atsushijp, Author at Upcycle Stitches

Some Production and Some Consumption

06/14/201806/14/2018 atsushijp 1 Comment

I am merely a Sashiko practitioner who enjoys stitching. Neither did I start introducing Sashiko to advocate the current social issues, nor I plan to be a lobbyist for one particular movement. However, the more I talk about Sashiko, the more I realize the people would like to learn both “why we do Sashiko” and “How to do Sashiko”. This is a blog post of my idea of the potential social shift: The “wealthy” society of Mass Production and Mass Consumption to the “caring” society of Some Production and Some Consumption.

*This blog post is Atsushi’s personal philosophy, mainly translated from his Japanese blog post here.

Our (Sashi.Co) Basic Concept

As I mentioned above, Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya is a group of Sashiko artisans who loves Sashiko and re-purposing the Japanese vintage Fabric. Upcycle Stitches LLC is a legal entity to introduce Sashiko in the USA established by Atsushi, who moved to the USA in 2014.

Our goal and concept are quite simple: to enjoy Sashiko.

We are not like the typical company which aims to achieve certain growth and/or to comes up with the innovations to change the world.

Keiko loves the Japanese Vintage Fabric. Whenever she finds the beautiful Japanese fabric, especially those are not in a good enough shape to be used as the fabric, she talks to the fabric saying “I will bring you back to the main stage again.” This story is a beginning of Sashi.Co. and it is a project to support Keiko’s idea and her production.

My (Atsushi’s) idea to support Keiko’s activities was to introduce Sashiko. The more people enjoy Sashiko, the more support Keiko would receive directly or indirectly. Meanwhile, I enjoy Sashiko myself, I try to introduce Sashiko in English as a form of voices from the surviving artisans (instead of an interpretation or translation of books).

In order to introduce Sashiko, we have to know what Sashiko is.

As I keep writing in this blog, the Sashiko has not become the way of art yet. Unlike the other Japanese way of arts, such as Tea Ceremony or Ikebana (Flower Arrangement), Sashiko doesn’t have the mainstream (main family) to lead the culture. This is because Sashiko was too ordinary for the Japanese. When Japan was a poor nation, many Japanese performed Sashiko in each location. The poorer the people there, the more they had to do Sashiko, to merely make their days better.

The more I think, study, and research about Sashiko, the deeper questions and inquires I receive from the audience. Although I used to say, “I am not qualified to answer those deep and big questions”, it may be the time for me to start facing it as a Sashiko “Repair” Artist.

Is Sashiko Antithesis for the Pollution in Fashion?

In 2017, I had a great opportunity to talk about Sashiko in Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC (FIT).

It was the time that I just started introducing Sashiko in public, and to be honest, I wasn’t ready to face to the future stars in Fashion Industry. I have some regret that I would have done better. I still remember a brilliant question from one of the audience.

“What do you think of the Pollution in Fashion Industry? Can Sashiko be a part of the solution?”

I didn’t answer this questions very well.

I even said that it is too big of a problem to even mention my opinion. I am ashamed of this answer. I could have shared my personal philosophy regarding Sashiko and the social issues instead of letting myself down in front of the future Fashion stars who will contribute to the Fashion industry.

Therefore, I am doing it online now.

I am merely introducing my understanding of Sashiko. However, my understanding of Sashiko and its culture include the hope of Sashiko that I would like you to know. It isn’t me to solve the social issues. However, I can be part of the movement by sharing my personal opinions based on my experience in Sashiko.

Society of Mass Production and Mass Consumption

Throughout the Industrial Revolution, the concept of Assembly line with machines took over the hand-crafting manufactures. Thanks to this huge revolution, we get a benefit of having the mass-produced items with reasonable pricing. With the capitalism, the more the factory make the product, the less cost it takes to make a single item, then the more profit and the better distribution. The world had changed throughout this revolution and globalization. The current society is sustained by the economic system of mass production and mass consumption.

I get benefit from this revolution. I am writing this blog post with iMac, which is mass produced. Without the PC, I cannot even update my blog post. Everyone in this society is benefited from the revolution.

*The Japanese had a similar assembly line “without” machines in the Past, and the items and culture are called Mingei. It will require another blog post to share.

One of the key factors of Capitalism is the circulation of items and money. The more items move the more money moves. In order to move the items in mass production, the manufactures and company encouraged us to use and dispose of the items as quickly as possible: mass consumption.

It is a bit ironic, but the more we throw away the items, the more our life get wealthier (at least, it looks like that). When all of us stop replacing (throwing things away) the items, then this economy may corrupt. I enjoy the lifestyle that I can get pretty much everything I need by clicking the button online. This is the benefit we get from the capitalism and circulation.

The problem is, though, that “How long can we continue this circulation?”

Some (most) of the natural resources are limited. Not all the “trash” aren’t trash. Recycling can be pretty costly, and there is the risk of recycling the item from the scratch. When we find the alternative resources, would this society continue forever?

Sashiko Beauty in Sustainability

The word “Sustainability” gets pretty popular in last 10 years or so.

The people with concerns about the social (environmental) issues start advocating the risk of the current society, and many waste and pollution got reviewed and improved. The fabric shopping bags (in Japan) to replace the plastic shopping bag is a great way to save the unnecessary waste. It is very important to “care” of the environment and take action within a capacity of what we can do.

Please do not take me wrong.

I am not saying we all should go to the extreme side of environmentalists. I don’t think I can stop using the plastic bottle, and I will keep using online store although I know the packaging is the complete waste of resources.

