February 26, 2023 at 11:15AM

After the lecture, I got a very good question: [What is your dream in Sashiko?]. Is it to be famous in the textile field? Having Fancy Studio & Production? Making Good Money? Publications? Recognition as an Artist? Fame? I had to think about this for a bit – and I said my goal is that I can keep the Same Sashiko 10 years, and 30 years from now in the way I enjoy today. Everything else I mentioned above (like money & fame) are all means to make my dream come true. Even a small dream of having my own studio (or a space) for Sashiko is a vehicle – my dream is that I can do the exact same thing in the future – therefore, I want to share the Stories.

A “Craft” culture doesn’t end when a craftsman or an artisan decides to quit their activities. Here, in the same logic, Sashiko Culture does NOT end when I (or we) decide to quit Sashiko. However, I can say for sure that the Sashiko Culture I practice will end when the artisans who indirectly support me become the Sashiko Artisan (like makers of threads, needles, thimble, and fabric who are also the artisans). To support them back somehow is the indirect dream to make my direct dream (of keeping my Sashiko as is) for the long-going future.

One may say they don’t need a thimble. It is a true statement for them. However, for me, keeping the stories & technique how significant “the thimble” is will support the artisans & the Sashiko in my future. I guess I am pretty self-centered and I am very particular in what I want. I just want to keep stitching the way I do today – and I would like to have the same tools, supplies and mindset that I have today. Unfortunately, the Sashiko introduced in English is optimized for Western Teaching & Audience. They aren’t wrong, but not enough. I will keep sharing the Stories as well as our Sashiko so that we can have the same “Addictive Fun” in 10 years & 100 years.





何百人という方にお話をする機会を頂いた後に、とても純粋な感じで「淳の刺し子の夢は何ですか?」と。有名になること?本を出すこと?お金持ちになること?認められること?…何が夢ですか、と。少し考えて出た言葉が「刺し子を続けていたい」でした。不思議な顔をされたので、「刺し子を続ける為には、その道具や材料を作ってくれる人も必要だから」と説明しながら、結局はそうなんだろうなと。30年後も今日と同じように刺し子をする為に、今頑張ってるんだなと。一番になりたいとか特別になりたいという野望は強くありません。ただただ、自分の核にある刺し子を、大切に思う友人達とずーっと続けていけたらと願っています。

#Sashiko #刺し子


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February 25, 2023 at 12:11PM

Until the year of 2011, I wanted to “end” the Sashiko I was with. For me, it was a chain of negativity back then. After 12 years, I had an honor to present the Sashiko I have received – as the culture I am so proud of. I really appreciate the kind & warm audience today. I was so nervous that I don’t remember what I said in the lecture (The script I prepared & practiced was kind of meaningless…). However, I hope I could communicate the significance of “Acceptance” in Japanese culture & Sashiko. I plan to offer the same(?) lecture online in May. Please wait for an update for this.

The title of the lecture was [Cultural Sustainability] – I specifically used this word. I asked if anyone thought of the [Cultural Appropriation] by finding this title. A majority of people raised their hand… yet they came to listen to my lecture. It is the biggest pleasure that they care although it could be something uncomfortable to hear for non-Japanese.

Long-story short. You know my summary when you follow this account long enough. I “encourage” you to call your stitching Sashiko (only if you want) under one condition – “acknowledgement (of the stories behind the word of Sashiko)”. I sincerely hope that we can keep communicating to find out “our” – “my” – and “your” Sashiko together.

I studied so much to come to the States to college – the motivation was to “evacuate” from Sashiko. Now, in order to preserve the Sashiko we practice, I am using English. English itself is a great power – if I weren’t speaking English, this lecture wouldn’t be happening. It may look like a big detour – but it is true that there is nothing “waste” in our lives – the importance of acceptance. DM me or tag me if you had changce to say hello after the lecture – As much as this is “Instagram”, I would like to be connected & would like to keep in touch!

Big thanks to my family for allowing me to do this – and using them in some jokes. Next time, (I hope) I will not reuse the same jokes!!





