Author: atsushijp

“Teaching” is a great opportunity for teachers to learn what they teach when “Teaching” actually remains the form of “Teaching” instead of transforming to “Entertainment”. (I believe there are different kinds of learning in Entertainment. Entertainment is good. False Advertisement/Presentation is the problem). Conversations with new friends (Sashiko Class participants) are always inspirational & educational to me. The conversation left me some understanding for “why” Sashiko is now in the trend, and unfortunately so simplified.
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We (as human beings today) are desperately in need of “healing”. We are tired of innovation, competition, demand for continuous improvement, demand for pleasing someone, and most significantly, the requirement to pretend to be someone. They find the simplicity of Sashiko’s look & the nature of hand-stitching as the remedy for the issues. As a Sashiko Artisan, I am happy that Sashiko can be someone’s help. I really am. However, we have to understand that there are people who take advantage of these “weaknesses” to their profit. Sashiko will never be a miracle drug to heal us fundamentally. Some of us can heal ourselves by doing Sashiko – but it is more like “by eating, sleeping, and exercising better”.
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This is another reason I say Sashiko introduced in English is insufficient. Some introduce Sashiko as the pain-killer. Some even emphasize the power of the drug by recommending them to not sleep. I say “Sleep is important” to avoid the headache.
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In the Western mindset we live in, ills are something to “fix”, and therefore we depend on medication. The magical power Sashiko has is NOT “fixing” – it is… umm… I cannot think of the word, and therefore I teach. Please learn Sashiko from someone who knows what they are doing. No need to be Japanese or “a master”. The true teachers (in Sashiko) will never say “This is one stop for all”.
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「（刺し子を）教える」ことを生業にして7年が経ちます。毎回教えていて思うのは、「教えること」は教える側にも沢山の学びがあるということです。今回沢山の方とお話をしていて、「なぜ英語圏でこれまでに刺し子が人気になったのか」が分かった気がします。みんな「楽になる薬」を求めていて、刺し子を「薬として売る人」がいたことが理由です。残念ながら刺し子は薬ではありません。強いていえば健康になる寒風摩擦。この違いが私の懸念の根本にあるのだろうなと。また配信で話しますね。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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Another great time in Dumbo, Brooklyn. I appreciate all you took the workshop, visited Loop of the Loom to experience our Sashiko, and talked to me about the passion to take the future Sashiko Workshops after/with the Domestika Sashiko Course. Sashiko often tends to be a lonely job. There are days that I only talk to my family. It is always a good stimulation to meet new people. Although I try to limit the number of workshops I offer so that I can focus on actual stitching, I will try my best to offer the learning experience for you with understanding hosts, like Loop of the Loom and more.
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I received questions about when/if I plan to go back to NYC. As of now, I do not have a fixed plan to offer the workshop in NYC. However, I will do my best to make it happen for Summer 2024 (estimating in August). For the details, please subscribe to the Newsletter on Loop of the Loom (@loopoftheloom). The newsletter from them will be the 1st announcement when it is fixed.
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There are many types/styles of Sashiko. The current trend is a Colorful Hitomezashi on a small white fabric (Sarahi). Sometimes, the large piece like the photo is considered as “Traditional” or even “Old” pieces as they can be seen mainly in museums or in archives. For us, they are neither traditional or old. This is the Sashiko we practice. Sashiko isn’t in the past yet. Please don’t make our Sashiko as “Past”. We are still alive, and we are sharing the way to make it happen.
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無事、NYCでのワークショップを終えることができました。自身への反省点は多々あれど、他の方にご迷惑をかけるような形にならなかったことに安堵の気持ちでいっぱいです。教えていて思うのは、こういった藍染め布に白糸の刺し子は時に「伝統的」と認識され、そのイメージままに「古いもの」として思われている方もいるようで。実際にこういう作品を見る機会が美術館の展示ガラスの後ろだったり、文献レベルの書籍だったりすると、そう思われるのも自然なのかもしれません。作品そのものは伝統的なことには間違いないのですが、「昔」だけのものではありません。現代にも作る人はいるし、私の身近でいえば運針会を通して増えてきてさえいます。伝統的という言葉で、私たちの今を「過去」として欲しくないからこそ、様々な刺し子があるんだということを今後も伝えていけたらなと思うのです。大きい作品へのハードルは高いように見えるかもしれませんが、実際飛んでみると案外＆相当低いです（笑）それを実感してもらえるような「教え方」を磨いていきたいものです。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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Set-up (almost) Completed & Ready for an exciting day of sharing Sashiko. As much as I respect my own time to focus on actual stitching, it is always my pleasure to meet new people who are interested in Sashiko. If you know me in-person (or through Online Sashiko Class), I am not so “difficult” like me being on SNS. I simply enjoy sharing Sashiko for those who are interested. The items are displayed very well, and I realize how unique what we make are. The workshop goes on a whole day (& Sold out), but the Pop-Up Store is open to the public at @ loopoftheloom, Dumbo. 

