Author: atsushijp

Continued from the previous post, I occasionally wonder what “Sashiko” can offer to you here. What I share is so ordinary to me that it takes some time to realize the significance of it. My last 6 years in Sashiko in English was like that. In 2016, no videos/description about “how to use the thimble & needle” was available online, and I didn’t even think of teaching it because I thought that was something a majority could do – like swimming and riding a bicycle. Don’t get me wrong. Those who do not swim have other abilities than others don’t. I have Sashiko… yet I suck at many other things like Marine Sports (I wish I could do… but paddling board was a nightmare to me…).
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[No Right or Wrong] is one thing. A majority of People who encounter Sashiko believe the “rules” someone (often non-Japanese) made. It is funny to say, but you here are kind of a “minority” in Sashiko. In a number of Social Groups online, some ask questions, and others answer it as if they are the experts…. However, I learned how to keep a distance from this hassle. As many advise here, I would like to focus on you here, who are willing to listen. I hope this “minority” becomes the “majority” – then I believe “Japanese Sashiko” will be preserved.
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Thinking of what I can offer throughout Sashiko can be a good foundation of books I may write in future. I have received so many stories from elderly Japanese Sashiko Artisans who lived out their lives. I have been sharing many stories, and you may have a specific one you like. It would be a nice time for me to think & stitch in this winter… with appreciating those who support us directly (Patreon/Shopping from us) and indirectly (spreading words). Thanks to them/you, I can enjoy time with my family while stitching & thinking.
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今週はアメリカでは感謝祭という祝日で、おかげさまで今年も家族と一緒の時間を過ごせそうです。妻は働いてますけれど。木曜日当日夜の英語の配信はもしかしたら中止としてしまうかもしれませんが、金曜日の日本語配信は大丈夫なはずです。何についての配信にしようか、正直頭が空っぽです（笑）刺し子をしすぎてリハビリとして仕事をしている（？）状況のせいかもですが、こうして仕事を詰め込まなくても生活ができている日々に感謝しつつ、その日々を面倒にするために「感謝」について語るのもありだなーと書きながら思ったりしています。語るテーマのリクエスト、随時募集しておりますのでー。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子。


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Do you have an ideal image that you want to imitate? Do you set clear standards when you make a decision to copy what your “ideal image” would do? Some may list renowned & famous successful people. Others may mention a character in movies (like Dwight from the Office). For me, since I had become “independent”, I have one clear image that I am always chasing. I keep saying it here and there… it is the saying: [I am trying to be someone whom I wanted to meet when I was a child].
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I had a pretty rough childhood. I thought that there was no way out when I faced the harsh reality. I wanted to “meet” someone who could “salvage me up”, yet my surroundings were way closed. It looked shiny outside. Inside, not so much. I soaked myself in books to find “someone” instead of looking for someone outside. Naturally, the accumulation of reading “created” the ideal image of whom I wanted to meet in my childhood. Now, I want to be the “someone” to whoever feeling the same way as I did when I needed great help.
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This goal hasn’t changed at all, yet my mindset has changed a bit. I thought I had to be “powerful (successful)” to be “the someone” who can help others. In fact, I can be someone’s help by sharing what I have received: Sashiko. Therefore, I am here, wishing that my words, our Sashiko, and how we approach reality via stitching can be someone’s help. Sashiko is merely “stitching”. For a majority, it is no more than a “hobby”. However, I hope they realize that there are “people who spent all of their lives in Sashiko”.
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先日19日は、妻の誕生日でした。日々妻に似てくる娘と3人で誕生日を祝いつつ、「お母さんのようになりたい」という言葉の最高のプレゼントが飛び出すという、素敵な1日を過ごすことができました。「なりたい誰か」はきっと誰にも存在していて、それは著名人だったり、何かのキャラクターだったり、身近にいる尊敬する人だったり。日々の判断基準がこの「誰か」に準えている人は、やっぱり芯があってカッコいいなと思います。
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私にとってのその「誰か」は、「子供の頃に出会いたかった人」です。苦しかった時に出会えなかった、でも本を読む中で自分で作り上げた「誰か」です。この「誰か」になるためには成功してお金も必要だと昔は思っていたのですが、漸く気がつきました。自分に与えらたことに真摯に向き合うことで私も「誰か」に慣れるんだなと。刺し子を通して、そんな「誰か」になれたらい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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[Sustainability] is one concept that “they” want to see within Sashiko. It is true that [Sustainability] exists in the foundation of Sashiko, and I hope my Stories will enrich the understanding of Sashiko & Sustainability.
