Author: atsushijp

Thank YOU for mentioning this account here and there. If you are new & here, please read what I write instead of what you think I write. I sometimes bring up the topic of “Cultural Appropriation” – but it is NOT my intention to limit your creativity & fun. I want anyone to call their stitching Sashiko (if they want to), and therefore, I ask them to learn what Sashiko is instead of following the ignorance in trend, or worse, indifference for someone’s profit.
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I teach Sashiko Class both Online & In-person. I believe I am offering some kind of “Paradigm Shift” there – not only (but of course) the technique and design, but also philosophy & how Japanese approach(ed) to Sashiko. That being said, my goal is to pass down our Sashiko – so I share pretty much everything on here, Youtube, Patreon… everywhere I can think of & work on. I even encourage them to share/copy/imitate, or even teach what I do/say. Only thing I ask is to identify the sources (=upstream) – where they get “it” from.
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We “share” things to make a living. Analogy. I share my wisdom as I would share “a river” in front of me. I may use it for cleaning dishes while letting children play in the water – or we may catch fishes together for a day. There are millions of ways to use (appreciate) the river, yet I must tell children where this river comes from. When we ignore (neglect to acknowledge) where “it” comes from, then we may not have the same “it” tomorrow. The same thing goes to a culture – as there are millions of rivers in this world, there are numbers of Sashiko in Japan. But, well therefore, please learn the Sashiko which identify & respect where it comes from. Speaking of our Sashiko, you just need to mention this account as I will be responsible for sharing the stories of “upstream” of our Sashiko. But, your “sharing” will be the biggest help to sustain this culture. Thank You! (thanks @geri_in_stitches & @exhaustedoctopus for tag me!)
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4月の展示会＆オフ会、多くの方のお力を借りて着々と形になっております。展示会には「皆様と一緒に作った作品」も運針会プロジェクトに限らず展示する予定です（作品制作に関わって下さった方には別途ご案内メールをお送りする予定です）。日本には各地にそれぞれの刺し子が存在し「みんな違ってみんな良い」を体現しているのではないかと思うのです。だからこそ一つの答えに固執するのではなく、沢山の刺し子を知って頂きたいなと。そういう私もまだまだ勉強の身でございますので、自戒の念も込めて。
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Today’s Story is a bit personal – I remember a very powerful statement one teacher told me in my school: [If we have a moment (1%) of laughter with warm food, we can go through the 99% of miserable moments]. My Philosophy and principles are based on this phrase. Therefore, the first thing I did when I visited Otsuchi (for the Sashiko Recovery Project after Earthquake & Tsunami) was to cook a warm meal to the staff.
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I don’t have much to offer to my wife (she is the breadwinner in a household), but I make a rule to make her laugh at least once a day – not 100% success rate, but I try. The same rules apply when I offer Sashiko Workshop. I try my best to make it “funny”. Sometimes, I receive a review focusing on my joke rather than Sashiko… which is, well, very appreciated. Naturally, my personal “dream” is to stand on the stage as a “comedian” – which I am scared of, and not happening as it is “dream” yet. Regardless, I like people laughing a lot, and I believe it is how we can go through difficulties.
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On SNS, I try to be as “difficult” as possible so that I can achieve the goal of passing down the Sashiko as a part of Japanese culture – rather than just a technique or design. It is a part of Cultural Sustainability, and if you do not receive any reply from me, please search for the answer. It is usually there, very easy to find, as I usually answer when I receive a question for asking answers with the necessity of explanation. I am not here to offer “Instant Gratification/Satisfaction” – I want you to laugh, smile, and enjoy Sashiko together with us. I intend to keep this style although I understand it is much easier to adjust Sashiko to Western Culture (like others do). However, to have a good 1% moment of laughter & warm food for everyone in Sashiko, I will keep sharing what I can do.
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中学生の時の恩師が卒業式で残した言葉が、今でも強く残っています。「人はほんの少しの笑いと温かいご飯があれば、どんなに辛くても前を向いて歩ける」というものです。その後の25年の人生で、この言葉を噛み締めることは何度もあり、今でも温かいご飯を作ることは何よりも大切にしているし、家庭内でも、できれば他の皆様と触れ合う場所でも「笑い」を大切にしたいと思っています。様々な笑いがあり、好みもあると思いますが、個人的には「笑われる」のも「笑わせる」のもアリだと思っています。ナシだと思うのは「薄っぺらい満足感（表面的な笑）」です。刺し子に関しても、色々考えて、笑って生活の一部にして欲しいなと思うのです。腹抱えて笑いながら刺し子ができるなんて最高じゃないですか。そんな空間を作り、また維持できたらなと思っています。
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[Warp and Weft] – in Japanese, [Tateito & Yokoito]. It is common sense to fabric lovers that fabrics are woven with Warp and Weft. Wapr itself won’t make it fabric, and vice versa. Our days are similar, in my understanding, so is culture.
