When I write about the “language” difference, some read it superficially as if I am excluding non-Japanese. They say, “So you are saying we need to be fluent in Japanese to enjoy Sashiko?”. No, I am NOT saying it at all.
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You do not need the Japanese language to enjoy/practice Sashiko. Only thing I am asking is the respect/care for the Japanese culture (voice). When they are trying to learn the “mindset”, I am fine with them teaching Sashiko. Only thing I would find uncomfortable is to “twist(repaint)” the culture. When a Sashiko teacher leaves the impression to students that they do not need to “look further” in Sashiko after the workshop, then it is a problem. All of my class ends saying “This is the start of their Sashiko”. A big difference in mindset & approach.
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Sashiko isn’t so difficult to be good at. However, it isn’t shallow as the non-Japanese can “complete” on behalf of us. Summarizing/Simplifying Sashiko into “the one answer” with filtering numbers of diversified style is a form of twisting & repainting the culture – and when it is done with intentional ignorance & for the profit, then it is Cultural Appropriation.
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As I always say, “Caring & Respect” will differentiate Appreciation from Appropriation – not what you can do, it is how you approach it (although it would be great to try to learn the Japanese).
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配信では良く話すのですが、日本語では「主語」を多用しません。それは、「誰が」の部分は既に前提として共通認識されていることが多く、敢えて言う必要がある場合以外は省略してしまうからです。同様の共通認識で、指示語である「あれそれこれ」も多用されます。受動態＆能動態も、一文字で変わります。結果……共通認識あっての意思疎通になります（笑）。やっぱり凄い言語だよなぁと。想像力と共感力がないと日本語って難しいんじゃないかと思うのですよ。だって、誰が何をしているのかっていう基本文型を想像しながら話すんですよ……凄い話です。
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