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An analogy. We all need “Water” to make a living. It isn’t realistic to “create” water from scratch, so we use water from “River” or “Lake” from Nature. Among many ways to approach the Sustainability for this water usage, one important approach is to protect the upstream – where the Water comes from. When the upstream is clogged (lost), we will not see any water in the river or the lake. Some may be living near the upstream. In that case, for “Sustainability”, they are somewhat responsible for taking care of those who live downstream of the river. Discharging the contaminated water to the river would be harmful to others who make a living downstream. Being decent is the key to preserving sustainability in Water Usage.
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The same thing goes to Sustainability in Culture. Thanks to the Internet, we can obtain the Cultural Practice/Wisdom/Knowledge/Ideas by one click. However, without proper approach to the culture, we may lose the upstream of the culture – which will, soon or later, cause the drought of cultural contexts. [Respect to where it comes from. Care about where it goes.] I believe this is the fundamental of thinking for Sustainability, and we all can do by just acknowledging & being “Decent”.
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12年前の家業時代と比較して、英語で発信している情報はとんでもなく増えていますが、同時に実際に「営業する時間」はめちゃくちゃ減っています。この場合の営業とは、知って頂くために自分からアクションを起こす活動だと思って頂ければ。表面的な流行の中でも見てくれる人はいて、営業せずに自分の自己表現に集中しても、知って貰える世の中になりつつあるんだろうなと。ある意味で「持続可能」が現実になってきているのかもしれません。歪な持続可能性の中で光るものがあれば、それは余計に。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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“Stitching Speed” isn’t the priority in our Sashiko. In my understanding of our Sashiko, “fast stitching” doesn’t represent the level and value of the Sashiko Artisan. The majority of Sashiko is done by hand-stitching, so I understand that people consider Sashiko as the “Slow-Stitching”. It is slow in comparison to the industrialized sewing machine. However, focusing on “Slowness” will twist the important part of Sashiko – “rhythm”. It isn’t only about Sashiko – but in order to feel the rhythm, “speed” is necessary. In order to learn how to ride a bicycle, a rider needs to pedal so that they can get enough speed to be balanced. It goes to many repetitive movement, and unfortunately, when one is occupied by the mindset of “Slow & Accuracy”, they won’t really experience the “Rhythm and Accuracy”.
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Even besides the most important element: “rhythm”, it is good to be able to stitch a bit faster. The faster we can stitch, the more we can stitch. I guess some people will not believe it, if I say that I stitched this much within a few days while doing some house chores (like cooking & dishes). If you have taken my workshop, you will see it can happen. It is just a matter of practice (you see the path to be able to do) – or you may just say “Yeah, we can (as some of you do already…)”.
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Please don’t be a part of simplifying the culture by avoiding the challenge. Please learn – and when you learn, please be serious. What it takes is a ¼ to ½ of the monthly rent, and some chunk of hours of commitment. If you are serious, I will be there to support you until you get it.
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たぶん、おそらく、気のせいだと思うのですが、麻の葉柄を刺すことに嫌気が差してきて、最近はデニムに逃げています。デニムは（も）楽しいのです。形ができているからイメージしやすいし、刺し終わりも見えますし。数日で片足の前面だけ刺すほどには逃避行に走っております（笑）
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刺し子において「刺す速さ」は一番大切な要素ではありません。ただ、一番大切なリズムを感じるためには一定の速さが必要になります。その「速さ」の助けになるのが運針で、速さは求めるものではなく、いつか身についているものという捉え方が一番近いのかな。久々に配信前に時間ができたのでデニムに逃げずに投稿です。配信でお待ちしておりますー！
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子 #SashikoDenim


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I once wrote that the selfish reason for me to share the Sashiko we practice is to leave something behind for my daughter. I have goals & dreams in Sashiko – to pass down this culture as a “whole” practice. However, after all, I would like to “leave” something about me behind to the one I love the most.