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An example. Let’s say that culture is “woven” with “Warp and Weft”. Warp is like the chronological time-line from Past, Present and Future. Weft is like our “relationship” as family, friends, and communities. By combining both, we can sustain our days. Not only focusing on the past, present and future. Not only focusing on the “fun time” with related others. However, when a trend may sometimes introduce only “Weft side” as if Warp will always be there. In most cases, Warp as historical stories would continue, but in this Internet world – we also need to pay attention to the significance of Warp – that’s what I named as “Cultural Sustainability” – the Video is available from my profile.
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Sashiko is a stitching to add thread (stitches) to those “Warp and Weft”. Therefore, before teaching what Sashiko is, one has to learn what “Warp and Weft” are for Sashiko, even in analogy or examples. My voice isn’t loud. The trend is much stronger. Some say it is too late (and I agree with them if I expect to do so with no pain). But I am willing to spend all of my life to keep the beautiful Japanese fabric – as a result of our/your own warp and weft – to call it Sashiko.
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思春期真っ只中にみた「聖者の行進」（ドラマ）。内容が過激だったのもあって主題歌の素晴らしさに気がつくのは、少し後になってからで。刺し子と真剣に向き合うようになり、布とは何かを改めて考えるようになり、「糸」という歌の歌詞の素晴らしさにも感動して。「縦の糸はあなた、横の糸は私…」その続きが思い出せない人は、是非ググってみて下さい。布って、糸ってそういうもんなんだろうなと妙に納得できるはずです。
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経糸と緯糸。布はどちらか片方だけでは成立しません。刺し子はすでに存在する経糸と緯糸に「糸を足す」針仕事です。「糸で作る（仕立てる）」だけじゃなく、また「糸で彩る（刺繍する）」だけでもなく、糸を加えます。布と向き合う段階で既に、また針と糸を通して刺し子をする段階では十分に、縦と横のバランスは見えているから針が進めるわけで。
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文化や人の営みも、この経糸と緯糸のような「仕合わせ」によって成り立っていると思っています。私のイメージですが、緯糸が「刺し子を一緒に楽しむ友達の繋がり」だとすると、経糸は「過去現在未来という時系列の繋がり」、つまりは「受け取り受け渡す繋がり」だと思っています。両方ないと仕合わせは成り立ちません。違っても良い。同じじゃなくていい。ただ、頂いたご縁は大切にして、画一的に緯糸だけで良いやと決めつけないように刺し子をしていきたいものです。
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I had a great talk session with @quilt.buzz. The episode is up on the air. As the interviewers learned what Sashiko is for us in advance of the talk session, the content is quite rich to understand what Sashiko is (for us). It may be quite different from what majority of people in English have heard about Sashiko – but this is one side of the stories & what it is, spoken by Japanese who have been actually stitching Sashiko for a while.
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This may sound a bit arrogant, but I don’t think “Any Publicity is a Good Publicity”. The statement would be true when my goal is to get attention & monetize the flow. However, as my focus is trying to protect “Cultural Sustainability”, publicity has to be somewhat comprehensive. I agree that Culture Changes overtime. I just want it to be “Change”, not ignorance & indifference. Therefore, it is very important to know who is interviewing me. If an interviewer/writer/film-maker has their own message before they talk to me, then the stories will not be comprehensive – and end up encouraging ignorance instead of change. I really appreciate those who wish to learn Sashiko to have me for their media, and this “difficulty” is the reason that this account has so many posts, yet not so many publications on the 3rd party media. I am here, though. I am a real person with actual stitching as the ordinary. I hope you enjoy the podcast on Quilt-Buzz.
