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Sashiko Class 2021 Cover

Sashiko Class 2021 to 2022 to share what Sashiko is

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Sashiko became a well-known word in English for those who enjoy hand-sewing and crafting with textiles. I am happy that many people are interested in Sashiko, and enjoying Sashiko with sharing the inspiration they got from the Sashiko they see. However, unfortunately, the Sashiko translated in English is not enough to describe the whole picture of Sashiko: not many non-Japanese Sashiko teachers are teaching the core & essence of Sashiko. Sashiko in English is NOT wrong at all – however, they are insufficient. It is my pleasure and honor to share what Sashiko is for us with teaching the core technique of Sashiko & essence of why it is so important to focus on the process rather than the result. Anyone can learn & start enjoying Sashiko as we do by joining one of the learning opportunity I offer: Sashiko Class 2021 to 2022.

In 2021 and 2022, I offer several options, both Online and In-Person. Please check my schedule & availability. I am looking forward to meeting you soon!

Online Sashiko Class 2021

The year of 2020 with pandemic brought us very difficult time. However, at the same time, it was the time that we all needed to somewhat adjust to the availability. For me, it was a year of investing majority of my time & energy to improve the Online Sashiko Class. With cancelling all of the workshop in 2020 due to Covid-19, I had to shift everything I had to Online.

I am confident that anyone can learn the Core & Essence of Sashiko Online. This is the main & the most important class I offer. I receive many good reviews with prefering Online Class because they can watch my hands movement closely and slowly over and over again.

Register Atsushi’s Online Sashiko Class

You may find Atsushi’s Online Sashiko Class (Virtual Class) on other platform with slightly lower price. (As of Summer 2021, it is $330.00). I occasionally offer Sashiko Class online collaborating with other platform. I ask them strongly to match the price to our Online Sashiko Class, but the final decision will be determined by them (including some mistakes done by manually).

You may find our Online Sashiko Class on this official website as the most “expensive” choice. Please be advised that the other virtual online class will NOT offer the follow-up Live Session after the virtual class (some platform offer the recording of the virtual video & follow-up session with extra fees). The reason of the fee of Online Sashiko Class from my website is that I offer the “Full-Support”, until you can do it or until you completely give up while I will NOT give up on you). Although the Online Sashiko Class include only one virtual ticket to join the “Live Session” to confirm all of your learning, if a participant needs additional session to “be able to stitch like we do”, I will keep offering the time. I may offer the one-on-one session if necessary.

For me, “The learning of rhythm & practicing Sashiko in the rhythm” is the reason I share Sashiko. I sincerely would like you to be able to stitch in the rhythm – therefore, it would be very helpful if you would consider the Online Sashiko Class 2021. (*1) and (*2)

In-Person Sashiko Class / Workshop 2021

It is my sincere pleasure to start offering the In-Person Sashiko Class & Workshop as well. Although I am confident in sharing the technique & skill over Online Sashiko Class, it is also nice to meet in person and share the same moment. I will be there, right next to you, to share & teach Sashiko with my hands on your hands. Also, the biggest advantage of In-Person Sashiko Class / Workshop is that you can touch and feel what we make – the Sashiko we have been practicing. When the condition allow, I bring as many sample as possible with me. You may touch it and wear it for your inspiration. I will still try to limit the opporutnities of In-Person Sashiko Class, there are several of confirmed plann toward 2021 and 2022 (*3)

Sashiko Workshop: Core & Essence

Saturday August 14th: 10 am to 4 pm offered by Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, PA.

Register Sashiko Workshop by Contemporary Craft (in PA)

Special 3-Day Sashiko Workshop

Monday January 31st (2022) to Wednesday February 2nd, offered by Aya Fiber Studio in FL.

Register 3-Day Sashiko Workshop by Aya Fiber Studio (in FL)

Sashiko Workshop: Core & Essence / Application & Practice.

This is Sashiko Workshop for QuiltCon 2022 in Phoenix, AZ. QuiltCon 2022 will be held in FEBRUARY 16 – 20, 2022.

For more detail about Sashiko Workshop such as the contents, fee and how to register, please visit the QuiltCon webpage above, and follow the direction.

Visit the QuiltCon 2022 Website

Annotation

(*1) The Online Sashiko Class from this website comes with “Full-Support” I describe above. The Sashiko Online Workshop offered by other platform, the “Full-Support” may be available with additional fee. No matter where you learn from me, my goal is the same. I just would need to priotize the one who pay the full price. Thank you for your understanding.

(*2) Other Online Sashiko Classes via different platform offer the same contents as the Online Sashiko Class 2021. However, the personal support may be available with extra fee. Most of the platforms provide you to access the recording videos. If you would need the personal support, please visit our website to purchase the ticket to get the personal support.