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Interestingly, the “Catalyst” behind all of what I do (opening reason I “restarted” Sashiko) was my mother’s personal favor. She asked me if I could help her to “sell” some of her Sashiko & related supplies so that she can get supplies to continue her Sashiko. Not even to pay for her bills – as she stitches a LOT, her favor to me, the request from mother to son, is how we started. After almost 10 years, I am very thankful to you & those who listen to our stories. We are still in the process of achieving our goals… and we have good reasons why we don’t change ourselves. I see the clear destination I wish to be.
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There are so many “Sashiko (Rising) Artisans” I would like to bring up. The Sashiko introduced in English is not wrong – but one simplified aspect of the whole picture of Sashiko. Sashiko is more than what “they” define. Your action will support us to introduce others like I do about my mother, Keiko. She is a great Artist – if Sashiko were to be the Art, she is the Sashiko Artist.
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あまりに刺し子中毒になってしまい、「よっこいしょ」と自分に声掛けをしなければ文章を書くこともできなくなってしまっています。これは正直ショック（笑）言葉遊びは刺し子よりも優先順位が高いところにあったはずなのですが…人は変わるものです。この10年間で様々なことが変わりました。私自身も変化しているんだろうと思います。ただ、それでも、核となる部分は変わらない刺し子を続けたいなと思っています。「成長はしても大事な所は変わらない（見失わない）」。なかなかにハードルが高いことではあるのですが、それを無言実行しているのが私の母親の恵子さんな訳で…ずーっと成長し続ける母親の背中を追っていくのも大変なのです。でも、だからこそ今があるんでしょうけどね。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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I have been stitching a lot recently. I mean, as a Sashiko Artist, it is natural for me to touch the Needle every day… but recently, I am prioritizing stitching more than “sharing Sashiko Stories”. As my goal is to “Share” the Sashiko we practice, it is kind of strange for me to feel the shift in my choices.
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To be honest, I may be turning away from reality. Without the “Real Ordinary”, the Sashiko doesn’t exist – at the same time, Sashiko can be a way to protect oneself like a shell. All I wish (hope) is that this society would be the place for the Artists/Artisans to be able to focus on their “creation” instead of “protecting their own identities”. I guess, after all, I wish I would be able to focus on just stitching instead of sharing stories. However, unfortunately, someone is changing something for their “profit/convenience” without stitching. That is not fair… but there is no choice for me but keep speaking up.
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The truth of Sashiko exists in stitching. I hope you follow the so-called “Sashiko Masters” who actually stitch. Please be a smart “follower”, and then please lead others for the reasonable reality.
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ここの所、気がついたら針を持っています。刺し子が好きになったのは自覚していたけれど、これほどまでに無意識で針を持つような時間を過ごすのは、正直初めてです。刺し子が日常になった…という前向きな見方もできるのですが、同時に「刺し子に（無意識に）逃げている」のだろうなとも思うのです。逃げ込める場所であることが刺し子の良い所の一つでもあるでしょうし。
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高校卒業して、アメリカの大学に留学して、新卒で一部上場の大企業に入り…という日々を振り返ると、なんだかんだで「戦略」が存在した20年でした。大学を意識した17才からの20年は、「賢く生きるか」が常に頭のどこかにあったんだろうと思います。ただ、ここ最近の私の考え方は少しずれてきていて、頭の中で考える「戦略」なんかよりも、実際に手を動かして感じる「現実」の方に、求めている本質があるんだろうなと思うのです。もちろん、価値観や優先順位は人それぞれですが、もう「必死」に我武者羅に足掻いているのが今なんだろうなと。
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頭で考えれば考える程、戦略を意識すればするほど、今の私の活動は「意味のないこと」に収束します。端的に言うと、昔の私の言葉で言うと、「全然賢くないこと」をしようとしています。「お前アホか？」と自分にツッコミを入れてしまいそうな程に。それでも、どれだけ長い道のりでも、一応の到達点が見えている限りは前に進み続けようと思うのですよ。たかが刺し子です。でも、そこに人生を捧げた人がいるんです。後から振り返って「楽しかった」と思える刺し子の日々をこれからも続けていきたいなと。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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I sometimes wonder what would be like if I didn’t decide to study in the US. If I weren’t proficient in English, all of my Sashiko Stories here wouldn’t be delivered to you. I occasionally wonder what if we didn’t have the Internet. I don’t have any agents/publishers/spokesperson who can represent me. So, what I write/say here is what exactly comes from my brain through my own hands/voice. When I was a child, I didn’t know Sashiko would be this popular – so everything I experience now is a matter of coincidence. I imagine how sad it is to lose the Sashiko I talk about here because of lack of “coincidence” – I was lucky. At the same time, there are cultures we lost due to the exact same reasons: Language & Publicity.