えー。想定を超えてました。はい。「レクチャーやったらいいやん!」というお誘いに乗ったは良いのですが、会場の広さは聞いてませんでした。人前で話すことが苦手な訳ではないんですが…少し想定の斜め上でした。吐きそうでした。何かが伝わっていれば嬉しいなぁ(カンペ見る余裕もなく、覚えた台本なんか全部吹っ飛び…これはもう練習が必要です)。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #quiltcon2023


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February 24, 2023 at 06:02AM

I get nervous when I have a workshop/lecture. It doesn’t matter the size, duration, to whom, and even Online or In-person. Everytime I face people who are eager to learn, I get so nervous that I cannot eat anything while (and before) teaching. One cause of this nervousness is “fear to fail”. I am afraid of failing it – here, I guess it is to meet their expectation.

Many encourage me that I will do well. I appreciate that. As I have been teaching Sashiko for 5 years to almost 1K people, I know what I am doing, but I get nervous. For me, a workshop/a lecture may be one of many opportunities to share the Sashiko – however, for the person there, it can be “the opportunity”. I always ask them to keep in touch, wishing & encouraging them to keep Sashiko. However, when I fail to communicate, then the workshop may be their last (for that, their only one) opportunity to stitch. Unfortunately, I don’t know other Japanese Sashiko teachers teaching in a conference setting in English – so, I cannot say that someone will cover for my lousy job (I am wishing someone from my workshops to be a teacher, too). So, I get one shot to make my hope come true. That’s why I get nervous, and I think it is a good thing. I feel the strong responsibility in sharing the Sashiko.

Sashiko has become something “different” in English. It is too late to share what Sashiko is without any discomfort. I write/tell something uncomfortable for those who think they know about Sashiko already. However, it is never too late to share. I really appreciate the number of organizations that arrange a workshop/lecture for me. I limit myself to offer 4~7 in-person workshops per year (The next one is in FL, 4/1 to 4/3). Today another Workshop. Tomorrow, the very first Lecture, in #QuiltCon2023.

Until tomorrow, I am extremely intense for the reasons above. I may look inaccessible… so, if you see me in the afternoon tomorrow on QuiltShow, please say hi to me! I maybe braindead by that, but I am happy to meet new “stitching crazy” friends!





このデニム、あまり配信等では紹介していないのですが、毎回のワークショップのお供をしてくれているデニムです…→→→久々に投稿の文字上限に引っかかったので、日本語はコメント欄に記載します!普段推敲で文字数を減らしているのですが、今日は頭が働かん(笑!)

#Sashiko #刺し子 #quiltcon


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February 22, 2023 at 12:32PM

Ever since Sashiko became my “ordinary”, traveling hasn’t been a boring time. We cannot bring a pair of scissors in the airplane. However, it seems it is okay to have a needle, thimble, and fabric. Japanese stitched Sashiko in their own ordinary to make their life somewhat better. They would probably have found something “meaningful” in their simple, mediocre, yet important time. 

Ever since I decided to “teach” Sashiko, the biggest joy I receive is a sense of community. In my childhood, I always felt lonely as if I was the only one (child) who (had to) stitch. It was the same when I was responsible for Sashiko Business in my youth. About 20 years ago, the society I was looking at was so small that I made it kind of hostile – I felt as if “the society” is telling me that the world no longer needed Sashiko – what my family did with staking their entire lives.

It wasn’t true, fortunately. I have met & will meet so many people who enjoy what I can share. However, I didn’t realize it until very recently – I thought what I received was so boring & mediocre. An event like #QuiltCon is a great opportunity for me to “try”. Believe it or not, I am an introvert. I try my best to be as “difficult” as possible here to preserve my messages & stories – but I believe many who have met me in-person find it quite different – and strange. I don’t talk this much in my “real” self. 

Very fortunately & honor to be part of the great community again where “Fabric/Textile Enthusiasts” are going to be in the same place. I feel that they are all my friends – as we all share the craziness that someone does not understand well (like my wife says “How can you keep stitching so long hours…)”. Again, I will do my best to share the Sashiko we have been practicing for our lives.

