As I share Sashiko Stories, I love stories (I have been a big bookworm). For me, “reading” is a secretive dialogue to a book & author. In reading, we imagine scenes that the author also may have visualized. When lucky, we can even smell, taste, hear, and actually see “it” in reading. Is it too eccentric? That’s what our brain (imagination) can do. All I am asking in this account is to have the imagination (care, respect, and mindfulness) to the people, culture, and the “ordinary” behind the word, “Sashiko”.
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I believe in the power of stories. At the same time, I know the limitations of stories. As Zen greatly influenced Japanese culture, its teaching of “不立文字 – Fukyumonnji” is important to understand the whole. It is a teaching that, on top of teaching in words (both vocal and writing), it is essential to “practice” it to reach an understanding. In short, “reading” isn’t enough to fully understand the practice. Therefore, I decided to teach Sashiko. Unfortunately, the teaching based on “how precise you can make Sashiko stitching” or “How to be creative by following steps in Sashiko” will not bring to the core of Sashiko. No one measures each “stride length” when they run. They simply put the legs in front of them one by one. Of course, a good teacher is necessary when they want to improve their running. It is normal to run, but in Western culture, this doesn’t apply to Sashiko. Once we focus on “the ordinary”, the result of stitching will be similar, yet very unique. That’s one of the beauties of Sashiko I enjoy.
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2020年の秋に日本に一時帰国する予定でした。お寿司、あずき、お味噌汁。あと、カップ焼きそば（笑）延期により脳内で予定していた美味しいものが食べられなくなって寂しい思いをしたのですが、一番きつかったのが、実は「皆様と一緒に作った刺し子作品」を実際に見る機会が延期されてしまったことだったりします。
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8年近く日本に帰っていません。つまりは配信やインスタグラムで頂いたご縁のほとんどが、ネット上で完結しているものです。実際にお会いしたことがある人はごく僅かです。だからお会いしてご挨拶したかった。ネット上だけの関係なのにも関わらず、これほどまでに似て、尚且つ特徴のある刺し子をしている皆様と、一緒に作品を楽しみたかったなあと思うのです。延期なだけです。必ず一時帰国は実現させます。それまでは写真を拡大しつつ、「運針すげーなー」っと感心し続けたいと思っています。ご協力、本当にありがとうございます。
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