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Majority of Sashiko Teachers in English are non-Japanese. At the same time, “Being Japanese” itself isn’t the qualification of being “a Good Sashiko Teacher”. It is a matter of “attitude” toward teaching and its responsibility. I wish I had another teacher who has been practicing Sashiko for a long time, who happened to be proficient in English. There are (and there will be) many more Japanese with English (non-Japanese) proficiency who happen to find Sashiko as their teaching materials. They probably move on when Sashiko isn’t no longer a trend. So are the other non-Japanese Sashiko Teachers. I sometimes feel I am alone in sharing the Sashiko Story – although there are a lot more like me in different fields & culture.
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I say, “Copy it. Please Copy It seriously if you were to copy it”, as a reaction to so much simplification & commercialization of Sashiko. Yet, soon, I feel that we will lose “upstreams” because there are so many who do not even list where they learned from. The culture only exists in a flow, and we cannot forget it “comes from” somewhere, someone who was very serious in one practice.
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Live Streaming Tonight (11/9)
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少々お時間を頂きました。少し考えに耽っていました。特に何があったと言う訳でもないのですが、冬に向かう空気だからでしょうか、刺し子と向かい合っていました。「淳」。あつしと読んで私の名です。「すなお」と入力しても同じ漢字が出ます。もう少し、ドロドロとしたものも吐き出してもいいのかなぁと思ったり。今週も配信で刺し子についてお話ししていきます。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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“Sustainability”, “Mindfulness”, “Uycycle”, and “Attentive to Details (Slow)”… we use these words as something new to improve our lives in 2023. As far as I know, in Japan, these words were part of their “ordinary”. These words weren’t something to achieve. They were there already, and we unfortunately forgot (or are forgetting) them by adapting something else. The reason I speak up about Sashiko in English is to keep what we already have/had – from being changed for something “convenient” for people who do not even care for the culture itself.
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One “Fast-Fashion” brand contacted me about our Sashiko. Collaboration with them would increase our publicity significantly. Well, regardless of the potential benefit, I told them what I always state here. I don’t hear back from them – and they would probably find “someone convenient” to adapt Sashiko to their profit. Unfortunately, this Fast Fashion brand isn’t the only one.
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As a business to make a profit, there is nothing wrong with their decision. What I want to say is that what is “famous” is not always what it really is. The Internet enables us to see the story behind “popular” – so your time here to read my Story, and spreading to your world, will be the best way to preserve the culture we are about to lose.