☆ 

移動中に刺し子をするようになり、昔の「やることなくて暇だー」という感覚はあまり感じなくなりました。もう若くないということもあるかとは思うのですが、同時につまりはそれだけ刺し子を日常にできているんだろうと思います。重い腰をあげて針を持っていた昔ではなく、気がついたら針を持っているような状態なのかもしれません。昔は当たり前に見ていた風景で、私はそこまで行かないだろうと思っていたのですが、ようやく私もここにきたんだなぁと。

またキルトコンに参加してきます。光栄なことです。「それだけ何回も教えていれば余裕でしょ?」と言われることもあるのですが、私には数ある一つのワークショップでも、参加下さる方にとっては一回です。人生を賭ける気持ちで刺し子を伝えてきます。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #quiltcon2023


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February 20, 2023 at 09:15PM

In 2017, I decided to Stop buying new clothes. Instead of purchasing a new one, I decided to “fix (mend)” it. More importantly, in order to avoid the mending (which isn’t the best joy to me), I am trying to add Sashiko stitching everywhere I can feel. Many say that I am doing a good thing for the environment & SDGs. Yes, probably so, but to be honest, Materialistic Sustainability (Care to Environment) is secondary. The primary reason is to see if Sashiko really makes the fabric strong – I knew it before as many Sashiko Artisans around me proved it to me, yet I just wanted to do it by myself, with my own stitching, throughout my entire life.

That’s the reason I wear almost the same clothes in events. In last 6 years, in most of the events like #QuiltCon, I have been wearing the same Denim shirt & Pants – the difference is the “weight” as I added quite a lot of stitching & mending. I wash them as “regular cloth” (not ideally but I put it in the washing machine… and even tumble dry… with detergent – which does NOT do so with Natural Dye). So, it shouldn’t be dirty at all! I am happy to share(?), let them touch the fabric itself as the Sashiko Stitched Fabric has a very unique texture. I will keep wearing them with more stitching & patches… oh, by the way, you know the word when I keep doing it & wear them in 20XX? It can be called “Boro” – or for sure “Boro Boro” as it is kind of the status at this moment. We can make an authentic Boro – Boro isn’t only from the past – we can make it for the future when we learn what we are doing.





「刺し子は引き算じゃね?(ただ量を刺すだけじゃなくて”どこを刺さないか”を見極める)」とかカッコつけておきながら、「まぁ今は好きじゃなくても、刺し続ければ良くなる時もあるから」と、自分勝手というかなんというか二重基準のお見本みたいなことを言いながら刺し子をし、配信をしておりました。そんなデニムのシャツ。まだ「好き」という所までは行っていないので、これからも引き続き刺し続けるのですが、皆様からの助言を頂き、なんとか先が見えるところまでは来れたのではと思っています。

2017年に服を買うことを止めて見ました。完全消耗品&清潔さを保つ為に下着類は買い換えるようにしているのですが、それ以外はもう服を購入することはなく、ひたすらあるものを直して使うようにしています。それでもプレゼントで服を頂いたり、あるいはデニムの寄付を頂いたりと、なんだかんだで服は増えていくのですが、「それでも使い続けて刺し子をする」という原則は守り続けようと思っています。実感として、やっぱり刺し子をすると布は強くなります。なかなか破れない。破れても刺し子で止まるから補修も比較的簡単。どこまで続けれるかわかりませんが、自分の持ち物に刺し子をすることが好きなので、行けるところまで行ってみようと思っています。「なんか毎回同じ服じゃね?」と思われるのは、上記の理由です。しっかりガシガシ洗ってるので汚くはない…はず…です。

#Sashiko #​刺し子 #quiltcon2023


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February 20, 2023 at 08:12AM

I often receive requests to show the “Back-Side (Wrong Side)” of our Sashiko. I wonder if you realized the photo I had shared in the previous photo is the “Back-Side” of the Furoshiki Wrapping Fabric. Well, I also share the “Back-Side” whenever I share a video of me stitching Sashiko.