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あまりメディア露出には積極的ではないのですが、時々しっかりと私の伝えたい刺し子を学んで下さった上で（ワークショップを受講頂く等して頂いた後で）、取材等のご依頼を頂くことがあります。今回のオーディオ番組もその一つ。既に「（私にとっての）刺し子とは」という核になるところは学んで頂いた上で、初めての方でもストレスなく楽しんで頂けるようなポッドキャストになっていると思います。英語ではありますが、是非お聞き頂けたら嬉しいです。
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「英語と刺し子」という、まぁとんでもなく不思議な組み合わせで人生を組み立てている訳ですが、学生時代に必死になって「英語を勉強」して、「英語で勉強」する留学に至った後でも、ずーっと英語力不足には悩んでいました。当時は絶対に必要ないと思っていた日本への知識や思いが、今では英語力への不安を塗りつぶすほどの力を発揮してくれています。一番大切なのは「何を話すか」ということ。もちろんある程度の基礎能力は必要でしょうが、どれだけ言語能力が高くても話す内容が薄っぺらかったら本末転倒という話なんだろうと思います。まだまだ下手な英語で、発音も中途半端、文法に至ってはぐっちゃぐちゃですが…それでもこれだけの方が興味を持って聞いて下さることに感謝しつつ、私なりの社会への還元ができたらと思っています。「英語に興味があるけれど、何を話していいか不安でわからない」という刺し子好きな方へ、その一歩を踏み出す勇気を共有できる場所を作り続けたいと思っています。（毎月英語で刺し子の集まりをやっているのでご参加ください！！）。
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We now enjoy the “antique” side of Boro – some pieces of Boro are nicely exhibited in museums, or sold in the big antique market as “Art”. This is a very interesting phenomena, and I agree with the beauty of Boro. However, I feel the need to share the Stories of “Boro” and Sashiko. (Boro & Sashiko aren’t techniques in comparison – it is more like “Same” on the same time-line).
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A few hundreds years ago, some Japanese had to stitch for their survival. It was often a necessity, not a choice. We appreciate the outcome of this “Out of choice” in a society where “Freedom of Choice” is the standard. It is culture – and the culture should change. And THEREFORE, I would like to share the stories & “techniques” to lead us to the stories to preserve Sashiko & Boro. By following the stories, we may be able to leave something behind for those who find our work beautiful in 2213 – about 200 years from now. When we ignore some of the stories in this long history, then we won’t be able to keep this sustainable for another 100 years. In a society where everyone can be connected over the Internet, everyone is a part of “making a choice”. I really appreciate you being here & listening to the stories. Although what I do isn’t the main stream of “Sashiko” and “Boro” unfortunately, I will keep trying my best to share stories so that I can be proud of myself in 200 years from now.
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刺し子をお伝えするようになり「線引きをする必要はあるんだろうか」と強く意識するようになりました。日本語での結論を先に言うと、絶対的な線引きの必要性はないと思っています。私の好きな日本文化の一つに「曖昧さ」があります。曖昧が姿を変えると優柔不断となったりリーダーシップが無いと言った良くない側面が前面に出てしまうのですが、逆に「曖昧のまま」前に進めるというのは、日本的で素晴らしいなと思うようになりました。刺し子も襤褸も、その「曖昧さ」の中で培われてきたように思います。
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私が普段使う言葉の中に、「日常」というものがあります。簡単に使っている言葉ですが、この日常は人それぞれ、十人十色で違ってきます。同じ日本人でも、当たり前ですが、日常は違います。その違いを雑にまとめて、曖昧なまま「日本の日常」として前に進めることができるのが素晴らしい所で、「じゃぁ日常とはなんだ？」と突き詰めて考えるところまでは良いとして、その後の「日常とは何かという定義付けをしよう」というところまでは行ってほしくないのです。選択肢となった刺し子の中で、刺し子をされる方一人一人の「日常」と向き合って、単純に楽しんで欲しいなというのが願いです。極論を言えば「芸術家の家庭に育った方」にとっては芸術が日常な訳で、刺し子が芸術になることすら日常の範疇に入るのです。線引きが必要なのは、それが言語を超えた時。このアカウントの存在意義は、その「一線を飛び出した後の線引き」を模索することなんだろうなと思っています。
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I often enjoy Sashiko with Indigo Dyed Cotton Fabric & White Thread. This combination has been introduced as “Tradition”, and some think that I am trying to “protect” this tradition by denying the on-going change. They say I am stubborn – one even accused me of being an obstacle to “their” creativity. Well… please let me know if you find any articles or videos that say it is NOT okay to use colorful threads and fabrics. There are no problems or concerns with using any colors in Sashiko like the photo today. This is the recent work by Kieko. The reason I use Indigo Dye Fabric & White threads aren’t so sublime. It is more practical & ordinary: I just feel comfortable with Indigo & White.