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I sometimes wonder what if I had a brick & mortar store front – or even a small studio where anyone can visit when they wish. I grew-up in the situation with both studios & store-front. Some of the Sashiko Artisans in Japan who have been stitching for decades know me as a child running around near the “Sashiko Items”. Unfortunately, I do not have enough funding to make the studio or store-front happen for now. However, one day, I hope to have them again.

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Tomorrow is an unique opportunity for those who wish to look/touch what Sashiko we make. I do not have colorful cute Fukins displayed at all… but you can see a lot of Indigo Blue & Boro-To-Be Fabrics. I believe the door opens at 1pm. For the details, please check their website & Account. I will not be available until 5 pm or so… but someone will be there! 

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実に2年ぶりのNYC。今回も素敵な「さをり織り」のスタジオにてワークショップを開催しております。真っ白な壁に作品を展示して頂きました。やっぱり藍染めと刺し子の相性は最高だなぁと思うのです。カラフルなふきんや小物も勿論素敵ですが、これくらい大きい藍染と刺し子の作品も是非見て欲しいなと思うのです。というか触ってほしい。できることなら着てみて欲しい（こういう展示の方法だとなかなか試着は難しいですが）。

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言葉が大好きで、どうしても論理に逃げてしまう私ですが、「作品が持つ無言の説得力」は勿論承知していて、文字通り百聞は一見にしかずなのです。触ったらもっとわかる。着てみたらもっとわかる。そして、「自分で刺し子をして」更に、「使ってみたら」もっともっとわかります。「刺し子とは」という質問への答えは、その無言の説得力の中にあるような気もしているのです。

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


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As I accumulate days & years, I learn the importance of understanding (or even accepting) one’s role. Am I a dancer on the stage? Or a Bassist in the Orchestra? Am I on the side of “Playing”, “Preparing” or “Watching”? This role – where they stand – changes based on the situation & condition. One has to express themselves if they want to be on the stage. It may require some practice – wishing to be on the stage while glaring the performers with envy won’t do much. Regardless, we need to take action, and then the actions will bring us results. Therefore, what I have today is the result of what I have done. I am responsible for the life I have… – I thought life would be like that. However, I no longer blame anyone (including myself) for where they stand & what they (don’t) have.
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The analogy on “stage” is based on the assumption everyone has access to the theater. Yes, it may be a choice if one appreciates the performance periodically. How about if one has never seen the performance? Vise versa, if one despises the performance because they were “forced” to be there? It is different from the “privilege” each one has. Privilege itself isn’t a matter of good or bad – it is just what we have. One may be jealous, but another may find it a curse. It depends on where we stand. Therefore, I do not offer you the answer in Sashiko so easily. I do not want to judge the other Japanese based on what I have & don’t have.
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Yet, I feel the responsibility to share what Sashiko is in English. One result is “Live Streaming” where I can share Sashiko with no editing & modifying. What you get from the Live Streaming as your “impression” is a good way to start understanding/learning Sashiko. I decided to share the “practice” of performance to anyone so that they can find their own role to be with less judgment & restriction.
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もう木曜日！配信の週末が近づいてきて、こうやってあっという間に2024年も過ぎていくのだろうなと。毎日を大切にしよう…なんて当たり前の感想が浮かびます。今週末は超久々にNYCでワークショップです。頑張って写真撮ります（今回はオーナーさんが写真撮ってくれるかも）。運針会の開催も検討できていて、来週は少し宣伝の投稿が増えるかもしれません。運針会、これまで沢山の方に受講頂いていて、一生モノの技術が身についたというお声まで頂いております。運針会前が思い出せないとも（笑）よくよく考えると手品のような話ですが、そんなに難しくないのです。是非刺し子の引き出しを一つ増やして頂けたら幸いです。
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#Sashiko #刺し子