Many Sashiko Stitchers get surprised when they learn that we stitch from the Back-Side most of the time. We make stitches by looking at the “Wrong Side” of the fabric. There is nothing wrong with stitching while looking at the “Front Side (Good Side / Showing Side)”. I just want “them” to know that our Sashiko stitches from the Back Side – and there are so many reasons & stories for that.

I use the word “Wrong Side” to explain – however, in principle, we do not want to distinguish “Wrong Side” or “Right Side (Showing Side)”. They stitched Sashiko because they couldn’t replace the fabric so easily… which means they wouldn’t have the luxury to cover the “Wrong Side” of the fabric. So… they developed the skill & wisdom to make both sides as “Finished Side”. Therefore, we do not make knots. Therefore, we stitch from the backside.

It is true that they can have knots in Sashiko. That’s perfectly fine. However, when they teach, I hope they “can” stitch from the backside as well. Otherwise, these stories will be ignored, and worse “Lost” (if we weren’t speaking up). Some may wonder… how can they even make stitches if they are not looking at the “Showing Side”. They may say: “Well, it is because they have a good amount of practice”. Practice is important, but for this, the “mindset” is more important. Sashiko is more than just a technique to make even stitches – and I share the mindset & skill as a package in my workshop/Online Class.





私等は基本的に「裏」から刺し子をします。一目刺しの仕上げや絵的な刺し子等で表から刺すことも勿論あるのですが、幾何学模様を刺す際は裏からがほとんどです。刺し子の写真を紹介する中で「裏を見せて」と言われることが度々あるのですが、私のYoutubeの配信は99%裏を見せてますし、逆に言うとリクエストを頂かない限り表は見せません。ひっくり返すのが面倒だから。全ての刺し子が終わるまで表を見ないことすらあるほどです(これは良くない習慣ですが)。

「裏から刺してどうやって針目を揃えるの?」とご質問頂くこともあるのですが、本音を言うと「あまり揃えようと思っていない(から揃う)」のです。運針ができるようになると、針目を目で追うことは少なくなります。気がつくと針目が揃う。そんなアホなと思われるかもしれませんが、多分実体験で経験している人が結構いると思うので、また皆様のお声を頂けたらと思います。ちなみに私は「揃えようとすると逆に揃いません」😂

#Sashiko #刺し子


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February 18, 2023 at 10:08PM

I would like to keep this account as “Sashiko Story”, where you can read & watch the Sashiko we practice instead of a “Sashiko Business” Account. Therefore, I prefer to write a story rather than an announcement. Well… at the same time, thinking about “Business” is important to keep it sustainable. Periodically, please let me share our Business Account @Upcyclestitches for the latest update (which I don’t write so often… I focus on sharing stories here).

I will be out of the office starting 2/21 to 2/25 next week. If you would like to receive an order by next weekend or so, please place the order by 2/20. After that, I will process it after I come back from QuiltCon. I appreciate your understanding – I do all of the shipping process with my own hands.

It may be too “spiritual” for some, but I strongly believe in the “invisible” power – like energy, Qi, Reiki… you name it. I often get a suggestion to “outsource” the shipping & packing process. However, I would like to keep it the way I pack the orders with my own hands – while wishing that the customer would enjoy it. It is my sign of appreciation – and I hope that some may feel the same by me doing so.

For the Japanese, this “invisible energy” was something ordinary. In Japanese, when translating “treat the wound”, we say “手当てする (Teate)” – which can mean “Put Hands On” by following the Kanji Character. I am always inspired by hand-work – so I try my best to apply “hand” to many of my “ordinary” activities. Sashiko can be powerful because of this – all hand-made, with something invisible (for many, but may be visible for some).





来週2月21日から5日間ほど、出張に行って参ります。刺し子のお仕事を頂いての出張なので、SNSは引き続き更新できるかと思います。Youtubeでの配信はお休みさせて頂いて、もしかしたらここで少し配信をするかも…という感じです。

また今回も沢山の刺し子に興味がある方々とのご縁を頂けそうです。いつも通り、全力で、私が持つ全てをお伝えしてこれたらと思っています。一針ずつの刺し子ですが、一針を綺麗にするだけじゃないぞ…と。

#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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February 16, 2023 at 09:45AM

In Today’s post, [Japanese Comes First].

