Are you seeking for “Correct” Sashiko? It is one of the most popular questions on this website. Is my Sashiko correct or wrong? Here is my answer to the long-discussed topic: Correct Sashiko Wrong Sashiko.
Contents
About Rules and regulation in Sashiko
I wrote an article about rules and regulations in Sashiko.
There isn’t such a thing as Rules and Regulations in Sashiko.
I am sorry for saying it, but there isn’t because Sashiko was (is) too ordinary to Japanese. I understand the human prefer the solid answer than unregulated information. It is always easier to follow rules and manuals than starting from scratch.
The key of Sashiko is to enjoy hand-stitching and appreciate the fabric.
As long as you are following those concepts, I respect you as a Sashiko practitioner. There are techniques, advice, and hints to make Sashiko beautiful and efficient. However, it is not a form of rules telling you “What to do and what not to do.”
An Analogy to Correct Sashiko Wrong Sashiko discussion
Again. I understand that you prefer to have sort of rules to clarify your question of Correct Sashiko Wrong Sashiko. “Do whatever you want” is not a great approach in a process of learning something new. Therefore, I have many tutorials to share how “I” enjoy Sashiko and creates so many Sashiko items in a limited time. I would like to, however, avoid mentioning what is Correct and what is wrong. There is Sashiko I like and Sashiko I do not like. Would it make sense a bit more?
Pizza in American culture would be a good analogy for my understanding of Sashiko.
There are many kinds of Pizza in the United States, and in the world.
There is a Italian style Pizza, Chicago Style Pizza, New York Style Pizza, Frozen Pizza to Delivery Pizza. More and more.
Can you define which is “Correct Pizza” and “Wrong Pizza”? Please do not say that a Frozen Pizza is not a Pizza. I understand that people have the preference. Some people prefer deep dish Chicago pizza, and the other people may like cheap junky taste pizza.
Pizza is too ordinary for us to categorize what is Pizza and NOT.
Sashiko is(was) like this Pizza for the Japanese in the past. The ordinary Japanese, especially those who were in the poor region, performed Sashiko and each village, each family in the village, each family member in the family, had their original Sashiko.
Sashiko is merely a form of stitching
Sashiko Art items are so beautiful. I agree with that.
The people found the beauty in the repetitive stitching and its simplicity. They found the value in the concept behind Sashiko and its products such as Boro.
However, Sashiko is merely a form of stitching.
It is free to collaborate with any other textile culture, Art, and anything you can think of. For that matter, the reader of this article has more possibility than I do because my imagination in Sashiko is very limited to the traditional (and sometimes referred authentic) Sashiko.
I sincerely believe that Keiko (Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya) is a genius in Sashiko field.
Regardless of her 30+ years of experience in Sashiko field, she can create something new with the concept of Sashiko & its technique. If you are wondering what Sashiko is… and concerened with the discussion of Correct Sashiko Wrong Sashiko, please visit Keiko for her Sashiko items. They will clear all of the questions and motivate you to enjoy Sashiko more and more.