What I am writing right now is that we can “care” in our own field. We do not even have to “fix” the problem. By caring about the issue, and spreading the “care”, we as collective human being will ease the social issues, I believe. So, what I am saying is; “Mass Production and Mass Consumption to Some Production and Some Consumption”.

And there is a beauty in Sustainability with Sashiko. You may know it, already, the BORO is the ultimate result of Sustainable Textile Culture with countless repetition of Sashiko Stitching. The Japanese in a few hundreds years ago kept repairing the fabric by necessity, and now we enjoy the beauty from it.

Some Production and Some Consumption Boro — Boro Beauty from Some Production and Some Consumption

In order to share the beauty of Boro & Upcycle Fabric, I decided to not to purchase any new cloth.

This is purely my “Social Experiment” and I am not trying to implement this crazy idea to the others. I just want to see if we can do such a thing as repurposing and recycling what we have instead of replacing it. If everyone follows this, it will be Mass Production and Mass Consumption to Zero Production and Zero Consumption. I don’t want to do that because Some production and Some consumption is the base of New Fashion and Design. Also, going to the extreme is not following the Sashiko mindset. Please do not misunderstand what I am writing here.

I just enjoy, that the my old torn socks may be form of art in the year of 2200.

Sometimes, repairing doesn’t make sense at all

The idea of “Repairing the cloths instead of replacing them” contradict to the current mindset based on capitalism and circulation economy. It is much financially correct if you can replace your pair of jeans with $60.00 or so while it takes 20 hours of mending it. If you have a job earning the minimum wage in the USA, it is cheaper to replace the jean than getting it repaired by yourself or asking someone to do that.

This economical contradiction is the main reason I suffered so much in Sashiko Family. I kept wondering the meaning of keeping the Sashiko. If this is not economically right, why do I have to keep doing that?

This is my reply to the comment on our Instagram regarding the split mindset (philosophy).

I am sincere with you. Although I was raised in a Sashiko family, I have been struggling to find out the “meaningful” of Sashiko. In the economically wealthy society, repairing the item doesn’t make sense financially and economically. You can get a pair of good jeans less than $60, while you would need to spend either 20 hours to do so. It does not make sense from the modern mindset (I would like to avoid “western” here since the modern Japanese are like it too.) It is not all about cost and returns. Sashiko isn’t about “saving” the environment. It is about the appreciation to what we have already… That is my ‘temporary’ answer to what I love to do, Sashiko. I am working on writing an article about it. I will share it when I complete. I appreciate your comment. I feel sometimes I should replace things I have. My mother in law once cried when I was wearing the torn pants that I didn’t have enough money to replace. lol. I am doing it as a social experiment. Let’s see how it goes 🙂 Keep in touch!

Similar to Sashiko, the topic of “Replace or Repair” is not “right” or “wrong”. It is the matter of preferences, and the mindset will fall in between both extreme sides.

Some Production and Some Consumption

What I would like to share is NOT to make a society of “Mass Production and Mass Consumption” an evil exist. I get to benefit from it, and I believe you get to benefit from it. So, my points are pretty much two of these below.

Appreciate what we have first. Then decide to replace it or repair it. Enjoy the process of repairing it by “caring” others and yourself (ourselves).
Mass Production and Mass Consumption to Some Production and Some Consumption. A shift of mindset that “concept of the profit of manufacture is the purpose of activity” to “We all can benefit even with caring the environment.”

I hope it makes sense. I will keep reviewing & proofreading if I am describing myself appropriately.

Fashion Industry and Sashiko

At last, but not least, I would like to think of Fashion.

I need to study and learn more about Fashion to make a comment about it, but I can share my thoughts from the standing point as the Sashiko professional.

In my definition of Fashion, I understand that the Fashion is something to create and provide the “New Values” throughout styling. The origin of the trend is the fashion, and both excentric art styling and fast fashion connecting to our daily life are both Fashions.

So, can the idea of “Appreciating the Fabric” be the new value in the Fashion industry?

I believe it can. In fact, the Boro became popular based on this concept, I believe.

The problem (concern) is that the value of “appreciating Fabric” create the low circulation of production. When the circulation go slower, the capitalists will get less return. If we all start saying, “Let’s replace the cloth and repair it for decades”, the apparel businesses will not be happy much because the customer stop buying new clothes. When the cloth isn’t selling well, they may stop producing the new clothes. This isn’t what I am trying to introduce.

I am doing the social experiment of “not buying any cloth” to see how it goes as the personal project. The idea of “not buying anything” can destroy the Fashion culture, and it is probably too extreme.

Therefore. I would like to share the idea of Some Production and Some Consumption, and “caring society” is the ideal place I would like to reach to.

Published on June 14th, 2016

Atsushi Futatsuya

Sashiko Swatches Collection 5th | #50 Boro Inspired

06/10/201806/10/2018 atsushijp Leave a comment

Here is our 5th Collection of Sashiko Swatches for sale. Memorable #50 are so-called “Boro Inspired” Sashiko stitched Fabric. They are listed on our Etsy Store. Thanks to those who purchased our beautiful, one of a kind, sashiko swatches, we can continue introducing the more Sashiko fabrics.

Every swatch is hand-stitched, of course. We respect a story in the Japanese farmer’s history, “soybeans – patchwork” and appreciated very small Japanese fabrics. Enjoy the beauty of patchworking with Boro Inspired concept.

*A series of introducing our Sashiko swatches has consisted of many articles on this website.