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I often receive a question on “What is a good fabric for Boro?”. Unfortunately, I don’t have the answer to satisfy what they are asking as our understanding of “Boro” is most likely different. However, I do have some recommendations that “can result in” Boro – which we call “Kofu (古布)” – in Japanese, simply “Old-Fabric”.
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Some dealers (including myself) occasionally sell items saying “It is Boro”. The difference between “Kofu” & “Boro” is vague. I would say that Boro is one category of “Kofu”. The Kofu are often a good choice for Boro-to-be projects because the fabric is well used & survived for a long time already. It is so ironic, yet the fabric 100 years ago can have much better quality than the mass-produced fabric today. In order to make a “Boro-to-be (looks like Boro)” piece, the fabric needs to be somewhat “strong” enough to go through wear & tear. So, Kofu is our recommendation & preference.
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However, not all “Kofu” are good for the purpose. If the “purpose” is just to exhibit behind the glass, I guess any Kofu would be fine. However, as a stitcher, there are certain strict criterias that need to go through. Well, “What is Good Kofu for Boro-To-Be” is one lecture/workshop topic, so I do not simplify it here… but the first question you may ask is “Is that Kofu washable (repeatedly)?” Sashiko with Kofu is not the end as “Art” – it is actually the beginning of its new life as fabric for us. Therefore, if the fabric is too damaged, dirty, or fragile for regular usage, it is quite useless. How do we find out? We simply wash it. Sometimes it ends up with losing “fabric” to drain… but it needs to be washed. I often do this over the cold winter: wash repeatedly. There are stories from Sashiko Artisans for “old fabric” too.
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「BORO」という言葉の一人歩きは凄まじく、一般の日本人が思い描く「ぼろ」と、日本を飛び出した「BORO」が描く世界は、全く違うものになりました。この変化はある意味では自然で、「良いか悪いか」は感情的なものだと思うのです。ただ、こういう変化の中で必ず留意すべき点があります。それは「元の場所にいた物語を置いてけぼりにしていないか」です。もっと悪意がある場合は、都合が悪いからと意図的に本来の姿を無視する場合すらあります。だからこそ、刺し子を実際にする一人として声を上げて行かなければと思うのです。
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良い襤褸？それはアートとして？良い古布？そんなん「使える古布」が良い古布に決まっているでしょうよ。洗って刺し子して使って洗ってを繰り返しても大丈夫な古布。見た目”だけ”で価値を決めるのは、実際に刺し子をする観点から見ると、浅い話だなぁと思ってしまいます。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #ぼろ #Boro


