Thank you for watching the Live Streaming. I prioritize sharing stories while many others are focusing on selling Sashiko supplies & DIY sets. I have been explaining why I need to prioritize the stories. However, it doesn’t mean that I do not have to worry about making ends meet.
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We all live in different conditions. Some have, and the others do not. It is not my intention to filter people based on what they have or don’t have. Some live in wealthy countries. Others do not. Some understand my language, the others do not. While we aren’t equal in different conditions, I try my best to be as fair as possible.
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So, if you can, please be mindful of what you do (choose, learn, purchase and support). I am not saying everyone should purchase Sashiko supplies from us. As I wrote above, everyone is in different conditions. However, I try my best to be competitive after paying all the responsible fees (such as Tax) and as sufficient amount as possible for suppliers/artisans. I understand if you choose other suppliers based on your convenience. However, if you choose others, do not spread your choice here as if I recommend them.
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I sincerely appreciate your support. All the links are available from the profile & I try my best to update the business in @upcyclestitches (Although I prioritize stories more). Please be respectful & considerate even in different conditions. (The direct support is available on Patreon.)
Sometimes, I see a phrase saying “Japanese don’t have (state) opinions”. This isn’t true. Well, it may end up with looking like we do not have opinions. However, it doesn’t mean that we do not have any voices. In Japanese language, the verbs come toward the end of a sentence. Therefore, we need to listen & imagine what they are saying in order to make a good discussion. On the other hand, in English, I often see a discussion talking “over” the counter party’s statement. This is something I really need to learn in the U.S. to “win” the argument – mostly for my daughter.
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If Sashiko is a western cultural practice, this “winning” is important. However, since it is Japanese word, it carries Japanese essences – which is, here, a quiet and calm discussion to understand each other – not to make others silent. The pain I often describe comes from here. I feel as if “something” is suppressing my emotion & voice. I believe there are millions of those who feel similar. When we talk about Sashiko, unfortunately, I do not need opinions (I appreciate the feedback, but opinion on what they think of Sashiko isn’t irrelevant without proper understanding). However, when a privileged group say “I do not discuss opinions about Sashiko (or any other cultural practice)”, then it becomes the Cultural Issues. I still cannot believe it, but there are people who consider our voices as “opinions” – it isn’t an opinion, it is the identity.
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先日の配信で「刺し子、なんでも良いと思ってますよ〜」と軽い感じでお伝えしたのですが、これは日本語だから言えることなんです。同じ「何でも良い（Whatever is fine)」ですが、言語と文化によって、全く違う意味合いが生まれ、違う結果になったりします。面倒なことを書いている感じはしますが、日本国内でもっともっと刺し子が広まってくれれば良いなと思っている一人です。
My old phone’s battery just gave up. So, I replaced it. I stopped Instagram Live Streaming for many reasons a year ago, and one of them was problems with my phone. So, I tried the new one. It worked fine, and many new features surprised me. Since it works, I will do Live Streaming both on Instagram & Youtube.
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Youtube is for more “Theme” based Live Streaming with dates planned, specifying the language I speak. Instagram, no theme, no topics, no language specification, and no schedule. I will do it when I feel like it. I may bring someone in, or I may do it by myself. My goal is to “leave” all the living voices of Sashiko so that someone can refer to them in the future. I hope the live streaming will be part of that.
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If you would like to jump into the Live & Talk with me, DM me. I only accept them when I know them.
The world is getting more sensitive to Cultural Issues: and I am learning a lot about what “Cultural Appropriation” is. My message is simple, though. Please (keep) learn(ing) when they speak about their foriegn culture. Is it too much to ask? Unfortunately, for some of them, it is.
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I often find a definitive phrase saying“Sashiko is ◯◯” while I do not find the similar phrase in Japanese so often. I don’t question them anymore because I learned their phrases are based on the interpretation of someone non-Japanese – they talk based on the 2nd-source. However, when I see a new phrase, I try to be as humble as possible and ask for their wisdom. I dare not say I know everything about Sashiko. There may be a non-Japanese who have documentation to validate their saying.
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In 2019, I read a phrase, “Learn the Basic Sashiko technique (established) from the Edo period”. No one around me knows when “the Basic of Sashiko” was established. So, I asked him/her for the documentation. The reply was just astonishing: “I do not engage in any discussion with your opinion”. They clearly ignored the voice, and filtered the culture for their convenience (business or exhibition) by their privilege. I get a LOT of comments with worry about C/A. I am happy to offer individual consultation if that’s a good solution. However, here is a very clear line – “If you worry, then you don’t have to worry so much.” The C/A I am fighting is those who intentionally ignore & never learn the practice, yet use the word for their profit. English is my second language. I try to make it as simple as possible.