Sashiko Swatches Collection 5th | Boro Inspired

#50-A | Authentic fabric hand-stitched to be Boro

28″ x 9″ | 45 gram

#50-B | Authentic fabric hand-stitched to be Boro

24″ x 10.5″ | 48 gram

#50-C | Authentic fabric hand-stitched to be Boro

28″ x 6.5″ | 40 gram

What does “Boro Inspired” mean?

Ultimately speaking, I would say that Boro Inspired fabric is “to be Boro” fabric.

There is not a significant line that we distinguish which is Boro or Not. However, in our understanding, Boro is the result of “repetitive Sashiko mending & stitching.” The single patchworking doesn’t make the fabric Boro. However, any kinds of patchworking and mending projects with respecting the concept of “Mottainai” and appreciating the fabric, we respect it.

It is just for us to distinguish what we make.

One is Boro Inspired beautiful sashiko swatch, and the one is Boro we would like to recreate after continuous stitching.

Boro Inspired Sample — A Sample of Boro Inspired Fabric. Patchworking with vintage Japanese fabric

Boro Sample — A Sample of Boro we revived. Check the repetitive of Sashiko to form the fabric.

A note from Etsy Description for Boro Inspired Fabric

Each of the Boro Inspired fabric is all hand-stitched and patched small fabrics here and there. It is not “quite” Boro yet by our standards, but it is absolutely beautiful and “one-of-a-kind” Sashiko swatches. They can be used as is, or to your Sashiko project. The edge is not trimmed. However, it can be used for the placemat when the friction isn’t that significant.

In a process of making Sashiko items, we collect many small swatches that we cannot even provide as the swatch. I would not prefer to list a fabric of 2-inch square. We do not throw away the beautiful fabric even if it is small. Our goal is to follow the Japanese mindset that a story tells us.

Sashiko Guide | List of Information Here

06/07/201803/07/2019 atsushijp 6 Comments

Thank you for visiting Upcycle Stitches Website. We have been adding more blog posts to enrich the contents of Sashiko and Boro. This is a Sashiko Guide to navigate you through the website.

二ツ谷恵子 & 淳の刺し子ウェブサイトにお越し下さりありがとうございます。この Upcycle Stitches ウェブは、米国にて活動している淳の刺し子の情報ページです。日本語での情報は、日本にて二ツ谷恵子と運営しているウェブサイトにて掲載しております。英語に続いて日本語での記事もご紹介しておりますので、一読頂けましたら幸いです。

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| Sashiko Guide English

Sashiko Guide | Learn Sashiko Stitching here

This website, Upcycle Stitches, is a place where Atsushi shares his experience and knowledge regarding Sashiko stitching & other Japanese handcrafting culture. We collaborate with the other Sashiko and other hand-crafting artists in Japan and strive to enrich the contents to share the beauty of Sashiko and needlework (Unshin). We hope this post can walk you through as Sashiko Guide.

We provide the best & authentic Sashiko supplies

In order to answer the demand in the market, we provide the Sashiko supplies, such as thread, fabric, needle and thimble, with the great quality. We believe what we introduce on this website is the best in its quality and experience. Everything is made in Japan with respect to the original traditions and the surviving artisans’ comments to maximize the Sashiko Experience. Most of the supplies are available in our Sashiko Store within USA domestic & some international order.

Indigo Dye Sashiko Thread variegated — Natural Indigo Dye Sashiko Thread | All hand-dyed by Keiko Futatsuya

Needle Thimble on Indigo — Sashiko Needle & Sashiko Thimble. The must have items for the good Sashiko Stitching.

Sashiko Workshops to learn the traditions

In order to share the traditional Sashiko technique, we offer the Sashiko Workshop. The best way (the most efficient and confirmed way) is to take part in the on-site, Sashiko Stitching Workshop (Core & Basic), that we offer in TriBeCa Area, NYC, every 2 months or so.

For the workshop schedule, please check the Sashiko Workshop Schedule 2019.

Upon the requests for those who cannot travel to NYC, we have been developing the Sashiko Online Workshop.

We have just offered the first workshop in June 2018 and doing our best to continue offering it. Please check the detail here, and register your seat when you find a good time to join it.

Free and Enjoyable opportunity to feel Sashiko

We also offer a Live Streaming on Youtube, every Wednesday at 9 pm in EST (New York Time) to share the actual Sashiko Stitching.

The Live Streaming is for an opportunity to look at how the Sashiko practitioner like Atsushi makes stitching, not a workshop. We would rather talk about the history of Sashiko, Boro and other related things, why we do Sashiko and such rather than how to do Sashiko. You will find some very useful Sashiko Tutorials on our Youtube Channel for those who would teach themselves.

Your requests, questions, and feedbacks are very important for us. We may not be able to accomplish everything we receive, but we will try our best to come up with a reaction. We sincerely believe that the reactions with cares are the core of Sashiko stitching and hand-crafting.

The main topics we introduce on the Website

How to Start Sashiko | A tutorial from Sashiko Artisans

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Mending Jeans and Garments with Sashiko

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Sashiko Thread | The key of good Sashiko

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BORO | Textile Art from Ancient Japan

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Sashiko Stitched Fabric from our acheivement

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Inspiring handmade Sashiko Artwork

Thanks to the customised workshop participants from NYC, we have numbers of great photos of our Sashiko Artwork. It is ...

Sashiko Frequently Asked Questions

Since I started introducing Sashiko online (here and Youtube)in 2017, I have been receiving many questions. As a group of ...

