to them) & Live Streaming Tonight.
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「民藝」へのコメント、有難いです。柳宗悦氏の「民藝」の定義には8つの基準があります。これを満たせば民藝だというようなものです。数多ある日本の手仕事の中には、8つ全てではなく一部の基準を満たすものが多かったりして、結果として民藝の定義が主観的になってしまうのかなと思います。そもそも、民の美術なので、解釈が広がるのは自然なことかと思います。
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民藝に関しては数多くの専門家の方が言葉にしていますし、私個人は「”私のしている刺し子”は民藝じゃねーんじゃねーか」とここ15年程思っているので、前のめりで選ぶテーマではなかったりします。勿論、刺し子を民藝とする考え方も理解できるし納得もします。民藝を学ぶことを通して、願わくば、敬愛する白洲正子さん（と次郎さん）の審美眼とその文才に少しでも近づけたらと。ちなみに「民藝って何？」という方は、目黒にある日本民藝館へ一度足を運んで頂き、「雑誌民藝」を購読頂くことをオススメします！私の願いは一つです。英語圏で民藝がMINGEIとなって言葉の一人歩きをしてほしくないという点です。刺し子と同じ轍は踏ませたくないのです。
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#Sashiko #刺し子


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As Sashiko becomes the trend, some exaggerate the word itself. By just looking up the word online, we can find so many “words & concepts” related to Sashiko – like, Recycle, Upcycle, Sustainability, Appreciation (to what we have), Mindfulness, Meditation… you name it. Unfortunately, some of the concepts are misleading about what Sashiko is for someone’s profit. However, at the same time, some of them are very true yet not “verbalized (introduced)” well in a process of Sashiko’s development. One example is the psychological benefit we can get from Sashiko (putting aside that Sashiko “was” a form of stitching for survival).
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My wife is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with Ph.D. She regularly encouraged me to go to the Graduate Program to be Licensed saying I am very talented in Counseling. Interestingly, what I share as my “ordinary” is somewhat eye-opening information to her. I say [don’t consider Sashiko as the “heroic medicine”] – it will not “cure” the issue. However,Sashiko may have something to keep us healthy like how Japanese diets may improve our health. I hope that my stories here become like “Japanese Food” for your healthy diet (although I may not be realizing it).
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As I want to support her, I try to learn “psychology“ as much as I can. Then, I found “Morita Therapy” as a treatment for mental illness in Japan. Its approach resonates with my understanding of Japanese, and I am actively learning the practice & mindset there. Sashiko is NOT a form of treatment or medicine – but I find a lot of similarities in Morita Therapy & Sashiko from the perspective of appreciating Japanese culture. If you are interested, I can elaborate on this story more later on. One principle is to stop “judging” if the illness itself is “bad”. So is Sashiko – your Sashiko will be there when you stop judging your stitches, and what I teach is how NOT to judge the outcome.
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刺し子とはまた別の注目のされ方というか、こちらは日本人の私でも触れるに少々勇気がいるというか、英語圏で日本語そのままで使われている言葉に「民藝」があります。私の勉強不足は否めないし、「刺し子は民藝なの？」という質問には「場合による」という返事で逃げ回ってきているのですが、重い腰を上げる時が来たのかもしれません。勉強せねば。
（一番の勉強方法は日本を回ることなんだよなぁ）。誰か民藝を語りたい人いたら是非、お話を伺わせて下さい！！
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#Sashiko #刺し子


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In the previous Sashiko Live Streaming on 10/26, I received one question: [What is your goal in Sashiko?]. It was in the line of the analogy of climbing the mountain – and it is natural to have this type of question as I said [Money isn’t the goal. It is simply a vehicle to get to the goal]. Some may imagine a huge ambition I have, like creating a big empire of Sashiko. No, I am not interested in any structure to make it big (either empire or a company). Again, the structure/organization is also a vehicle to reach the goal – not the goal itself. So, the goal is pretty simple – to pass down the Sashiko (Stories). More articulately, involving my personal selfish hope, my goal is to leave the Sashiko Story to my daughter, when she may face to her own identity.