Workshop Registration for the QuiltCon 2022 is just around the corner (August 4th 10 am EDT – for MQG members). I have heard that the registration goes really fast. I hope you can catch what you want. In this QuiltCon 2022, I will be teaching 2 workshops. (1) Core & Essence, which is all time standard, and (2) Application & Practice, in which I will walk through the projects with the participants who took the Core & Essence workshop. For the differences, I made a blog article (https://ift.tt/37gHNHu). I hope to meet you there, and see you again there.
*”Application & Practice” has the prerequisite of “Core & Essence”.
【Workshop】
Please search the workshop via Code or my name “Atsushi”.
Code: QHA001Thu
Sashiko: Core & Essence
Thursday, February 17, 2022
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM MST
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Code: QHA001Fri
Sashiko: Core & Essence
Friday, February 18, 2022
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM MST
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Code:QHA005
Sashiko: Application & Practice
Saturday, February 19, 2022
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM MST
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General Registration opens on August 19th. However, if you are planning to visit Phoenix & Quiltcon 2022, I recommend the membership for MQG. It is a great event. I hope to meet & see you there.
The first Online Lecture (Webinar) I offered in a closed group setting was a great success. I am now preparing for the lecture on Sashiko for both in-person & Online. It is NOT a workshop or class to teach the technique. It is more like a “Story-Sharing” in a presentation style. Although I have so many stories to share, the messages can be summarized into several topics. In order to offer an enjoyable (Online & In-person) Lecture, I would like to understand which story resonates with them, or inspires them the most.
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Could you please comment here if you have a specific story, concept, mindset, or any writing I have done here that was powerful enough for you to keep it in your memory? I share so many stories that I cannot locate when & where I shared. However, I can write the same story again over and over.
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As I did not know what to teach in 2017 because everything was so ordinary to me, it is challenging for me to understand which story is “better” for non-Japanese audience. Your feedback will help me to develop a lecture, or even Youtube videos. Thank you for your time in advance!
It is my sincere pleasure to announce that I will be teaching again in the QuiltCon as a faculty. QuiltCon 2022 Sashiko Workshops will be offered as a part of QuiltCon 2022 in Pheonix, Arizona between February 16th to 20th (https://www.quiltcon.com/).
Thanks to many positive feedbacks that we had received in 2020, I can offer 2 kinds of Workshops in Quiltcon 2022. In this blog, I explain what is the contents of these 2 choices in QuiltCon 2022 Sashiko Workshops – Sashiko: Core & Essence and Sashiko: Application & Practice.
*The Registration for the Quilcton 2022 will open for MQG members on August 4, 2021, at 10 a.m. EDT. For General Registration, it will be available on August 19, 2021 at 10 a.m. EDT. To get detail information & description about the workshop on interactive catalogue, please search the class by my name “Atsushi” or “Sashiko“. I do not offer Boro workshop.
Sashiko: Core and Essence
In 6 hours of the workshop, I want you to learn the Core & Essence of Sashiko Stitching. I will go over a history, terminology, and the technique of how to use unique tools with one of the core essences of Sashiko – Unshin (運針).
This is a learning opportunity rather than a “let’s do sashiko together” workshop. Therefore, participants may go through some challenging phase to learn something new. In 6 hours of intensive stitching practice, you will be able to achieve the Unshin that you may have seen on Youtube.
Sashiko isn’t about making one perfect stitch. It isn’t also about embracing the inperfection. It is about communicating to the fabric by moving your needle at your own “rhythm”. This is the workshop of Sashiko’s Core & Essence.
While your practice, I will share many Sashiko Stories. Sashiko is more than just a technique (I will of course teach you techniques to make stitches even & beautiful).
With following some of my SNS Sashiko Stories and Youtube, this will be a memorable & eye-opening experience for you.
This workshop is the must workshop to continue learning from Atsushi & Upcycle Stitches. It is mostly the same contents to the other In-person Workshops (6 hours length) as well as the Online Sashiko Class. If you have taken the other In-person Workshops or Online Sashiko Class, you do NOT need to take this class again. Of course, it is your choice to repeat the same class, but please be advised that the contents will be very similar. If you would like to have the refresh of the workshop, please contact Atsushi with the email address you have taken the first class. I can offer some support.
Sashiko: Application and Practice
*Prerequisite: Sashiko Workshop (Core & Essence). Online & Other full-length in-person workshop can be used as the prerequisite as well as the “Sashiko Mastery Class” from QuiltCon 2020. It is perfectly fine to take the Sashiko: Core & Essence Workshop in QuiltCon 2022
I believe the Sashiko Workshop (Core & Essence) conclude my Sashiko teaching. Therefore, I do not offer the “advanced” Sashiko Workshop anymore. The workshop Core & Essence Is the ending of my teaching about Sashiko’s Core, and it is the beginning of your Sashiko. However, I receive many request to organize the workshop to encourage & inspire the continous Sashiko stitching with the core they learned.