QuiltCon 2020 Sashiko Workshop | Sashiko Mastery

This is a notice blog article for the participants of the QuiltCon 2020 Sashiko Workshop in Austin, Texas on 21st ...

| Sashiko Guide Japanese

刺し子という文化を残したい

岐阜県にて刺し子業を営む家族の長男として生まれ、長い間、刺し子と向き合ってきました。紆余曲折を経て、米国への移住となりましたが、「刺し子という文化」への尊敬は今も変わっていません。どのような日々を過ごすことによって、「刺し子を後世に残すことができるのか」。この問いを常に抱えて、今後も様々な活動をしていきたいと思っています。

英語で行っている程の頻度ではございませんが、日本語でも情報を発信しております。母親の個人事業である、「Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya (刺し子でデザインする）」のウェブサイトを通して、刺し子に対する私達の思いを言葉にしております。また、私達が使う刺し子糸や針、指ぬき、ハサミといった道具や材料もオンラインにて販売しております。

「刺し子は何か」と定義をしたり、二元論での「正解」と「間違い」を出すことが私達の目的ではなく、「日常に存在していた刺し子」を、できるだけありのままの形で、紹介していければと思っております。

また、毎週火曜日と金曜日の夜11時より、インスタグラムにて「刺し子配信」をしております。

→刺し子配信についてはこちらをお読みください。
→Sashi.Co インスタグラムアカウント

お伝えしたい想いが沢山あります。

言葉にできていないものも多く、上手に言葉にできない部分は配信を通して、試行錯誤をしております。

是非、ウェブサイトと配信を通して、私達と刺し子を知って頂ければ幸いです。

JapaneseShoppingSashico — 刺し子糸等のお買い求めはこちらからお願いします。

私達の日本語のウェブサイトです。沢山の思いを詰め込んでいます。

Online Sashiko Workshop | Learn wherever you are

06/04/201804/01/2019 atsushijp 8 Comments

[Update for Online Sashiko Learning Opportunity]

Online Sashiko Class | Anywhere Anytime.

After receiving so many emails regarding the Online Sashiko Workshop, I decided to offer the one officially.

To be honest, regardless how much I prepared for the online workshop, I am very worried if I can deliver the same experience and satisfaction to the online participants. After offering more than 10 workshops in NYC, I am pretty confident that I understand the participants’ expectation and my capacity to share the beauty of Sashiko. Over the camera, where I cannot reposition your hands and the visual information is limited to the screen, I wasn’t sure if I should even offer it.

Thanks to the encouragement from many friends and Sashiko Passionist (some who I haven’t even met), I am now offering the very first Online Sashiko Workshop.

Online Sashiko Workshop Schedule

Thanks to the participants for the first online Sashiko Workshop, I learned that the Online Sashiko Workshop can satisfy the participants. Although I still have worries and concerns, I decided to keep offering them.

The 2nd Online Sashiko Workshop, Option A

First Session:

July 24th (Tuesday) | 8:15 pm to 10:15 pm.

Second Session:

June 27th (Friday) | 8:15 pm to 10:15 pm.

To share what Sashiko is to the world

As I keep mentioning that Sashiko is not all about stitching, the stitching technique is very important to fully enjoy Sashiko stitching. There are many books available in the market. I even share some of the Sashiko stitching Tutorials on Youtube for free. I still believe that it is critical for me to take a look at the participants stitching so I can provide the instruction appropriately. Yes. “Appropriately” rather than “Correctly”.

Your understanding & support to my challenging project, to share what Sashiko is to the world, would be very much appreciated.

The detail of Online Sashiko Workshop

The Workshop goes through the Live Streaming via Google Hangouts. The participants need to be online at the scheduled time. All the time I mention on this page is in the US Eastern Time Zone (EST), New York Time.

Duration: 2 Workshops of 90 minutes each | Total of 3 hours
Price: 178.00 USD | For the limited time 100.00 USD with the agreement that this is sort of provisional online workshop.

Language: English, otherwise specifically mentioned.
Maximum participant: 4 Participants
Required skill: A basic needlework skill will be preferred. Please practice threading the needle before the workshop start.
Required environment: A device connected to the Internet. For maximizing workshop experience, the participants need to show me the posture of stitching and actual stitching. A tripod or a smartphone stand would be a good idea to have.
Web Software: Google hangout

A list of tools you need to prepare:

A Ruler
Scotch Tape
Fabric Scissors
Thread Clipper / Grip Scissors (If you have one. Substituted by regular scissors)
A Pin Cushion (If you have one)

Everything else you need for the workshop will be shipped to your address.

The Sashiko Store | Supplies for the Beautiful Sashiko

Pastel Color Sashiko Thread | Unique Color Available

06/01/201806/04/2018 atsushijp Leave a comment

Look at these unique Pastel Color Sashiko Thread!

We have been very happy with our Sashiko Collection; 15 Mono Colored and 5 Variegated Colored (Synthetic Dye) and more than 30 Natural Dyed including Indigo and Kakishibu Persimmon Tannin. As a spokesman to share the beauty and fun of Sashiko, I would like to keep introducing the other option for the Sashiko stitching. I have tried these Pastel Color Sashiko Threads. The quality is good enough to meet my expectation and the color is brilliant. The price is reasonable compared to the Natural Dye (Hand-Dyed) Sashiko Thread. I believe these thread will expand the possibility of your Sashiko projects.

*I used to work for a company that also manufactures (OEM) the Sashiko Thread. Therefore, most of my Sashiko experience is with the thread I have been introducing (the thread manufactured by Coron). After being a part of the group of Sashiko artists, I now start using the other Sashiko threads produced by the other manufacturers.

Make a difference | Matter of preferences

It is all about preferences. These bright Pastel Color Sashiko Thread can satisfy one Sashiko project while only the Natural Dye Sashiko thread can be satisfactory for one project. Personally speaking, I would prefer to avoid mixing these bright colors and natural dye Sashiko thread, but the thread themselves are very satisfactory.

