We are happy to announce the Sashiko Exhibition Tokyo 2018 with Keiko Futatsuya (Sashi.Co) and Otsuchi Sashiko Project. This is their 2nd Sashiko Exhibition in 2018, followed by the exhibition in Gifu. They will have numbers of Sashiko Jackets, Sashiko Bags, and Natural Dye Sashiko Thread for purchase. If you happen to be in Japan near Tokyo Area, please enjoy our authentic Sashiko works!
This is our first year to offer Sashiko exhibition. Following after the Sashiko Exhibition Tokyo 2018, Keiko and I sincerely hope that we can visit other cities to have our Sashiko exhibition to share what we love, what we are proud of, and what we would like to share.
The Detail of Sashiko Exhibition Tokyo 2018
Date: May 8th to May 12th in 2018
[5/8 (Tuesday) to 5/12 (Saturday) in 2018]
Location: GALLERY AI in Kugayama, Tokyo.
Please contact me if you would be able to visit the gallery. I am happy to share the exact location. Everything displayed in the exhibition is subject to purchase. We want a customer to use (wear, carry, display in any daily usage) the Sashiko items, and Sashiko items become more beautiful by being used in the daily life.
Some Photos of Sashiko Items
These are only a few samples of what Keiko & Otsuchi Sashiko will display. You may be able to touch the most of our Sashiko Items. For the jacket, you should try it on if you are interested. Again, Sashiko is a form of very “ordinary” stitching developed in Japan. We do not want to make it so fancy, we just would like to enjoy the power of authentic Sashiko.
This is one of the most popular Sashiko Jackets/Ponchos in Keiko’s Collection. We, Keiko, myself, and Otsuchi Sashiko, are the group of Sashiko Professionals. I hope visiters can have a chance to enjoy the master pieces.
Not only the traditional Sashiko, Keiko will display some of her modern Sashiko Jacket. This jacket is the collaboration of Katazome vintage Fabric with her “free-style” Sashiko Stitching.
Keiko will be in Tokyo on 5/7, with wearing something very contemporary & Sashiko Stitches. This best is with Denim fabric and some Sashiko Stitching. Pretty Fashionable, I think.
I will write a report of two beautiful Sashiko Exhibitions in 2018 1st half. The Sashiko Exhibition Tokyo 2018 will be something we will be something very remarkable. Keiko is very nervous to show up as Sashiko artist in front of visitors since this is her first time! (She was not allowed to mention her name before 2014.) Exciting!!
May 3rd, 2018. This day became another great milestone on our Sashiko Journey, to learn what we can provide throughout our Sashiko experience. We had a group of Stitchers from Thailand to have Keiko’s Boro Inspired Sashiko Patchwork workshop in her private space.
I started a Sashiko workshop in late 2016 in the USA. Ever since I started introducing the Sashiko Workshops in English, many people asked me if they can take the Sashiko Workshop when they travel to Japan. Some inquires got fade out, some couldn’t fit their schedule, and some could make it happen with their passion & luck. Some people even travel for 5 hours only to take Keiko’s workshop.
It is our surprise, hand big honor to be respected this amount.
Regardless of my belief in Keiko’s ability and talent, I always worried (and still worry) about the language barrier. However, every time Keiko has a workshop, the happy faces surprised me that my worry regarding language isn’t the big obstacle in sharing Sashiko stitching.
Here, with participants’ permission, let me share happy faces with their brilliant result of a day-long workshop for Boro-Inspired Sashiko Patchwork Workshop.
Happy Faces with their Beautiful Sashiko
Thank you very much for sharing these beautiful photos. The Boro inspired fabric is done by each participant. They are all unique and so beautiful.
The detail of Boro Inspired Sashiko Patchwork Workshop
In Japan, we do not offer the Boro & Sashiko workshop regularly. The workshops are only available by privately arranged and appointed. Please read the article about “Customize Sashiko Workshop in Japan” and contact me for setting up the workshop to meet your preference & expectation.
This workshop was a whole day workshop, starting at 9 until the dinner time. The participants will finish their projects to make it a Tote-bag. We provide enough materials to do so. The result is simply amazing, and we are so glad to have many happy faces. The contents of Sashiko related workshops are independently different. It means that I will modify the content of workshop by hearing your preferences and experience.