20代から講演の機会はちらほら頂いていたのですが、カンファレンスホールで刺し子についての講演を英語でするという未来は見えていませんでした。講演の題材は「刺し子の今と、文化としての持続可能性」と言う、まぁ言葉だけでも面倒な感じのものです。もちろん、これを面白く伝えていくのが私の役目です。「文化はどう続くのか」と言う話をする為に、刺し子の今と昔を比較する必要が出てきて、悩みに悩んで勇気を出して、本も出版されていらっしゃる @sashikonami さんに写真の提供をお願いできないか尋ねたところ、とても丁寧に了承下さいました。んでもって投稿のシェアまで!とてもありがたい話です。

「運針が大切だ!運針会だー!」と限られた日本語分量で日々投稿しているので、どうしても「運針会にご参加頂いた方」と言う小さい空間で刺し子をしているように思われるかもしれません。でも、基本的に、刺し子を実際にされている方全てを先生だと思っているし、友達になりたいと思っています。「運針会」と言う線引きをしているのは、「刺し子好き」と言う人の中には、実際に針仕事としての刺し子が好きではないんじゃないか…と言う人もいて、これまで苦い痛い思いをしてきたから…です。「刺し子が好きと言うより、刺し子をしている自分、あるいは刺し子から得られる実利が好き」と言う方とは、遅かれ早かれズレが発生するのでね。

そんなわけで「運針会にご参加下さった方」を優先として、その居場所を守る活動で手一杯なわけですが、だからと言ってそれ以外の刺し子が嫌いな訳でもないし、ましてや否定などはしておりません。私の好みは激しいですが、「ご自身の刺し子(針仕事)」を持っていらっしゃる方は大好きで、フォローさせて頂くようにしています。とはいえ、インスタグラムが情報収集の場所ではなくなってしまっているので(日々変な人に絡まれる為)、なかなかフォローさせて頂く方は増えないのですが、それでも「あぁ、この人の刺し子、好きだなぁ」と言う方は沢山いて、いつかご挨拶できる日を夢見ています。案外&相当人見知りなんです。

民藝として、生活の中の必須としての刺し子が、手芸として、自己表現として、はたまた作業療法的な役割を持ってきて。過程そのものには正解も間違いもなく、唯一の「間違い」が、ある点を「無かったことにする」と言う文化的な暴力です。私の存在意義は、その暴力への対抗手段としての「共有すること」だと思っています。昔と今。そして各地域&各個人。その点を繋いで今があり、きっと未来に繋がるんです。たかが刺し子ですが、その刺し子には誰かの助けになれる力があります。また同時に、「一人の力は微力かもしれないけれど、決して無力ではない」と言う尊敬する友人の言葉を胸に、1時間弱の短い時間ですが、思いをアトランタに残せたらと思っています。





As I talk about “Cultural Sustainability in/with Sashiko”, I want to share the “flow” of Sashiko. I rarely share someone’s work here, but it doesn’t mean that I do not like others’ work. There are so many Japanese Sashiko Artists/Artisans whom I respect & wish to meet one day. @sashikonami kindly allowed me to use her photos in the upcoming lecture. As you can tell, her Sashiko & our Sashiko aren’t so similar, yet both are very important parts of this culture. Unfortunately, Dualism (in West Culture) is changing the culture more than necessary. I am here to share (to include), not to exclude. Therefore, I think it is fair to ask a Sashiko Teacher to be able to speak Japanese (to communicate with many more Sashiko Artisans in Japan). Sashiko is more than what is introduced/translated in English, and I am here to share “what” is missing.

#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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February 15, 2023 at 09:57AM

I often receive an Interview Request regarding Mending & Sashiko. Nowadays, the interviewer studies my message about Sashiko prior to the first contact, and they ask me the question with the understanding of me saying “Sashiko is NOT the word for Mending itself”.