I made a sample fabric with the Pastel Color Sashiko thread. The threads have very soft – pastel color as they are. However, when you make a stitching, I can be pretty bright and they are very beautiful. I hope you can find the one for your Sashiko project.

Pastel Color Sashiko Thread | Selection

We have 5 colors available in stock.

The manufacturer makes more colors, but some of them are very similar to our Sashiko Thread Collection. These 5 colors are similar to the Natural Dye Sashiko thread comparing to the regular Mono-Dye Sashiko thread. I plan to expand the variety based on the need for the market. Let us know what you think about these Pastel Color Sashiko Thread!

#63 \| Blue Green Color	65 \| Light Green
66 \| Light Purple	68 \| Rose Purple
69 \| Deep Purple

Purchase Pastel Color Sashiko Thread here!

Kogin Sashiko | Another Ramification of Sashiko

05/28/201811/30/2018 atsushijp 5 Comments

Sashiko is a broad term for needleworks developed in Japan. Kogin Sashiko (SashiKogin) is one of the well-known ramifications of Sashiko. Although I do not practice Kogin Sashiko, I am a big fan of its pattern and beauty. This is an introductory article about the difference between Kogin Sashiko and the Sashiko Stitching I perform (some Japanese call it Gushinui).

Before jumping into the explanation, please read the analogy of “Pizza in the USA“, which I often use to explain what Sashiko is. It may help you to understand how I understand Sashiko.

The photos of Kogin are provided by @1005coma (Instagram).

Kogin Sashiko and Sashiko Stitching

Kogin Sashiko was developed in Aomori Prefecture and surrounded areas of the Northern part of Japan. The origin of Kogin Sashiko is to fill in the gap of rough Hemp Fabric that they had to wear even during the severe winter. The cotton fabric was too expensive for the ordinary farmers in the Northern part of Japan to wear. Therefore, the wisdom of Sashiko developed to make hemp fabric warmer by stitching with cotton thread.

Because of this tradition, the needle for Kogin is not sharp. It is purposefully made to be the dull top needle. The other Sashiko stitching usually requires the very sharp needle to minimize the damage to the cotton fabric, yet Kogin Sashiko requires the dull top needle to scoop the gap in between the hemp fabric.

Kogin Sashiko 1 — A Sample of Kogin / Hishi Sashiko to fill the Gap of rough Hemp fabric.

Kogin Sashiko Sashiko Running Stitch — A Sample of Sashiko Stitching | Creating the patterns with running stitch.

Kogin Sashiko and Sashiko Stitching are both needleworks with “caring” someone and supporting their ordinary lives. Both of them are the wisdom of making ordinary days a bit easier.

4 Key concepts of Sashiko are…

They stitched for

Make fabric warmer
strengthen the Fabric
Repair & mend Fabric
Decorate fabric under the severe or challenging condition to do so.

As you have read my analogy of Pizza and Sashiko, it is not about which is right Sashiko or not. I have the honor to get to know some of great Kogin Sashiko artists live in Japan. More photos and more explanation will be online accordingly.

Kogin Sashiko and Hishizashi (Hishi Sashiko)

The category of Kogin Sashiko has many kinds in its culture. I will study the difference more and introduce the characters of each Sashiko in the Nothern part of Japan.

As of now, let me introduce the most obvious distinguish the Japanese uses.

Kogin Sashiko: The patterns are made based on the counting of the Odd numbers.
Hishi Sashiko: The patterns are made based on the counting of the Even numbers.

I assume the description above doesn’t make sense by just explaining it in the text. By collaborating many Kogin artists in Japan, I will translate and introduce the Kogin Sashiko and Hishi Sashiko with more photos. If you are interested, please leave your comment here. The more I receive the feedback and comments, the faster (the more serious) I will work on the articles.

For this introduction, I wanted to share the difference between Kogin Sashiko and the regular Sashiko Stitching. Both very beautiful, but not the same.

Photos of both beautiful Sashiko culture

Please understand that the article is not about judging which is better or not. I practice the Sashiko stitching, and am proud of what I do. It is merely a matter of preferences. This website, UpcylceStitches.com, is for sharing the culture of the beautiful Japanese hand-stitching culture.

Sashiko Analogy | For Understanding of Sashiko

05/16/201805/16/2018 atsushijp 1 Comment

“What is Sashiko exactly?” This is probably the question in your mind. A question of “Am I doing correctly?” would tire you out when you would like to follow the traditional Sashiko style. Well, unfortunately, even we as Sashiko artists do not have the exact answer for What Sashiko really is. Regardless of my writing about what Sashiko is, the conclusion I come up with for now is to give you the analogy which helps me to explain what Sashiko is. So here is my Sashiko Analogy.

Sashiko is like a Pizza in the USA.

There are many styles of Pizza such as Neapolitan, California style, Chicago Deep Dish, and more. Can you define which is the Pizza and not Pizza? There are good pizzas and bad pizzas, but no such a thing as the right pizza and the wrong pizza. After all, it is all about the preferences.

Sashiko is very similar. There are many styles of Sashiko developed in Japan. It is about preferences, not rules.

Origin of this Sashiko Analogy

I initially come up with the Sashiko Analogy with Japanese Miso-Soup (Misoshiru) while I broadcasted my stitching on Instagram. Japanese Misoshiru is so ordinary for the Japanese and most of the household in Japan have their own style of Misoshiru.