When you are serious, please feel free to contact Atsushi for the arrangement.
Please be advised for maximizing the workshop experience here.
Keiko will show you how to use thimble, needle, and do Sashiko workshop. However, there is a slight possibility that the language barrier causes the frustration. I will do everything I can do to follow up, but please consider to take Atsushi’s Sashiko Workshops in advance, if possible. You do not need to know how to use a needle and thimble in our Sashiko method. However, we strongly recommend you having the basic needlework skill.
Boro and Sashiko. Share the fun and beauty
This Boro Inspired Sashiko Patchwork Workshop taught me, again, how beautiful the Sashiko and Boro piece can be. 7 participants made 7 completely unique Boro-inspired patchworks. All of them are so beautiful and precious.
It is all about preferences. Not being right or wrong.
When we stop judging others, and most importantly ourselves, we can enjoy our life more and more.
The big earthquake hit Northeast Japan, almost 7 years ago, a cold day in March. In a process of recovering from this tragedy, Sashiko helped a group of people in small town, Otsuchi. We are honored to announce that the Otsuchi recovery Sashiko project hosts their Sashiko Exhibition to reiterated our condolences, to remember what happened.
Otsuchi Sashiko Project had successfully created “a community” where survivors of Tsunami get together and practice Sashiko.
“We would like to deliver a fishing rod instead of a fish”
After receiving so grateful support supplies from in&out of Japan, we focused on how to bring them to “normal,” which seemed to be almost impossible. I don’t think we have brought them to “normal” but we are sure that we could help them physically and psychologically through Sashiko and hand-crafting. We surely see the power of Sashiko.
Every Sashiko items are all handmade.
There are similar designs, but they are all one of a kind Sashiko items, which is actually Sashiko art.
We are happy to introduce the Sashiko items in general public so people and touch, feel, and appreciate the precious works.
Sashiko artist, Keiko Futatsuya, will be in the gallery on March 10th and 18th.
The manager of Otsuchi Sashiko Project will be attending the lecture and opening on March 10th.
It is an event in Japanese, but it is a rare opportunity to enjoy the actual & traditional Sashiko items.
Sashiko Exhibition for anyone | in Gifu Prefecture
The Sashiko exhibition is open for free admission during March 10th to 18th between 10 am to 6 pm. The location of the gallery is not convenient for non-Japanese, but please contact us for the locations if you happen to be in Japan, in Gifu prefecture.
We will take photos and show our Sashiko arts.
Sashiko Exhibition Tokyo 2018 | Gallery Ai in Kugayama, Tokyo
It was a surprise to me. I thought the language would be an obstacle to provide enjoyable/informative workshops in Japan to someone who doesn’t understand Japanese. However, Keiko managed to provide the Boro Sashiko Patchworking workshops and the participants enjoyed it very much. They mentioned that the workshop was the highlight of their stay in Japan. Our goal is to introduce Sashiko. So, if the participants would be satisfied and happy, there is enough reason to offer Sashiko workshops in Japan. Here is the offer from Upcycle Stitches to arrange Customize Sashiko Workshop in Japan, provided by Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya.
Update in 2019 for Customize Sashiko Workshop
We made an update for the prerequisite for a Sashiko or Boro Workshop in Japan. Please take a look at the new requirement. Thank you!
*If you live in the USA, Atsushi offers Sashiko Workshops throughout a year. Upcycle Stitches is open to customizing the workshop to meet your preferences.
*If the schedule doesn’t match or too far to come and join, we recommend taking Sashiko Online Workshop in English before the visit so you know the basic and core technique before your visit.
Keiko explains what Japanese Rice Bag is. Thank you, Arielle, for sharing the great smile!
[Previous Update | April 2018]
We have completed several workshops in 2017 & 2018. We learn from the experience, and we are strived to provide an enjoyable workshop. For that purpose, we strongly recommend the participants to have basic sewing skills. The language is not a problem when the participants can comfortably use a needle, and Keiko can give them advice by showing (not explaining).