(*3) Please be advised that the In-Person Sashiko Class offered in Central PA (where I live) is still unavailable due to my family condition. Please wait for an update for that. It is my hope to start having the participants soon.

Japan Tour Visiting Cover

Japan Tour visiting Sashiko actually exist.

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In an ordinary village in Japan, Sashiko (or something similar) existed. It is about the past. Many Sashiko Stories seem to be buried in history without names. Various kinds of Sashiko we can enjoy today are mostly “revived” versions of the Sashiko based on their local voice & stories. Most of the Japanese who had to practice Sashiko discontinued stitching for survival when they became wealthy enough to choose not to stitch. Their choice is a form of culture. The other people’s choice where they decided to revive is also another form of culture (*1).

You may wonder. Is there such a thing as “real Sashiko” in Japan now? Although I say most of the Sashiko we can find today are “revived” versions, Sashiko isn’t the history yet. As long as there are people stitching with living in Japan practicing Japanese culture as their ordinary, that is one real Sashiko I can define.

Well… It is very difficult to define what “real” is in Sashiko. Is it about the pattern or design? Is it about what to make for what purpose? Or the technique and how to? Although all of them can be a part of the definition of the “real Sashiko”, one very important essence of defining the real Sashiko is a sense of “community” – where people can belong. This is also my long-hoping dream to make it true – to make a place where people can feel as a community. (If you read Japanese, you can probably find me saying “居場所を作りたい（I want to make ‘the’ place)” all over the posts & videos. 

For this essence, Otsuchi Sashiko is probably the closest to the “real” Sashiko. They get together to do Sashiko, and they stitch not only for their leisure, but also for making their ends meet. This is the Sashiko community where we have not introduced ourselves in English well.

*You can visit Otsuchi Sashiko with us in May 2022 by joining our Sashiko Japan Tour.

Sashiko isn’t in history

Although most of the Sashiko in English are discussed based on the documents left, Sashiko is still an ongoing culture. I agree with the fact that the culture changes over time. It is changing now by those who practice Sashiko for their community. It will never be a whole picture of Sashiko when one ignores the on-going change in Japan. 

Otsuchi Sashiko Project (previously, it was called Otsuchi Sashiko Recovery Project) started as a welfare project to support the Tsunami survivors from the NorthEast Great Earthquake in 2011. It has been 10 years, and they have worked with so many local people there throughout sharing the Sashiko on-going practice. Sashiko isn’t in history yet.

*Please read the full description here:

Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project

It is my sincere privilege to be able to join the Otsuchi Sashiko project. In my stay there (2011 Nov to 2012 Feb), regardless of my position as “teacher” or “advisor”, I received a lot of learning from them. To be honest, “learning” is not a sufficient word for what I have received. It is something more important than “learning” – like enlightenment. I would like to share what I learned there because it is what I indeed received from the Sashiko practice.

Japan Tour Visiting where Sashiko Exists

The main theme of the Japan Tour we organize is to share the “On-Going practice” of Sashiko. There are a lot more I can share with actual people & their stitching. For example, some say it is impossible to make “authentic Boro”. It is a true statement because it requires a few hundreds years to create one. However, we can make the “future authentic Boro” by stitching as the Japanese would have done so many years ago. I would like to take you there to stitch together, enjoy together, and share the “place” created by Sashiko.

The town of Otsuchi is very far from major cities in Japan. The transportation isn’t so convenient to visit. Therefore, I will not plan a visit (unless I specifically design the tour to visit) Otsuchi Sashiko Project in my own Japan Tour. For the Tour in May 2022, thanks to a great organizer Koshiki-san, we will visit them and spend some time together – in the place Sashiko would connect us regardless of where we are from.

Of course, throughout the tour, I will be there with you and for you to learn what Sashiko/Boro for us. I have spent more than 400 hours to share more than 750 stories about Sashiko on Instagram & Facebook. I feel that I still have only shared 10% of the whole stories I would like to share. Yes, the core & essence of Sashiko can be mastered by taking my Online Sashiko Class or In-person workshop. Yes, there are many information available online to learn from. I just think, however, that the time I would spend with you in Japan focusing Sashiko would be incredible memories for us. I would like you to find your own “Place” – which you may have already so you can add to your life.

We offer Japan Tour visiting where Sashiko exists.

*1: There may(should) be a form of Sashiko in which the Japanese did not choose to discontinue. In Koginzashi & Hishizashi, there are another pile of many Sashiko Stories that I am not qualified to talk about. When my stories are completed, I will work on introducing their voices as well.