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The family I have here in the US is a nuclear family. It concludes with 3 of us, yet we have 3 cultures within: American, Jewish, and Japanese. As our relatives aren’t in the U.S. at all, my wife and I were always in charge of my daughter. As much as it was difficult, I wanted it as my childhood was the opposite – I didn’t have a sense of “family” (which I see on TV often) until I made one here. Not many people have dozens of elderly people whom I considered as “grandma”.
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Again, it wasn’t the best childhood. However, I also realize how privileged (fortunate) I am to receive all of the “Stories” from so many Grandmas. Ideally, as a father, I want my daughter to have something I had. For me, that is the Sashiko Story here. I hope some of you here would be her “Grandma” when she needs a Story to inspire her. Until then, I hope I can be your grandma through this account. That is my goal in Sashiko.
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「お金は手段であって目的ではない（お金はゴールに到達する為の乗り物だ）」なんて偉そうなことを書くもんだから、英語の配信で「刺し子においての淳のゴールは何？」という質問を頂きました。「刺し子を残したい」という一文が答えにはなるのですが、沢山の修飾節が存在します。
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移住先のアメリカで核家族で生活しているのですが、これは昔からの私の憧れでもありました。幼少期に「家族」という単位を感じることがなかった為です。同時に、娘には私達夫婦以外との関係性が薄く申し訳ないなという気持ちでいます。こうやって物語を残すことで、ここにいる方々の誰かが、娘が困った時に話をしてあげるおばあちゃん的な存在になってくれたらなというのが一番の願いです。それまでは私が誰かのおばあちゃんになれたらいいなと。そんな個人的なことが、私の刺し子の一番の目的だったりします
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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Since my childhood, I haven’t considered my Sashiko as “masterpiece” or even “proficient Sashiko”. There are reasons behind my perception of why, but I won’t explain it here as it will be long. Therefore, I call myself Sashiko Story-Teller instead of Sashiko Master. I wasn’t “allowed” to teach Sashiko until 2017, and my whole world is changing in Sashiko. I was okay not to be the “best” in Sashiko, but I may be able to be the best teacher in Sashiko.
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Well, it is difficult to define the “best” in many cases, and so is Sashiko. However, look at this Sashiko done by @na.na_45 – She is one of my very first students, and she has reached this level already. And, she isn’t the only one – I have so many rising Sashiko artisans I would like to support – who surpass me (as a teacher) already.
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Sashiko is still alive – we are trying our best to bring the “Sustainable Sashiko” back. It is true that we can do any “Sashiko” – but please acknowledge the Sashiko in Japan, done by someone who learned Sashiko by the Japanese, and possibly support them & their tools & supplies. I just received the package from Japan with some supplies (finally!), and her Sashiko made my day!
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「お金は目的じゃない。目的に到達する為の乗り物であり手段だ…」と声を高らかに宣言しながら、「もう、物欲はないんだよね」と仙人のようなことを言っていますが、正しくは物欲はあるのです。高級車に乗りたいとか、良い家に住みたいとか、美味しいもの毎日食べたいとかっていう欲はないのです。車は移動ができれば良いし、家は雨風凌げればいいし、理想を言えば工房は欲しいけれど今みたいに台所の横で刺し子するのもありだろうし、美味しいものも自分で作れば良いし（新鮮な魚とかは手に入らないけれど、欲と言えるものでもない。我慢できるから）。
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現実的は無理だけど理想とする欲と、我慢できない欲がそれぞれあります。理想は頻繁に日本に帰りたい。これは移住した身としては現実的に不可能。では、欲がどこに向かっているかというと、「コレクター気質」に集約されます。昔から収集は好きだったのですよ。マイクラとか今でも好きですし。今は「私が好きな刺し子」を集めるのが唯一の物欲だろうと思います。
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運針会を通して気がついたこと。それは「私達の刺し子は再現可能だ」ということ。昔、大きな荷物を背負っていた時、挑戦すらせずに諦めていたことを、全てを失った後に気がつくという皮肉なお話ではあるのですが、それでも子供時代の記憶にある刺し子に近いものに触れられることが嬉しくて、沢山ある好きな刺し子を集めています。こちらは@na.na_45 さんの三つ箱つなぎの刺し子です。「収集して引き出しに入れておくのが刺し子ではない！！」っともう一人の自分からお叱りの声が自分に届きそうですが、でもね、収集して眺めて、そしていつか展示会という場でお披露目したいなぁと思うのです。
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自分が「刺し子で一番になる」ことを目標にしないのは、過去からの経験です。諦めとも言えるし、弁えているとも言えます。私は「それで良い」と思うようになりました。刺し子を教えることで一番になって、そして私を経由して下さった刺し子を好きな方が、刺し子の高みに登ってくれれば嬉しいなと。この三つ箱つなぎは、私の理想の刺し子のほぼ完成形です。裏も綺麗ですから。沢山の方と頂いているご縁。これからも紹介していけたら良いなと思っています。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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Not so often, but I try to “sell” items we make. All hand-stitched with Sashiko, using long-established tools & supplies, and appreciating the fabric we occasionally find in History. As much as I say I wrote honest posts (about Commercial Interest with Sashiko) in the last few days, my intention for this account is to share the Stories – because, unfortunately, there are so many untold (or being Told but not yet being listened) Stories about Sashiko in English. I have another account @upcyclestitches for the financial sustainability (business aspect) of Sashiko.
