Sashiko is a “form/practice/culture of hand-stitching” developed in Japan. Yes, the “technique” and “patterns” are very inspiring & important to learn. However, what I want to share is “MORE” than just how Sashiko looks. What I would like to share includes, but not limited to, tradition, custom, rituals, belief, philosophy, spirituality, and the ordinary of the Japanese people who practice(d) Sashiko. Without explaining them, the culture may be twisted by someone’s convenience – and may be for their profit.
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I am very lucky to marry a beautiful person with several heritage (Born in USSR, moved to Israel). We have a daughter who is American. Every single day, I learn something new. Ever since I immigrated to the US, I respect this country. Therefore, I “share”. I am NOT judging, criticizing, attacking nor excluding those non-Japanese who enjoy Sashiko. I am simply asking to learn the difference. In the past, there weren’t any resources. Now, I share the resource.
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The Japanese culture (& its practice) is very unique to non-Japanese culture. The Japanese who live in Japan do not realize the uniqueness so often. However, well therefore, there is a lot of wisdom that I can share. I hope what I share will be some help to your ordinary days. Learning Sashiko is “more” than making beautiful stitches. (If a goal is to have perfect even stitches with beautiful patterns, a machine can do that. And there is nothing wrong with the machine).
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ここ数日、寝ても覚めても「貧しさと日本人」というキーワードでずーっと頭が高速回転しています。清貧という言葉があるように、「無理に富を求めず、正しい行いをして貧しい生活を送ること」という美学が日本人にあります。ただ、これには前提があって、二元論で物事を考えない日本人的だからこその美学だったりします。清貧を二元論の社会に持ち込むと、「では金儲けは汚いことだ」となってしまう。清く富むことも、清く貧しくなることも受け入れてきたんだろうとも思うのです（勿論、二元論で完結する社会もあったとは思いますが）。
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考え続けると、刺し子を英語で伝えることは即ち日本的美学の紹介でもあるんだろうと思うのです。逆に言うと、その美学を伝えることができなければ、僕達が思う刺し子の全体像は英語圏では広まらないのではと思うほどに。あれ？とても壮大な事に挑戦しようとしてますかね。
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#Sashiko #Hitomezashi #JapaneseSashiko #JapaneseCulture #刺し子 #一目刺し
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