Sashiko is(was) also too ordinary to make it like an art form over the history. Many Japanese who lived in a poor society performed Sashiko in necessity, and therefore we have many kinds of Sashiko left: some survived, some vanished.

A Sashiko Analogy with Misoshiru is a fantastic way to explain what Sashiko is to the Japanese since Misoshiru is so close to their lifestyle. I thought of what would be an equivalent to the Misoshiru and come up with the Pizza.

It can be anything.

Applesauce that your own family made for you and your family? Sauerkraut your family fermented in your family house?

The point is a sense of “ordinary things to do = nothing special.”

With a few concepts of Sashiko behind its history and the sense of ordinary process will lead you to a good understanding of what Sashiko is.

So Where do I start Sashiko?

Sashiko is ordinary things to do. Alright.

How about now? Is it ordinary?

After the economic growth in Japan, and globalization, Sashiko is not an ordinary thing to do anymore. Therefore, many people look for information and tutorials.

I am here for that. I provide “how to do Sashiko” on my Youtube Channel and Online/Onsite Sashiko Workshops, and I talk about “why I do Sashiko” in my Live streaming on Youtube.

You can learn the basic technique of Sashiko and long-established wisdom of how beautiful Sashiko can be. I also talk how beneficial Sashiko can be for the mental, mindfulness and slow switching. By learning the history of Sashiko, I strongly believe that we can enrich our life.

Sashiko is (was) a form of needlework to achieve…

Reinforcing the fabric for the warmth
Strengthening the fabric for the durability
Mending the fabric for the repurpose and recycle (upcycle)
Decorating the fabric in the limited supply and government regulations.

When your project can follow either of these “concepts based on the purpose,” I would say you are doing fantastic Sashiko.

Of course, as you can find a good pizza and horrible pizza, there are good looking Sashiko and not so much good looking Sashiko. I am here for the better looking Sashiko. I just want you to learn not only “how” to do Sashiko, but “why” to do Sashiko throughout my website.

You may read some writing archives below. The answer to the question of “What is Sashiko?” is still on my list of things to achieve. Your feedback and request will help me to seek more!

Reference | Some Article Archives:

What is Sashiko? | As a Sashiko Artist

Correct Sashiko Wrong Sashiko

Sashiko Rules | Right & Wrong in Sashiko Stitching?

Sashiko and Animism | Power of thoughts

Kakishibu Dyed Thread | Hand Dyed with Persimmon

05/15/201805/16/2018 atsushijp 2 Comments

5/15 Update for Kakishibu Dyed Thread

Ever since we first introduced the Kakishibu Dyed Thread in summer 2018, we have tried several Kakishibu Dyed in Sashiko Threads. The result of Kakishibu can be easily affected by sunlight, so it has been very challenging to create the similar color. However, we decided to offer the thread regardless of its small inventory number.

As of now, we have K○_1712 Series and a few left from the previous Series (K-177 and K-179).

One of the most popular Natural Dye

Squeezing the green (non-ripe) persimmon to get the juice. Fermenting it to transform the persimmon juice to a dye liquid. Smells are really strong. Controlling the condition is a big responsibility. After these steps, we can finally enjoy the natural color from Persimmon Tannin dye. We are happy to present our new Kakishibu Dyed Thread for the Sashiko stitching. The same perfect design (twist) for the Sashiko purpose, with the beautiful natural color from Kakishibu.

*Kakishibu (柿渋）= Persimmon Tannin in Japanese

4 Shades of Kakishibu Dyed Thread are available

These 3 shades and 1 variegated color are available for sale! Enjoy the natural color in your Sashiko project.

K1 | Gold Yellow
K2 | Dark Grey
K3 | Greyish Brown
K4 | Persimmon Tannin Variation / Variegated

Kakishibu Dye Professional

Ever since Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya started challenging to dye Sashiko thread with Natural materials, Indigo Blue and Kakishibu Gold kept attracting us. The Kakishibu dye process requires at least 3 major conditions to make it successful.

A lot of, tons of pure water
Large space enough to prevent odor issues
Skillful artisans to follow the strict dye process

It was very challenging to successfully achieve the Golden color Sashiko thread with ourselves. Then, in 2017, we got a fortune to come across the Kakishibu Dye Professionals in Gifu Prefecture, Kaki-Zanmai. They use the locally grown persimmon and follow the steps I illustrated in the first paragraph of this article. In their studio, people can dye what they would like. We asked them to dye our Sashiko thread, and we could add the Kakishibu color to our Sashiko Thread collection.

Here is a note from their Japanese website.

Kakishibu Dye

We provide a special Kakishibu dye made from “Izira Persimmon.” This Izira Persimmon is only produced in Yamagata city, Gifu Prefecture. The Izira Persimmon contains a lot of tannin, and had been well known for Kakishibu Dye. Natural & Local product for Kakishibu Dye. Kakishibu dyed product such as threads, fabrics, and papers are believed to have these functions; Anti Corrosion, Insect repellent, Antibacterial, Deodorant (Eliminating Odors), and Waterproofing.

Kakishibu Fabric, as well.

We have asked to dye the fabric as well. It is too costly to sell online for now, but we are happy to share the photos if you are interested. Please contact me so I can take photos of beautifully dyed fabric for Sashiko purpose. We are working on a project of Sashiko art piece with using Kakishibu Dye Sashiko Thread and Kakishibu Dye Cotton Fabric. Wait for the update 🙂

Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project

05/13/201807/03/2021 atsushijp 2 Comments

It has been almost 7 years since I had encountered this beautiful project: Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project. I sometimes refer this project as “Otsuchi Sashiko”. The official name for the project is Otsuchi Recovery (Fukko) Sashiko Project (大槌復興刺し子プロジェクト）.