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Every Sashiko Item we share on this account is “something we stitched”. We occasionally share some photos of Boro – but in 99.9% cases, unless it is noted that we take a photo of someone’s piece, we add stitching somewhere. We stitch, and these stitches carry stories. Sashiko isn’t History, yet. It is an ongoing practice, and therefore it is so important to acknowledge the people behind the words – not someone who uses the word “Sashiko” for their convenience. Sashiko has its own long History, but Sashiko is NOT in the past. Some introduce Sashiko as “Ancient Japanese Stitching Technique”… It isn’t really Ancient, as it is still on-going. Therefore, I share Sashiko “Stories” rather than Sashiko “History”. History is very important to learn what it is – but the whole purpose of learning History is to enrich our “today” – so please be mindful when you learn what Sashiko is from someone who mentions about the “past” of Sashiko.
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You may wonder if I were to have a “hint” to distinguish who is acknowledging the stories or not. Well, unfortunately, there isn’t the easy answer for this, but one thing I can say is that “Sashiko is Stitching Practice” – so I wouldn’t trust anyone who is NOT stitching – yet pretending they know about Sashiko.
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英語での刺し子は「Ancient Technique」と紹介されることがあります。受験英語出身の私はAncientと聞くと「古代の」と翻訳してしまい、勝手にそんなに古くするなよと抵抗感を抱いてしまうのです。別の意味では「古くからの」という継続の意味もあるっぽいので、用法そのものは間違っていないとは思うのですが、ただ、「刺し子は過去ではない」ことはこれからも主張していくべきだと思っています。刺し子において過去から学ぶことは沢山あります。ただ、過去だけに集中すると、今後という未来を担う現代の刺し子を蔑ろにすることに繋がりかねません。まだ、刺し子は歴史として完結するものではないのですよ。配信、沢山お話しすることがあります。忘れないようにメモして頑張りますー！
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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One of the strong wishes I have in sharing Stories here is to remind of the power of imagination. “Reading between lines” is critical to understanding Japanese culture. Imagination helps us to read between lines. So, try to read what is not “written”, instead of reacting to what you think it should be written.
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I often receive criticism about me “selling items in Sashiko” when I talk about “Making Profit in Sashiko”. They say, [You Sell Japanese Culture, too!] as if they found a critical discrepancy… Yes, I proudly sell items! That’s one way to preserve the culture. I have never said it is wrong/bad to make money. In fact, I even encourage others (including non-Japanese) to do so when they acknowledge the culture behind. Money is important – the issue is to “change culture itself” for the profit.
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Back to Mountain Analogy. I never say it is wrong to have a shop on a trail. The issue is that some “mislead” to the one trail saying “This is the only way to get to the top”. I never say items in a shop are wrong. It is a “Simplified Guide” that I consider as an issue. I always recommend my students to try other trails. I never say it is wrong to pursue commercial interest in Sashiko – in fact, I encourage them to do so. In order to taste the clear water & see beautiful flowers in the trail I recommend, one needs to have very specific equipment. That’s what I have in my shop. Some may practice using the tools by themselves to have similar experience, but others would need assistance in learning the way we use. That’s what I teach – so that “everyone” can experience what I love the most on the trail.