Sashiko Tour Japan Spring 2022 | with Tanpopo Journey

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Are you interested in Sashiko & sightseeing in Japan? If so, the Sashiko Tour Japan Spring 2022 with Tampopo Journey is the all-in-one package tour for you. Sashiko – a form of hand-stitching developed in Japan – has been introduced in English very widely. With some keywords such as “slow-stitching” and “visible mending”, Sashiko has became a trend in crafting & textile field. However, Sashiko is more than just a trend with slow stitching or visible mending. It is a part of Japanese ordinary days, and traveling Japan to visit Sashiko artisans with an active Sashiko artisan (Atsushi) right next to you, will provide the comprehensive expereince of the Sashiko we have been practicing.

With collaborating to Tanpopo Journey, an experienced tour agency, it will be a very unique & comfortable Sashiko Tour Japan to satisfy your expectation & preferneces. I will travel with you to share the Sashiko we have been praciticing. In addition to the Sashiko experience, you will enjoy “tourists” part of Japan. I am happy to share the Sashiko we practice in Japan with visiting many beautiful places & enjoying the delicious Japanese meals.

Two Sashiko Highlights of this Tour

This is very unique tour because Atsushi, a Sashiko artisan & Storyteller, will travel with you in most of the itenary (Atsushi will not visit Kanazawa to prepare the workshop in Takayama). On top of that, we will offer the very special Sashiko Workshops collaborating with our family & friends – Keiko Futatsuya & Otsuchi Sashiko Project. There are many Sashiko Tours to Japan available. However, I can say out-loud, these 2 workshops with Atsushi’s translation & explanation will be available only in this tour.

Reserve your seat in Sashiko Tour Japan with Tanpopo Journey

Visiting Otsuchi Sashiko Project

If you are interested in Japanese Sashiko, and have not yet heard about Otsuchi Sashiko Project, then your understanding of Sashiko in Japan may be filtered (biased). Otsuchi Sashiko Project is one of the “community business” where people apply Sashiko to maintain their economical sustainability. Sashiko has become a form of hobby. Not many people can make ends meet by just doing Sashiko. I respect those who have been trying to revive the Sashiko from history & trying to pass it down to the next generation as a lifework (like me & Upcycle Stitches).

The essnece of Sashiko exists in the ordinary of Japanese culture. For that, Otsuchi Sashiko with trying to keep the economy moving within their project (a form of community business) is the on-going phenomina of Sashiko in Japan.

I will share everything I know about the Otsuchi Sashiko.

Learn about Otsuchi Sashiko Project via Upcycle Stitches

Meet Keiko & Learn from her artistry

Sashiko Tour Japan Keiko

I say Sashiko isn’t (Fine) Art because the essene of Sashiko existed in the ordinary. The definition of “Art” may bring Sashiko to the extraordinary side, and therefore I have not still yet considered Sashiko as the Art. However, what Keiko makes me think that Sashiko can be an Art. Her Sashiko isn’t traditional (which I will explain why in the tour), yet following the essence & core of Sashiko very much.

With visiting Keiko, we will have a day with Keiko’s workshop – making “Authentic Boro to be” pieces in playing with the fabrics (Both vintage & authentic Japanese fabric).

*We no longer offer the Sashiko Workshop by Keiko. A workshop may be arranged for those who took Atsushi’s Online Class and/or in-person workshop. Even that, due to Covid-19 & her condition, it will most likely “impossible” to offer her workshop. In this Sashiko Tour, I will make sure to be there with her and support her workshops. This is the opportunity to meet Keiko & learn from her (She doesn’t talk English, but I will be there to translate.)

Other Highlights of this tour

Please visit the official page for Sashiko Tour Japan Spring 2022 with Tanpopo journey for the details of itenary. The tour is focused on Sashiko, but it includes many other sightseeing & expereience opportunities as follows.

  • Welcome dinner & sashiko workshop
  • Take a tour of the Tsukiji Fish Market and have fresh sushi for lunch
  • Visit Tsutaya Edomoji Studio
  • Guided arts and crafts tour of Iwate prefecture
  • Visit stencil dye and homespun studios
  • Take a cooking class from a local women’s group
  • Workshop with Otsuchi Sashiko Recovery Project
  • Kanazawa sightseeing
  • Kutani Pottery Studio Visit
  • Feather & needle art workshop (optional)
  • Gold leaf application workshop (optional)
  • All-day sashiko workshop in Takayama
  • Day-trip to Shirakawago, UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Fabric Shopping in Textile Town
  • Farewell Dinner

Travel Details – Sashiko Tour Japan Spring 2022

Sashiko Tour Japan Welcome

Date: May 8 – May 19, 2022
price: $5,999 per person, single occupancy*

what’s included:
– Hotels & local transportation
– Workshops & demonstrations
– Some meals
– Guide/interpreter
– Transportation to/from hotel on the first/last day of tour
– $100 charitable donation to Otsuchi Sashiko Recovery Project (NPO)

what’s not included:
– Travel or medical insurance
– Flight to/from Japan
– Personal spending including:
– Shopping, alcohol, laundry, some meals
– Online-sashiko workshop / In-person Sashiko Workshop prior to the tour (Prerequisite)

Reserve Your Seat for Sashiko Tour Japan with Tanpopo Journey
Why is Sashiko Class prerequisite?