If you aren’t familiar with needlework and would like to learn the basics of Sashiko stitching, please consider takingAtsushi’s Workshop in the US or Sashiko Online Workshop.
In 2019, we have a new prerequisite for scheduling any workshops in Japan – to provide a better and more enjoyable opportunity.
You would like to learn what Sashiko is like from the active Sashiko artist while your visit to Japan?
This is an opportunity for you to visit the town called Takayama, visit the artist’s house, and learn Sashiko and/or related fields. Since Keiko doesn’t speak English, it will be through “help from technology such as smartphone app” and prepared articles. Most of the workshop is operated by “doing it” so not much verbal communication would be necessary. Keiko can try to communicate, and you will be able to communicate through whatever communication skills and technology we can think of.
Atsushi from Upcycle Stitches will arrange the workshop based on your needs and availability of artists in Japan (mostly Keiko). If you are interested in Boro, we can focus on mending Boro and fabric. If you are solely interested in Sashiko, we can try to make the Sashiko stitching workshops. We just started the challenge to customize Sashiko workshops. Although we may not be able to answer to all of your requests, your request will make this challenge better and possible.
We will follow the basic Sashiko rules, of course. Workshop focus on having fun by DOING it.
*Keiko doesn’t have a store, an office neither a studio in Takayama yet. You will visit her private house to have a workshop. We would ask you to provide us your basic personal information to keep our activity safe and stable.
What we can offer
Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya and Atsushi from Upcycle Stitches LLC can offer a few types of Sashiko workshops in Japan. Atsushi usually takes responsibility of Sashiko workshop in English. In Atsushi’s workshop, there will be an explanation of what Sashiko is, how to use the thimble and needle appropriately, the brief history, and continuous Q&A session throughout the workshop. In Japan, in the customize Sashiko workshop, the participants will focus on “doing” than “learning.” The information you would get maybe less comparing to participating in Atsushi’s workshop. However, you would have more time to work on the projects and learn through moving your hands with Keiko.
As of now, Keiko is happy and confident to offer:
Boro making workshop
From a pile of Japanese Vintage Fabric, which Keiko collect, you will make the one of a kind Bag for you.
The fee consists of 2 components; the arrangement fee and the workshop fee.
The Workshop Fee:
10,000JPY (About $92) ~ and up / per participants
The fee varies based on your request. We would ask you for your preferences such as;
How long you would like to stay there to learn Sashiko and Boro making
What kind of items you would like to make
The base fee of 10,000 JPY is about for 2~3 hours of the workshop with making the Boro placemat together. If the participant doesn’t finish the placemat, we will provide the necessary supply to complete them later on.
Please be advised that Keiko only can take cash in Japan.
Pre-payment with Credit Card can be arranged. Please read the cancellation policy for the payment.
The Arrangement Fee:
$75.00 ~ and up / per visit
The workshop can be as long as a few days to complete the purpose. This is the fee toward Upcycle Stitches LLC to arrange the workshop, translate the necessary materials, and accommodation (translation) over the visit if necessary. If you are a graduate of Atsushi’s workshop (in NYC or Online), the arrangement fee will be $25.00 without any assistance to teach the basic and core of Sashiko stitching.
Sample Case for Boro “Bag” Workshop:
The Arrangement Fee of $100.00 and the workshop fee of $100.00 per person. The length of the workshop depends on the participant’s skill, but it would be roughly about 4 hours. If you are visiting yourself, the total will be $200.00. If you are a group of 4, the total will be $500.00 and which is $125.00 per person.
Threads, Fabric, and everything else for Sale
Sashiko Thread, including the Sashiko thread Keiko hand-dyed with Natural materials such as Indigo and other vegetables, Fabric for Sashiko, and everything else you would need to maximize your Sashiko experience will be available for sale with the special price during the workshop. Also, some of Keiko’s work, such as Sashiko Jackets, Sashiko Bags, Boros, and more will be also available if you wish.
Please contact us through the form below. Atsushi will get back to you as soon as possible. If you do not hear from me within 2 days, please send me an e-mail to “info●sashico.com” (Please change ● to @.）