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I don’t know why some have an allergic reaction to “Making Money” shouting [You Sell Japanese Culture, too!]. Of course I try. I want to support all artisans who are a part of the Sashiko we practice. Money is a very important vehicle to reach the goal. Please read behind the other’s writing, too. Mindfood: Is Money(Shop) a vehicle (tool) to get to the top/goal? Or, is Money(Shop) itself a goal and “mentioning the trails” is a marketing strategy? You should be able to tell the difference.
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また長なった…。ごめんなさい。配信で語ります＆コメント欄で補足します。
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Another Analogy of what I am trying to say in Sashiko & Climbing Mountains. Thanks to @nathan_plavnick who reminded me of this analogy I once introduced in Japanese.
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People who stand on top of a mountain rarely want to tell others coming up that there’s only one trail. They may show others the trails they enjoyed, but they are just excited that others also want to climb the mountain. Although I think I am standing in the middle of the mountain, I feel very similar to Sashiko. In Sashiko, unfortunately, the people who claim they stand at the top of the mountain tell newcomers which trails are the “answer” to climb up the mountains. There are no “right” trails to go up a mountain. There may be a level of challenge, risk and comfort… but It is one’s preference. Why do they define the right trail for others to follow? It is because the trail they define is convenient to them – there may be shops they own along the trails, and they will lose their money when the people decide to go other trails.
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I share my own favorite trails to others because of many spots I enjoyed. I want you to taste the crystal clear water after the steep climb. I want you to find beautiful wild flowers on the way. Standing on the top of a mountain is one goal, but there are also beautiful places to stop by. Don’t get me wrong. I never say the other rails are wrong. They are probably good things there, too. I am just saying that it is so sad to not experience the clear water & beautiful flowers by following someone’s right trail, which you don’t know if they really are standing at the top of mountains either.
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My teaching of Sashiko is just a beginning. If one claims to be an expert on the mountain, I want them to climb up many times with different routes. I am just a climber who enjoys the process of being on the top, who received training from those standing on the top.
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昔に一度使った刺し子と登山を重ねた例え。今回は英語で書いてみました。日常の中の刺し子なので、こうやって例え話を持ち出すと、イメージだけでも掴んで貰えるのかなとは思っています。英語で書いた登山と刺し子の比喩話、配信で詳しくお話できたらと思っています。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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In 2014, Keiko & I stood up from the sad reality we experienced. In 2017, after the first invitation to teach in NYC & after being a stay at home father for 2+ years, we launched this “Sashiko Story”. As similar to other accounts, this account had single digit numbers followers. Now, we have this many – I share “honest“ stories while trying to be as “difficult” as possible to deliver the message. Therefore, some consider me an Angry person. Sometimes, I receive quite hateful saying/actions. However, as you can read (when you read several posts carefully), the accounts I have are full of my gratitude to you. I will not share any stories if this account brings us only despair. We share everything, yes “Everything” including technique & ideas, for anyone who wishes to learn Sashiko. I even say “Copy It” with no strings attached. It is Because we are hopeful for the future of Sashiko. Many unfollowed this account because they felt uncomfortable. However, I still have so many people who listen to us – we call it hope.
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In 2016, when I uploaded Sashiko videos on Youtube for the first time, there weren’t so many videos about Sashiko on the Internet. Now, we can find quite many videos, and many use similar tools with similar movements I share – this is one outcome of “Sharing Everything”. Not many state the source of their learning, but I believe the impact on our videos are quite huge. Back in 2016, some friends who cared for me very much advised me not to share everything – as I would lose an important source of our future income. Well, maybe I lost it. However, I gained & am gaining more important things – 80K followers & (future) Sashiko Friends here who are the part of the hopeful Sashiko feature.
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When I lost my father, my goal shifted to “preserve Sashiko” rather than “protect family“. I believe that’s what he tried to do, too. Thank you for being here – and I will never stop sharing as it is my life mission.