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From time to time, I receive positive feedback about my sense of humor. I am merely a Sashiko Artisan… so I don’t have a list of jokes… yet, for me, humor is one of the most important elements of “survival”. In 2011, I learned that we can have hopes, even in desperate conditions, by having laughter & warm foods. Laughing is my “core belief (Shinnen)”, and I make a rule to myself to make my family laugh at least once a day (as a goal).
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[The Office] is my English Textbook, and I respect comedians. If I had another life, it may be my dream to be on stage. While respecting the culture of Comedy, I try not to pursue the humor causing hurt/pain. My dream is humor without hurting anyone… I know it is idealistic yet I believe it isn’t impossible. [The Goes Wrong Show] on BBC is the recent hit for us in terms of this kind of humor.
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A Japanese comedy “Rakugo” as “Story-Telling” is another style of humor without hurting someone much. Rakugo requires “Ochi”… which can be translated as “punch-line” yet not the same in my understanding.
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The more I share Sashiko, the stronger I feel the power of “Stories”. Unfortunately, when a culture is simplified, many stories will be ignored (not-acknowledged). The Sashiko introduced in English today focuses on “Artistic Perspective” too heavily, and as a result they do not carry the stories. Sashiko is more than just “Oh Beautiful” – and I hope that I can keep sharing “Sashiko Stories” with as much humor as possible. I consider my workshop as my “Stage” to perform to “teach everything I have” – so, yes, I may repeat the same joke here and there!!
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人生の1/3程が「英語＞日本語」の日々となりました。我ながら学生時代英語嫌いだったのが信じられませんが、同時に実はまだ英語への苦手意識はあるのです。できることなら日本語で完結したい。その日本語も怪しくはなってきておりますが（笑）。
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英語で刺し子を教えるようになって6年。沢山の良いレビューを頂けているのですが、中には「淳の話が笑える！」という、刺し子じゃなくてお笑い要素を中心としたお声も頂くようになりました。実はとんでもなく嬉しいことで、「笑い」に尋常じゃない程のこだわりを持つ身としては嬉しくて仕方ないのです。今が幸せすぎて考えられないのですが、もう一度全く違う人生があるとしたら、お笑いの世界で生きてみたいなと思う程に。
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「笑い」は人を救います。どれだけキツイ日々でも、99%が絶望でも、1%の中に「笑いと温かいご飯」があれば人はなんとか生きていける。もう聞き飽きたかもしれませんが、私の核にある信念です。なんとか「笑い」にも磨きをかけていきたいものです。
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#Sashiko #刺し子


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In 2023, I focused on my own stitching. It was something necessary for me to rebalance my mission, hope, and even burden. As a result, I kind of neglected my business side activities… and there are quite many updates & announcements I want to make. As this account is mainly for the “Sashiko Stories”, I do not wish to keep posting the announcement for items, product, workshops & such… so if you are interested in Sashiko from a shopping & technical perspective, please also follow the business account @UpcycleStitches . I will share a purchase page for some colors of Sashiko thread like the photo soon (hopefully).
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As I had shared in yesterday’s live streaming, in order to step into deeper explanation of what Sashiko is, I need to be courageous to talk about the “Spiritual” side of Sashiko, which is probably very natural & ordinary for us as Japanese, yet pretty Spiritual in Western Ordinary. As it is always a BAD IDEA to mix “Money” and “Spiritual” (unless the goal is to make a cult), I will focus on “Sashiko Stories” more here than ever. I will try my best to use both accounts here and @UpcycleStitches – so please follow both to get all the updates from me.
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That being said… just one announcement I keep forgetting! I will be in Brooklyn next weekend on Friday (evening) Jan 12th and Saturday 13th for the 1-Day [Core & Essence] Workshop at @loopoftheloom . I cannot remember the last time I had a pop-up store… so it is a rare chance to see what we offer while touching them. Some of the items are going to be available for sale. I will make an official announcement once I know the exact time. I am very happy to be able to be there again!
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本年の最初の配信、愚痴から入ってしまい大反省をしているところなのですが、その後のやりとりで無事ホテルの変更をしてもらい、「やっぱり米国という国では意見を主張しないと駄目なんだなぁ」と。丁寧に失礼がないような抗議であれば後腐れなくお互いにメリットがある形で纏め直せる（セカンドチャンスがある）というのは、この国の本当に素晴らしい所だと思っています。慣れるまでマジでキツイけど。
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そんな配信でもお伝えしましたが、早速2024年、運針会開催のご希望を頂きました。「2月13日（火）午前9時〜午後1時までの4時間弱」で開催できればと思っています。詳細はこちらのブログを一読下さい。（https://sashico.com/?p=4865）。運針は難しくないですし、私は怖くないです（笑）4時間あっという間だったという工夫も重ねていますし、運針に自信を持ちたい方は是非受講を検討下さいませ。希望はDMかリンク先のお問い合わせよりご連絡ください！（写真はビジネスアカウント @UpcycleStitches で紹介する予定の糸です！）
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#Sashiko #刺し子