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昨日のカトちゃんとKUONの刺し子ジャケットの写真、沢山日本語のコメントが頂けて嬉しいです。丁寧に個別にお返事を…と思ったのですが、お返事したい内容が一緒なので、ここに書かせて下さい。
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いつも配信で話す「（総刺しの）刺し子ジャケットは着る人を選ぶ」ということ。そして着る人と刺し子の重さのバランスが取れるとこうもカッコよくなるんだということ。ファッションのセンスはないと自認しながらも、この組み合わせはどこのどんなブランドのハイエンドの服とスーパーモデルの組み合わせよりもカッコいいと思ってしまいます。
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「着る人を選ぶ」と書きましたが、それは「選ばれた人しか着れない」ということではありません。着続けるだけの覚悟があるか。もっと言うと、覚悟があるか。どんな小さいことでも良いんです。覚悟がある人、あるいは覚悟をしたことがある人には、刺し子は必ず似合います。きっとね、一昔前は日本はそんな人で溢れていたんだと思います。無骨。愚直。頑固。英語にできない単語が沢山あって、それが文化を形成してきました。刺し子が無くなる日は、着る人がいなくなる時です。でも…いや、だからこそ、日本は大丈夫だろうと思って発信しているのだと思います。
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カトちゃんは伝説の人です。ドリフのメンバーは誰が来ても刺し子を最大限に引き出してくれると思います。と同時に、実は多数の「刺し子が似合う人」が日本には存在します。幼少期からずーっと見てきた人達であり、また私が尊敬し憧れ続けてきた人達でもあります。
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昨日の配信で「刺し子は民藝なのか？」への私なりの回答をしました。もしかしたら私は刺し子を民藝寄りにしたいのかもしれません。分業（仕事を分ける）のに、一つの纏まりがある。個人の趣向を尊重しつつ、でも一つに収束する。そんな日本人らしさを今後も形にしていけたらと思います。ま、偉そうなこと言ってますが、刺し子しかできないんですけどね。コメントありがとうございます！
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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In many years of our practice in Sashiko, we very rarely have worked for a fashion brand. KUON – @kuon_tokyo_official is one of them, and they shared incredible news that the legendary Comedian in Japan wore the Jacket we contributed to (as Sashiko Artisans) for his book cover photo.
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The team Kuon, with very talented members, has been applying their understanding & interpretation of Sashiko & Boro to their definition of “Fashion”. As you know, we are simply “Artisans” – Fashion itself is not our strength, or even the priority. Therefore, we often end up declining the offer from other brands – we need to have a mutual understanding first on what we can/wish to do. I am very happy that this Jacket has been like their “signature” – and yes, I would say, this is the best, most fashionable, and the coolest Sashiko Jacket I can imagine. Our Sashiko – Their Design – and I believe it is one form of the future of Sashiko.
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We know what we can do – and We also know what we “cannot” do. Sharing Stories here is my priority, yet creating the future (with new Fashion) is also an important action. It was (and hopefully “is”) an honor to work for/with Kuon.
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Photo Styled by @kanemitru
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私が今のように刺し子と真剣に向き合い始めた初期のお話です。当時から恵子さんは今と何も変わっていなくて、当時の刺し子職人さんと一緒にご協力させて頂いたプロジェクトがあります。大槌刺し子と一緒に仕事をする中でご縁を頂いたブランド「KUON – @kuon_tokyo_official
」から刺し子のご依頼を頂き、刺し子を担当させて頂いて、その後才能溢れるパターンナーの方を中心としたチームが作り上げたジャケット。今回、加藤茶さんの人生初のパーソナルブックの表紙にご着用頂いたとの報告を頂き、こうしてご紹介させて頂くことになりました。KUONとスタイリストのカネミツさん（@kanemitru）の共同作品とのことです。敢えて言います。カトチャン、めちゃカッコいい。
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配信や口頭では時々KUONさんのことはお話していたのですが、「美しいものはいつまでも美しい」をコンセプトとした、まぁとんでもなくかっこよくてお洒落なブランドです。刺し子や襤褸のことも調べて下さり、その未来を丁寧に大切に作って下さっているブランドだと思っています。だからお手伝いをさせて頂くことができたのだと思っています。
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ジャケットやバッグという「身につけるもの」を作っている私達ですが、ファッションについてはセンスがあまりありません。私に限ってはさっぱりです。野良着は平面裁断である程度限界があるし、刺し子をした私の着るものは、パターンとかよりは如何に刺し子をするか…という方向に意識がいってしまっているので、「ファッション？何それ？？」という、陥ってはいけない状況に迷い込んでしまうことも多々あります。現代において布と生活する私等は、ファッションとは切り離せません。刺し子もファッションと切り離せないし、切り離したら駄目です。だからこそ、私達は愚直に不器用でもいいから刺し子だけに焦点を当てて、その「刺し子をどうするか」という未来は、KUONのようなチームにお願いしたいなというのが本音です。
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もう来週までなのですが、伊勢丹新宿店 メンズ館2階にてポップアップストアを開催されているようです。是非KUONの作品を見に足を運んで頂ければ。刺し子と襤褸の解釈としての未来の一つがそこにはあります。
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#Sashiko #KUON #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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(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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