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数人のフォロワーさんから始まった私等の物語も、8万もの方にご覧頂けるようになりました。日々のフォロワーの減り方も半端ないので（笑）、本気で刺し子を学ぼうとして下さっている方々が大多数なのだと思っています。全てを、技術も知識も含めて公開することで失くすものを心配してくださった方もいました。実際に失くしたものもあります。でも、素敵なご縁が刺し子の未来の礎であり、それ以外は瑣末なものなのですよ。有難いことです。（写真はそんな皆様との作品です）
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(Photo of the same piece from the previous post). As the disrespectful comment I received, [Atsushi isn’t well respected in Japan] includes our Sashiko Friends in Japan, I had a beautiful opportunity to talk about “me” and “what I do” in Sashiko with them. It was good to know how they think of me – I acquire their respect for me, and more importantly, they do NOT have blind faith in me. We are very balanced, and it is very important when we share the Culture. Our goal is to pass down the culture, not to make a cult.
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This may be yet a strong statement: While I was talking to my Sashiko friends in Japan, I realized that I may be the very first Sashiko Artisan who can speak English without translation. I know Japanese people with (English) Language Proficiency start teaching Sashiko in their career, but not like they practiced Sashiko first, and then learned English later. For that, I have quite a unique background.
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As Sashiko is deeply related to Japanese Culture, “the Translation” tends to be a process of simplification. How so? Because what we talk about Sashiko in Japanese is already someone’s interpretation of Sashiko & its practice. So when it is introduced in English, the piece of information you read is someone’s interpretation on the translation of a Japanese’s interpretation. Of course, it will be simplified. It is like a telephone game. Therefore, it is important to share “Stories” – not only the information. I am seeing how a piece of information transit – and one day, I want to explain that as well.
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昨晩の配信、思いっきり話をすることができて、胸を撫で下ろしています。怒りを感じることも多いし、それがストレスになってしまうことも多々あるのですが、こうして「話せている間」はまず大丈夫だからです。これが話せなくなってしまうと気をつけなきゃいけない。
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今の英語圏での刺し子は、「日本人が解釈した刺し子を、刺し子に親しみがないかもしれない翻訳のプロ（あるいは素人）が英語に翻訳し、それを再度解釈したもの」であると考えると、諸々の違和感に説明ができるなと思うのです。そういう意味では、「日本人が解釈した刺し子」を日本語と英語でそのままの形で発信していくことは、とても意味があることなんだろうなと思っています。これからも頑張りますー！
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#Sashiko #刺し子


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As you enjoyed the previous analogy… Here is the following (Please read the previous post first).
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Your family’s tradition has its own way to cut veggies to best match the Ranch dressing you make. It doesn’t mean, though, there is only one way to choose cut veggies. Dipping uncut carrots is also okay. The point is “how to enjoy Salad”. Where you immigrated, interestingly, there are “the rules” on how to cut the veggies. It has to be the thickness of an iphone. Sure, it is good to have rules, but you wonder which iPhone’s thickness?SE or 14 pro?
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You have your own way to cut veggies. You can call it rules certainly. However, it isn’t something to force others who just wish to enjoy Salad. When they want to look for another way to enjoy Salad, then they can learn more from you. So, you say, “There is no right and wrong in Salad”. Also, you say, “The Salad you define is indeed Salad – but that’s not the all about Salad”. It is fine to love only One type of Salad. However, it is NOT okay to ignore other Salad, and to mislead people to focus on the Salad they define. You find it silly to comment on each rule you see, though. Sure, following the rules can be easy, but not in your style. Therefore, all you do is to set up a place where anyone can learn “other forms of Salad” from people who enjoy various salads. Over years, your voice gets bigger as many enjoy Ranch a lot. Some mention your name saying “His Ranch is awesome – it is from Ranch Artisans family”. You appreciate the new friends caring for the upstream of your Ranch — and then, you find a comment, “Oh, he (Ranch) isn’t well respected in his country” by someone who doesn’t speak your language.
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I find it is NOT just negativity. It is a more fundamental cultural issue. No worries. I am okay. I keep speaking up as a Japanese person who loves Sashiko in Japan. Sashiko isn’t a solution for our social concerns as Salad itself won’t heal an illness. Sashiko will just make us healthy (and that’s good!).
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また長っ。配信はYoutubeにて。金曜夜9:40頃開始です。リンクはプロフィールから。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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