Mending is a very important part of the Sashiko – but the word Sashiko itself is NOT about mending. In fact, the principal exists in the opposite direction. [They Stitched Sashiko so that They would Avoid Mending]. Sashiko existed to avoid mending – which is completely opposite of celebrating the Mending.

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy Mending for myself, both Visible & Invisible Mending. I understand that many associate Sashiko to their Mending – and some may teach it or publish a book about it. Is it Cultural Appropriation? No, it is just a lack of both “learning (from non-Japanese)” and “sharing (from Japanese)”. It is quite alright when they try to keep learning it – using the word itself isn’t going to cause the pain – ignoring the voice when a person from that culture speak-up is the issue. I really appreciate those who follow this account while telling/calling/teaching/publishing about Sashiko. My message can be quite uncomfortable – but they listen to it. Unfortunately, the trend sometimes/often ignores the voices – and I am just trying to be a stone in the big trend of “Cerebration with Ignorance”.





「刺し子 x デニム」。まだ私が刺し子の職人さんと一緒に仕事をしていた頃に、小言を言われながらも固いデニムに針を通すようになりました。サステナビリティの流行からか、今では刺し子とデニムの組み合わせを探すと、穴の空いたデニムの補修だったり、はたまたツギハギだらけの衣類を作ったりと、様々な解釈がみてとれます。なかなか見つけられないのが、既存の衣類に「穴が開かないようにする為の刺し子」です。弱くなった&破れたから針を持つのではなく、「補修は恥ずかしいから」と針を持つこともあった当時の刺し子をした方々の気持ちも置いてけぼりにはしたくないのです。刺し子をどれだけしても、どう頑張っても布は弱くなるし破れます。今のサステナビリティ信仰では「補修を喜ぶ(楽しむ)」ことが主軸になっていて、もちろんそれが正しいと思うのですが、同時に「補修しか方法が無かった(から補修しないように刺し子をした)」日本人にも思いをはせて欲しいなと思うのです。

#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoDenim #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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February 13, 2023 at 08:45PM

In this account, I am sharing “stories” so that I can somewhat illustrate what Sashiko is. In Workshop & Online Class, I teach the “Core & Essence (the most important element)” in Sashiko. 5 years of experience with positive reviews encouraged me to be confident that anyone can reach the “Sashiko we practice” by practicing with a specific form.

In #Quiltcon 2023, I have an honor to offer a lecture. Unlike just Sharing, or Teaching, I believe the purpose of the lecture is “Delivering the Message”. The title is “Japanese Sashiko Today as Cultural Sustainability” – but I do not plan to talk about only the concerns – I would like to deliver “something” for those who registered to be there. “Acknowledgement” to the stories? “No such a thing as Right and Wrong in Sashiko” as a New Rule? I am spending a good amount of time reflecting on what I am doing by sharing Sashiko.

[I want you(them) to know “The Unknown”]. This is probably the message I would like to deliver. The Sashiko today is built on the lives of so many “Unknown” Artisans – or just ordinary Japanese who happened to stitch. I do not want to ignore them even if they prefer to be anonymous. Not all artists have a chance to speak to the world (via their Art), yet I say I am not the Artist… It is because of these so many “Unknown Craftsmen” who made the foundation of what I am sharing today. “Unknown” doesn’t mean “Non-Existence”, and it is my job now to introduce “Unknown” as indeed Existence hidden in the trend. If you are gonna be in Quiltcon, please come to see how I deliver the message.





ワークショップでもなく教室でもなくパネルディスカッションでもなく。講演という形は久々です。英語で大きな会場は初めてです。「刺し子の今と昔」という切り口から何を伝えることができるのか、悩みまくりです。核になることが決まりました。それは「無名を知る」ということ。刺し子は、というか日本の民藝のほとんどは「無名の職人」によって成り立っています。有名になることは素晴らしいですが、無名を無かったことにしてはいけないのです。だから学び続ける必要があります。どれだけ教える立場になったとしても、その分野をずーっと続けてきた人は何かの本物を抱えていて、常に必ず何か学ぶところがあるのです。続けるってそういうことです。

#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #刺し子


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