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There are so many ways to appreciate (enjoy) Sashiko. It is sad to see someone “defining” an answer for Sashiko and limiting the possibility to enjoy more Sashiko. Until one finds “it”, I wish they try as many ways of enjoying Sashiko as possible. I sometimes feel they are missing the most delicious/enjoyable part of “it”… like not hugging Mickey Mouse in Disneyland.
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What scares me the most is that some define the Sashiko based on what they “can” and “cannot”. A discussion about “Kasane” – either to make knots or not – is one of the scary experiences for me. It is perfectly fine to make knots, yet I want them to learn how to NOT make knots if they claim themselves as the Sashiko masters, or before defining the answer for Sashiko for someone else.
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For me, stitching on the “Large piece of fabric” is a delicious part. I can & used to do stitching in small swatches, or even Hana-Fukin. It isn’t just my preference (for now) – instead, for fun, I stitch the large pieces like the Denim. Sashiko can be a form of mending, but it is more than that – and I just do not want to see Culture being limited by someone outside. Please come & join inside of this culture so that we can fully appreciate Sashiko in many ways!
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運針会のお問い合わせを頂きました！2月13日（火）午前9時〜午後1時までの4時間弱で開催できればいいなと思っています。この日程で大丈夫であればDMでもメールでもお問い合わせ下さい。2月6日の同時間も調整検討中です。こちらへのご希望があれば、お問い合わせください。
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刺し子には様々な楽しみ方があると思います。ただ、「どうしても答えは一つじゃないと気が済まない」文化が形成されているアメリカ（英語圏）では、一つの形の刺し子を答えとして他を蔑ろにする傾向があります。結果的に刺し子そのものの幅を狭めてしまうのが嫌で、こうして物語を書き続けいます。
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個人的には「大きな布への刺し子」を、より沢山の人に楽しんで欲しいなぁと思っています。ふきんも刺し子の大切な一部です。カラフルに綺麗に刺し子がされているのを見ると、素敵だなぁと思います。ただ、それだけが刺し子じゃありません。図案が印刷されたふきんの表面をなぞるような刺し子とは違ったところで、大きな布に身を任せるようにぼーっとしながら針が動くようになります。今年の刺し子な福袋にもそんな願いが詰まっています。大きめの布（既成の服）を準備して、図案を移して準備して、ガッツリ刺し子をする。そんな楽しみ方も広がっていって欲しいなぁと。そんな話をしながら、また今年も配信を続けます。本年もどうぞよろしくお願いします。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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Continuously, “Acknowledging the Upstream (in Sashiko)” will be one of the main messages in 2024. To clarify it better, I sometimes write a post (indirectly) accusing those who may have copied Unshin from our videos/posts. Please don’t get me wrong. I am NOT accusing anyone for “copying”. I say [copy it] in the videos. Copying itself is fine. Copying while ignoring the upstream (although they know where it comes from) are the destroyer of culture.
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Before 2016, the videos of Sashiko’s Unshin you see today were non-existent. Today, we can find many videos in non-Japanese language introducing Unshin with middle finger & round (metal) thimble as if it is “the answer” for Sashiko & its Unshin. Interestingly, not so many uploaded in Japanese. The Unshin I share is NOT the answer for Sashiko. There are many other types of Unshin, and there are many Sashiko artisans who have been doing Sashiko for decades, like 50 years.
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I never teach Sashiko saying [What I teach is the “answer”] or “one stop for all”. What I teach is just a station to start a Sashiko Journey. Those who upload the “Copied Unshin” say they taught themselves, by doing so they are missing a very important cultural part of Sashiko.
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In Japan, there are so many types of Unshin. There are so many Sashiko Artisans with their own practice & style in Japan. I respect them sincerely, and I want to be respectful to them, too. Please help us to identify the upstream. There are many stories & people behind the word, “Sashiko”.
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正直な所、2016年に運針動画を初めて投稿した際は、これほどまでに中指と皿付き指貫の運針動画が英語圏で蔓延することは想像してませんでした。コピーされる覚悟でやってるし、真似して欲しい（見て学んでほしい）と言いながらの活動なので本望っちゃ本望なのですが、同時にここまで無視されるとも思ってませんでした。このご時世だからだとは思うのですが、 「どこから学んだか・何を参考にしたか」は記載されていないのが殆どです。
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日本の方の運針動画だったらわかるんです。中指で運針してた地域もあるだろうし。でも蔓延している動画の中で日本語でのものは極少数。日本語のもあっても最近刺し子を始めたんだろうなぁという感じのものばかり。長年刺し子をされていらっしゃる方の動画には、それぞれのご自身の「型」で運針をされていて、「やっぱり運針には様々な型があるよなぁ」と思うのです。
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刺し子だけに起こっていることではありません。この西洋の「元を記さないコピー」の一番の問題は、「それが（刺し子の）正解だ」として紹介されること。日本人は誰も言っていない「刺し子の正解」が、勝手に英語圏で広まることが一番嫌なのです。しかも、尊敬する日本の方々の運針の型が蔑ろにされる形で。
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今年は声を上げていきます。日本人っぽく「波風立てたくないしなぁ」と遠慮してた部分もあるのですが、正解を断定されること（他を間違いとすること）だけは許せないのでね。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #Unshin