This workshop, Sashiko: Application & Practice, is the workshop where I will walk you through how we can apply the Sashiko stitching to what you may enjoy more. I will teach some non-Sashiko related contents to enrich your Sashiko journey as welll.
As I wrote above, “Sashiko: Core & Essence” is the prerequisite for this class. I will only briefly review the Unshin in this class. Therefore, without taking those 6 hours of practicing, this workshop (Application and Practice) may be extremely uncomfortable. Please, please consider taking the Sashiko: Core & Essence before taking this workshop even if you have more than 30 years of experience in Sashiko. This workshop is NOT “advanced” – more like a “Let’s have fun together” with the core & essence I have shared – which is going to be fun because it is the first step to make the Jacket below in future (We will NOT make the Jacket like below in the workshop. However, I will be able to share how we make it with the core you have learned).
Some participants work on their Denim with Sashiko Stitching. This Application & Practice Workshop will be a great opportunity to learn that as well.
I will see you there in Phoenix
I have workshop from morning to the evening everyday. After the workshop, each day, I plan to enjoy the Quilt Exhibition in the main area. You may be surprized… but I am pretty shy. So if you see me walking, please say “Hi” to me. Unless I am running to the workshop, I will be happy to share our Sashiko with you there.
10 years have passed since we joined a Earthquake Disaster Recovery Project with Sashiko, so called Otsuchi Sashiko Project (@ootsuchisashikoproject). Earthquake & Tsunami wiped away many precious things from the town. It is a project to mend, strengthen, and “make it beautiful again” with Sashiko. It is our sincere honor to be part of this project for 10+ years.
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On the 10th anniversary, we decided to make something memorable. I share/teach “Sashiko” online in Japanese as well – and we all are part of “Ibasho” that I am trying my sincere best to make & protect. With a total of 64 people, we made this big piece. All hand-stitched. Keiko connected all of them to connect them to one – like a flower, or like hands with praying with “En 縁 & 円”. It is an on-going project with many rising Sashiko artisans. Sashiko isn’t in the past yet. It is still alive… so please do not ignore the voices from Japanese people for someone’s convenience.
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*I so wished to involve my Sashiko friends outside of Japan with this project. However, due to Covid-19 & shipping logistics, I had to prioritize the date to complete. I will involve you (graduates of my class/workshop) for the next possible project.
In the last 2 years, I believe I have never had any nasty arguments with anyone who came to me to learn Sashiko. Some are professionals in textile. Some are teachers of crafting – even Sashiko. There are so many reasons I keep saying: “Sashiko (introduced/taught) in English is NOT wrong, but insufficient”. And the “students” in my Online Class or In-person workshop realize how our mindsets (Western & Japanese) are different.
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To be honest, it is quite easy to be a Sashiko Teacher. I offer only “One (Core & Essencial)” class. It is simply because my teaching concludes there. Yes, I sometimes arrange the workshops, but it is more “Application” like saying let’s enjoy Sashiko together. Therefore I ask. Please be mindful of whom you are learning from. Some give me interesting feedback – that they have to “unlearn” all of the things they had learned, in order to stitch like we do. The value & mindset one has is valid & respected. Getting better in controlling the needle to make even stitches & stitching faster isn’t wrong at all. However, they have to understand that Sashiko is from their foreign culture & therefore, there is a completely different mindset & value there. It took 5 years for me to realize how & what I am teaching. Now, I am pretty confident that I can finally “teach” Sashiko. It was an “eye-opening” workshop even in 2017 (when I started teaching in English). Now, I can promise to help you to open another box – which is deeply linked to the Japaneseness in stitching. Sashiko is more than techniques in the trend.
On August 13th and 14th, I will be visiting Pittsburgh for the first time. A long-established Gallery & Studio, Contemporary Craft (@sccpgh), invited me as a visiting artist/artisan. It is always a great honor to be a part of a nonprofit organization where I can be a small contribution to the Art & Crafting Society. The Full-Day Workshop on 14th is fully booked at this point. However, the lecture is open to the public. I will bring many Sashiko & Boro pieces I own & make. Visitors can touch, feel and “experience” the fabric I always talk about here.
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For the lecture registration, please visit their Eventbrite Page (https://ift.tt/37367N7). I believe they prepared the waiting list for the Sashiko Workshop. If you are interested in coming, please DM me. I will try to contact them to see what the options are.
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I won’t be talking about anything new in the lecture. If you are a long-time follower, it will be the same message & stories you have heard. However, it is very important for me to repeat, and especially in the “lecture” setting. I hope to see/meet you there.