After the earthquake followed by Tsunami on March 11th, 2011, the five volunteers established the project to support the people in Otsuchi, especially those who had nothing to do but sitting in the evacuation shelter. The men had a lot of things to require the muscle power after the disaster. The young generation also had many tasks to revive the infrastructure such as distributing the support goods and clean. However, those who wouldn’t be able to move, mostly elderly women, did not have things to do and had to wait for nothing in the non-private shelter.

Not only the fish (support goods such as food and blankets) but also a fishing rod (a method to make a living).

The project tries to create jobs for those who couldn’t do hard labor outside.

They have been trying to create the community where anyone can gather for the purpose of stitching.

We all then hope that the stitching can be a part of the purposes of their new life after the earthquake.

I, Atsushi, first join the project in June 2011.

Then, visited Otsuchi for an advice on creating a business (creating jobs) in November, then two months in February and March in 2012. Ever since the first day I met the project, I have been thinking what I and Sashiko can do for them.

I had written many articles and reports regarding the Otsuchi Sashiko in English, but I had to give them up when my father passed away and the stakeholders decided to shut down the website. Well, even after the sad reality of me leaving Sashiko behind for while, my mother, Keiko Futatsuya, kept in touch with them. Now, she is the advisor of Sashiko technique and designing in Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project.

I do not find many articles about Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project online in English.

It is my mission to write it down what this amazing and remarkable recovery project is. This is a story of Otsuchi Sashiko throughout my eyes and emotions. The story may be biased a bit, but I believe I am introducing the fact as sincerely and accurately as I can.

Brief History of Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project (OSP)

Otsuchi town was badly damaged by the earthquake followed by Tsunami, including the loss of town hall and the mayor and more than 1,280 of people’s life. The survivors how needed an evacuation shelter by losing their house were more than 9,000 people.

Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project Story 1

Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project Story 2

A role for “mothers” and “grandmothers”

In the evacuation shelter, mothers and grandmothers, who were very much hard worker in their own house as a house-maker, didn’t have anything to do. There were no kitchen to cook, no living room to clean, no dishes to wash. Men and young generation could work for the cleaning debris, but the job required a lot of muscle power. Mothers and Grandmothers couldn’t help them even if they wanted to.

No car to commute. No place to work when a big part of the town is damaged by the Tsunami. The days of ladies in Otsuchi, well known for the hard-workers, had changed drastically.

The answers they had come up with was Sashiko, in which requires only a needle, thread, and piece of fabric. The Sashiko was doable in a limited space of the evacuation shelter. The mothers and grandmothers wanted to do “something” instead of just waiting.

One stitch by one stitch with hopes

An elder woman who lied down all the day in the evacuation shelter. A hard-working mother who lost her house-making job. A young woman who lost their job opportunity. Everyone in Otsuchi moved the needle with hoping the recovery of Otsuchi.

Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko project is their first step to the recovery by women in Otsuchi since June 2011.

The Earthquake destroyed the houses and jobs and took away our previous people. We, as Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project, would like to re-establish the town of Otsuch throughout Sashiko by strengthening, mending, and making it more beautiful.

*Sashiko is a needlework to reinforce, to repair, to mend, and to decorate the fabric.

A vision of OSP

*Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project = OSP

Toward high-spirited Otsuchi

OSP strives to cheer up people in Otsuchi and related to Otcushi throughout the Sashiko Project.

When a mother, who enjoy Sashiko, is happy, the household will be filled with smiles. If the household is filled with smiles, the town of Otsuchi will be energetic. When the town of Otsuchi become energetic, everyone in the town and related to the town will be happy.

Our goal is to contribute to the recovery of the town of Otsuchi.

Tell the value of Hand-made culture

We strongly respect the value of hand-made craft culture with spending so much time and putting the good-heart in it in the era of “speed” and “efficiency (productivity)” with mass-production and mass-information. “Hand-Made Craft” provide us “Care” and “Mindfulness (Mental Wellness)” by thinking of other, and using our own hands.

We actually perform the handmade craft in every day and tell how previous they are throughout the project

We also value these 5 categories throughout the OSP activities

Locality (respect to Otsuchi)

OSP rooted the town of Otsuchi, and try out best to contribute to Otsuchi throughout the project.

Particularity about Hand-Stitching

We are particular about providing the hand-stitching items for those who respect the culture of hand-made crafting. We care of customers and try our best to tell the value of hand-made culture.

Encourage the Self Esteem of artisans

We encourage our artisans (Sashiko-san) to build self-esteem of what they do by providing the opportunity to improve their skill and understandings. We also respect each other who enjoy the hand-made crafting (Sashiko)

Aiming the best continuously

We continuously try our best to improve our technique and product, and we strive to provide the best Sashiko product.

Place & Community

We respect the concept of “community”, the place everyone can gather and socialize. We provide the place where Sashiko-san (the artisans) can gagther, even without any purposes, and then the customer would like to visit to meet them.

OSP Facts

Coming soon. (Confirming the lastest numbers with Otsuchi Sashiko for their 10th anniversary)

Purchase / Support the OSP

Purchase Sashiko Items from OSP

You may purchase Sashiko items, such as workman jacket and bags, that OSP provides at the Sashiko Exhibition including the one in the major department stores. You may contact me (Atsushi) if you have a specific item (or an idea of what you would like to purchase) for the detail. I am happy to provide as much information as possible. Not many products are listed online, but I believe I can provide the good amount of information for an online order.