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I like (French) Fries with Ketchup. I understand that there are many dipping possibilities like Mustard, Ranch, you name it. While watching the show “Prison Break”, I learned that dipping (soaking) fries into a milkshake is one option. Derrick had it so attractively. I tried it once. I enjoyed the taste of Fries with Milksahek, but it didn’t become my ordinary. After so many years, I still prefer Ketchup.
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For me, “Indigo & White” is like Fries and Ketchup. It makes me feel easy & satisfied. Trying something new is great and entertaining, yet we often come back to the “ordinary choice”. Here, the ongoing trend of Sashiko & Boro can be like Fries & MilkShake. It may be ordinary for some people, and that’s great. However, it is NOT the answer for how to eat fries. I just like Ketchup, and hopefully I would like to keep this option to the next generation by sharing how good they are. What I do isn’t so extraordinary – I am just trying to protect our ordinary from someone who uses our ordinary for their benefit (convenience).
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「藍染め布に白い糸の幾何学模様」が伝統的な刺し子とされているようです。個人的には伝統的とかあまり考えたことはなく、ただ単純に「藍染め布と白い糸と幾何学模様」の組み合わせが好きなのです。考えなくても失敗しないですし、変に気を使わなくても良いですし。ただの好みの話です。ですから「カラフルな刺し子は間違っている」なんていうのは一言も今まで言ったことはないはずです。色を上手に使う刺し子に憧れたこともあるし、デザイン要素が強い刺し子を試してみたいと思うこともあるのですが、やっぱり慣れた場所が一番です。海外旅行は素敵ですが、家に帰ってお味噌汁を飲むとほっとする感覚なんだと思います。たまには私も冒険はするんですけどね。刺し子の本質を考えながら、様々な色を楽しんでもらうのが一番の刺し子の姿だと思っています。
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You may have heard someone saying, “Oh, you don’t need to use the(a) thimble in Sashiko”. This is a true statement. In Sashiko, no one “needs” to use anything if that’s their preference. However, it can be quite risky to “teach” a cultural practice based on their “preference”. Here is another analogy. 

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When we cook, we can cut ingredients without cutting-board. However, the cutting board will protect our hands, the counter top, and help us to cook “better”. Of course, one can choose NOT to use it, but if one teaches about cooking, “You don’t need to use a cutting board in cooking” as if they know the whole picture of cooking can be very dangerous. For me, the cutting board is the thimble we use. We need the knife to cut no matter what – as we need a needle to stitch. There are so many kinds of knives to cut different ingredients, so are the needles. 

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The point of this analogy is that there are reasons & stories why cutting boards exist. We can ALWAYS find a cutting board in a store’s kitchen section. There are reasons for the thimble we use. I teach how to use the thimble, but never “force” them to keep using it after the class (I force them to use it in the class). Yet, many students keep using the thimble just because it makes sense & better in experience of the Sashiko you see here. “Choice on Preference” is great & should be respected. However, a “teaching” shouldn’t be based on someone’s preference mainly because these “preferences” can be the outcome of ignorance/indifference. Learn how to use the thimble. Try to feel the difference. Then, they can choose based on their preference. There is a HUGE gap between [I don’t (use it)] and [I can’t (use it)]. 

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英語で刺し子を教えるようになり、「ゆびぬき」について深く考えるようになりました。当たり前すぎて考えなかったことです。運針をお教えする中で「なぜ指貫が必要なのか」もお話しできるようになりました。運針会中は指定の指貫の強制を致しますが、その後は刺し子をされる方の自由です。それでもずーっと使い続けられているのは、それだけの存在理由があるからです。「刺し子に指貫なんていらない」という好みは真実ですが、それを正解として英語で書かれてしまうと、それは指貫が必要な私達を置いてけぼりにする文化の捻じ曲げだなぁと思うのです。また配信で、上記に英語で書いた「指貫とまな板」の比較のお話をしますね。好みは良いんです。ただ、教える時は好みだけじゃ駄目。「できるけれど使わない」と「使えない」にはとんでもなく大きな差がありますから。

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Hitomezashi (一目刺し) can be roughly translated to “One Stitch Sashiko” – we use the same posture & concept of running stitch there, yet it focuses on the outcome of stitches size determined by Grid we determine even before stitching. The Sashiko I often practice over the camera has very little control in the size of stitches. My conscious isn’t the first one to decide the stitches – it is the “Rhythm” and “something what fabric & needle tells me to do”.