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Asano-ha (麻の葉) is one of my favorite Geometric Pattern that I often use in my Sashiko. The Pattern itself is widely used in many designs, and it is NOT a name for “Sashiko Pattern”. (There is no such a thing as “Sashiko Pattern/Design”). Often, Geometric Patterns have “motif” and “stories” behind them. So does Asano-ha, and the motif is “Hemp Leaves”.
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Japanese consider Hemp (Leaves) as something “sacred” mainly used for purification in rituals. Following this story, the Asano-ha Pattern is said to be the pattern of “Repellent of Evil Spirit”. It is another reason we can find the pattern on child (infant) clothes, and often used on Semamori (as one point stitching in the form of amulets for children).
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Often, this story is interpreted to “protect us” from evil existence outside. Although it is one appropriate interpretation, I have another perspective as a Sashiko Artisan who actually stitches. Sashiko with Asano-ha is a way to acknowledge “Evil Spirit” residing within. For me, it is the pattern to protect me (and around me) from something negative “inside”. To fully appreciate the practice, it is very important to accept that we have a negative side within. Many work hard to overcome the negativity while acknowledging the existence. The same thing goes to Sashiko. In Sashiko, please try not to deny the negativity too much. The force to be positive with suppressing (ignoring) the negativity isn’t true positivity. It is Okay to be negative (angry, jealous, annoyed… and such). Many misunderstand. Sashiko is NOT Zen-like. It isn’t the form of so-called “meditation”(It can be meditative, though). For some, Sashiko is a way to talk to themselves. So, should there be the “right answer” for that? Of course, not. Instead of judging yourself to be good/right saying “embrace imperfection” as an excuse, please learn the way to fully appreciate the Sashiko as stitching.
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麻の葉柄。一般に「魔除け」の柄とされています。外的な「魔」を避ける柄であると共に、私にとってこの柄は「内に存在する魔」を認識する柄でもあります。簡単に言うと、何も考えずに刺し子できるので自分と会話しやすい柄なんです。「内なる魔」とは八正道に反するものと言い換えるとわかりやすいかもしれませんが、それも含めて人間です。否定して無理にポジティブに持っていく方が私は怖い。「刺し子は会話」ってなかなか伝わらないとは思うのですが、長年刺し子をしている人にはわかるはず。柄も含めて大切にしたいものがあります。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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