For example, the bag below is about $350.00 in Total. ($300.00 for the bag plus shipping and handling of $50)

You will receive a card signed by the artisan (Sashiko san) who made the bag. Since everything is hand-made by the individual artisans, each item is completely one-of-a-kind.

Support by Donation to Non-Profit Organization

The OSP is managed by the certified Non-Profit Organization, Terra Renaissance.

If you wish to make a donation to the Otsuchi Sashiko, please contact me (Atsushi) for more detail. I will try to translate and connect you to the appropriate individual in the certified NPO Terra Renaissance.

Support by purchasing the thread for OSP

Keiko and Atsushi Futatsuya have been supporting the Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project by providing the thread (initially free then specially discounted price for the continuously).

Needless to say, Sashiko thread is the key material to make Sashiko products. We have the campaign to ask the general public to purchase the thread for OSP naming “supporting thread” to connect Otsuchi and Takayama (where Keiko is located). If you are interested in this campaign, please contact Atsushi for the detail. (Working on the page for this now.)

More Photos from OSP

Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project Title — Photo by t.koshiba

Sashiko Exhibition Report | May 8th to 12th in 2018

05/10/201804/20/2019 atsushijp 3 Comments

We have been enjoying to have many visitors to our very first Sashiko Exhibition in Tokyo 2018. Keiko, the Sashiko artist, stayed in the gallery on May 8th. She is very happy to meet many people with a passion for Sashiko. The Sashiko Exhibition continues until the Saturday, May 12th, 2018. With many photos which I received from my friends who visited, here is the Sashiko Exhibition Report.

So many “One of a Kind” Sashiko

One of a factor that makes us an artist is the speed of Sashiko stitching we can make. Every Sashiko is hand-stitched, of course. Every item is One of a kind, and we will not be able to create the exactly the same one. (We will try our best to create the similar one if a customer requested custom order items based on the sold item.)

Sashiko Exhibition Report 3 Bags — Patchworked Sashiko and Vintage Fabric into one unique and beautiful bags. It is breathtaking to look at so much Sashiko stitching at once.

Traditional, Contemporary Sashiko and even Boro.

We also displayed some of Keiko’s latest Jackets, from traditional Sashiko, Contemporary Design with Sashiko, and even Boro pieces. We believe some of them are museum quality, but they are all purchasable by a customer. It is because we believe that a Sashiko item will look more beautiful when it is used in the ordinary life. It is very honored to be displayed in a museum, but at the same time, we would like to see our Sashiko items in our human’s life.

Visitors to the Sashiko Exhibition can, of course, touch, feel, and try them on to feel the stitching and its warmth.

Sashiko Exhibition Report Traditional Sashiko — Keiko combines many japanese traditional geometric patterns into one unique pattern. This is very traditional Sashiko jacket with keiko’s design.

Sashiko Exhibition Report Core of Sashiko — When we get a good quality and size of Japanese vintage fabric, we always appreciate the people who kept these fabrics. The fabric wasn’t strong enough and had holes to make it one Jacket, but we performed Sashiko and patches to be another Jacket. This is core of Sashiko Stitching

Sashiko Exhibition Report Boro — Boro is the ultimate result of Sashiko stitching. Keiko collected all torn and worn fabrics from the past, and made it one beautiful Jacket. Boro tend to be dirty and smelly, but we try to “recreating the Boro” with following the process that the Japanese a hundred year ago did.

Sashiko Exhibition Report Sashiko Jacket — Every Sashiko Jacket, one stitch by one stitch. We are proud of each Sashiko items. They are simply awesome 🙂

Otsuchi Sashiko Stunning Works

The Sashiko Exhibition was co-hosted with Otsuchi Sashiko Project.

It is a recovery project from Northeastern Earthquake in 2011 to support the Tsunami victims throughout Sashiko. Keiko and Atushi has been supporting the project since June 2011. I am planning to write an article about the Otsuchi Sashiko Project with more detail, so please wait for an update.

Over the last 6~7 years, the Sashiko skill in Otsuchi Sashiko Project imroved significantly. We are so happy to share their beautiful Sashiko works with our Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya Sashiko works.

Sashiko Exhibition Report Otsuchi Jacket — The Sashiko Jacket that Otsuchi Sashiko made with Keiko’s advise. This became a representable Sashiko art of Otsuchi Sashiko

Sashiko Exhibition Report Otsuchi Sashiko Bag — Each person (Artisans) in Otsuchi is in charge of completing one drawstring bag. It means, every bags has different stitching size, space, and therefore they are all unique. Knowing who makes the bag is something we would like to pass down

Share this Sashiko Exhibition Report

I am honored to receive many comments that they wish they could visit the show. An international travel isn’t easy to make. However, our goal is to share our Sashiko with as many people as possible. We may be able to visit your country, city, town if someone there could invite us to have Sashiko Exhibition there (also, Sashiko workshop is an option, too)

Please share this Sashiko Exhibition Report, and let’s hope that someday we can visit your place. We sincerely would like to share these beautiful works in person. We want you to touch, feel, and enjoy what we create & what we are proud of.

Sashiko Exhibition Report Keiko Greeting — Thank you for your time to read this Sashiko Exhibition Report. Keiko and Atsushi are looking forward to meeting you one day.

*We keep all the copyrights for the photos and text on this website. Please contact me if you would like to use a photo of Sashiko items on your website, SNS, and printing materials. We are happy to provide with better quality.

*I plan to update the Sashiko Exhibition Report as needed. This is version as of May 10th 2018.

#63 \| Blue Green Color	65 \| Light Green
66 \| Light Purple	68 \| Rose Purple
69 \| Deep Purple