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Regardless, Sashiko is beautiful because of these “each” stitches. Hitomezashi, such as the one on Fukin (White Cloth), is now popular because of its mesmerizing outcome. Although I share many stories here from a “Cultural” perspective… and although I often say Sashiko is NOT the Art… it can fascinate people by just “outcome” – the stories & the fact that we stitch all by hand are good additional spices to that. For that, anyone can/should enjoy Sashiko regardless of any differences. All I am asking is to “acknowledge” that there are stories & people behind the word in this challenging time when we can find any “answers” we want by ignoring inconvenience.
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About 2~3 years ago, I came across the fascinating & beautiful Sashiko Jacket by Geri (@geri_in_stitches). Sashiko on White Fabric with Red Thread – it is outside of my “comfort”, yet I couldn’t stop watching it imagining I would like to see the jacket in person one day (as my wife is from where she lives now, I believe). Later, I had the honor of her taking my Online Class & I am so happy to see her continuous Sashiko. I have many friends (ex-students) like her all over the world – and that confirms to me that anyone can enjoy Sashiko. Well, on top of Sashiko, her account is SO MUCH fun to follow – and very inspiring for many sewing addicts. Thanks, Geri.
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お金を頂いて刺し子を教えているので、結果的に先生と生徒というご縁を頂いた人等とのやりとりが中心になります。運針会の後は友達関係になれたらなと思って活動はしていますが、どうしても閉鎖的になってしまうのは否めません。これは仕方ない。ただ、それ以外の人等の刺し子に感動しないという訳では決してありません。日本国内外に関わらず沢山の「憧れの人」がいます。上記英語で紹介した方もその一人。最初に見かけた時に「（こんなにさせる人がいるんだと）ぎゃー」と思い、その後私のオンラインクラスに登録して下さってもう一度「ぎゃー」となり。彼女の白地に赤色の一目刺しのジャケットは、一度直接拝見したい作品の、沢山いらっしゃる方々の沢山ある作品の一つです。基本一目刺しはあまり好きじゃないですが、人様のを見ると少し嫉妬心も出てくるわけで（笑）
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I say I do not like a trend of associating Sashiko to Zen/Meditation. It is true we can enjoy the meditative outcome by practicing Sashiko. However, as the one who has been thinking about “What is Sashiko?”, I share the stories why Sashiko is NOT so much Zen/Meditation. From one viewpoint – it can be completely opposite.
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The significant difference is the “direction”. Meditation is more like “self-care”, and “Zen” is somewhat like a way to achieve enlightenment (or self-discipline). It is an “inward” direction, and the center of practice is “oneself”. Conversely, Sashiko was(is) a stitching to go an “toward (outward)” direction. The center of Sashiko exists in “they/you”. Of course, a practice can go both “inward & outward” simultaneously – however, without even realizing this difference, teaching Sashiko as “Zen” or “Meditation” is quite dangerous.
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It is important to have a way of self-care. I enjoy meditation (Vipassana), and I absolutely agree with the similar meditative outcome of Sashiko – Sashiko Stitching can heal us. However, as you here listen to my stories, please know that Core of Sashiko exists in the “outward” direction – and we have this word in English – “Prayer”. I don’t know any Sashiko teachers who teach Sashiko as “prayer” yet… because I understand there isn’t much to teach in “praying”. No Right or Wrong in Prayers… right? My hope is to leave “No-One (who developed Japanese Sashiko so far)” behind in this trend. I am pretty sure… those who stitched in Japan many years ago, what they thought in stitching was not an egoistic self-care (or self-realization): It was the well-being of their family & friends. That is why, Sashiko can be powerful in today’s society.
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英語圏での刺し子は頻繁に「禅」や「瞑想」の方法として紹介されます。確かに刺し子をすることで瞑想状態に入ることもありますし、そこから得られる癒しも真実です。ただ、「刺し子＝禅」と定義してしまうことは、大切なことを忘れてしまう結果に繋がりかねません。
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一番の違いは「思いの方向」です。禅や瞑想は「己」を大切にする（律する）為の手段や修行です。逆に刺し子は「布の補強＝誰かの為の針仕事」が元来の姿であり、だからこそ思いは「誰か大切な人を思いやる」という外側に向くものだと思っています。もちろん、この内向き＆外向きは同時進行が可能です。自分を大切にしながら他人を想うことも勿論可能です。ただ、「違いがあると思う」というお話を知って頂くことが大切だなと。日本語では同様のことを思う方はいらっしゃると思うのですが、英語圏でこのような話をしている人は決して多くないので。
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