Please imagine that we will go to a Cycling Tour to Japan with planning to visit mahy cycling courses. You would need to learn how to ride a bycicle before the Cycling tour. This Sashiko Tour is operated with the similar idea. We will enjoy a lot of Sashiko stitching in 11 days tour. In those experience, the core technique of “Unshin (Needle Movement)” is a necessary skill to have. The participants do not need to “master” the technique or posture. However, they have to be aware of the idea & technique so that we can practice in the tour.

Some may think that they are experienced in Sashiko. However, unfortunately, I have not met anyone who practice Unshin like we do without taking our Sashiko Class. Therefore, in order to be fair with everyone, the Sashiko Class by Atsushi is prerequisite for this Sashiko Tour Japan.

If you have taken Atsushi’s Workshop (more than 3 hours length), please contact us with the email you took the workshop with. We should have you in the system, and we are happy to welcome you with some follow-ups.

Visit a Special Website for Sashiko Tour Japan & Workshops
Sashiko Japan Tour 2022

Sashiko Japan Tour in 2022 with Atsushi

atsushijp Leave a comment

It is my sincere pleasure to share the plan of Sashiko Japan Tour in 2022. I cannot believe I have not been back to Japan for more than 7 years. Last year, in October 2020, I had planned to visit Japan with my Sashiko friends as Sashiko Japan Tour 2020. However, due to the pandemic, I had to cancel the whole trip. Although the global pandemic is not over yet, with proper vaccination, I sincerely hope that we can travel internationally again. In 2022, we have one Sashiko Japan Tour already planned throughly, and another Sashiko Japan Tour which is still in a stage of brain-storming (asking for preferences). In order to avoid confusion, I would like to explain the difference here.

Focuses on Sashiko Japan Tour

The focus & theme of Sashiko Japan Tour is, of course, Sashiko and its related topics such as Boro, Kofu (vintage fabrics) and other hand-stitching culture in Japan. The 2 tours planned for 2022 has different itenary to fulfill everyone’s preference. I hope this article will be helpful to decide.

  1. Sashiko Tour with Tanpopo Journey (May 8th to May 19th)
  2. Sashiko Tour with Upcycle Stitches (Sometimes in Sep/Oct in 2022 / About 10 days / No Link Yet)

*I receive many request to arrange the workshop in Japan. We are very limited to do so currently. Joining the tour is the best way to get the workshop by Both Keiko & Atsushi. (Article about Sashiko Workshops in Japan).

If you are interested, please fill out the Google Form so that I can follow-up with your preferences.

Sashiko Tour with Tanpopo Journey

This will be a very well-organized tour to Japan with focusing on Sashiko & other textiles. Koshiki Smith, the organizer & travel guilde is very well experienced in the travel in Japan, and everything will be arranged by her. I will be in charge of the workshops related to Sashiko and Boro, and some other small lectures & small-talks in the trip.

The Sashiko Tour I had planned in 2020 was very “Sashiko & textile-Focused” tour. Since the idea was to bring my Sashiko friends to Japan, there wouldn’t be any “sight-seeing” opportunities (unless the participants plan it for themselves before or after the tour). This Sashiko Tour with Tanpopo Journey includes many sight-seeing opportunities on top of the core Sashiko experience. Please check their website for the details.

The highlight of this tour would be:

  • Several Sashiko/Boro Workshops in the Trip, including one with Keiko
  • Visiting Otsuchi to meet Sashiko artisans there, where they changed Atsushi completely.
  • Comprehensive understanding of the Sashiko Atsushi has been practicing.
  • Many other Sight-seeing opportunities
  • Other craft workshops availability
  • Well orgnized trip with 2 translator (Koshiki & Atsushi).
  • Good amount of time for shopping
  • Date: may 8 – may 19, 2022
  • Price: $5,999 per person, single occupancy
Reserve your Spot for Sashiko Tour in May 2022

Sashiko Tour with Upcycle Stitches

To be honest, I cannot promise that I will make this tour happen in the Fall 2022. Depends on the pandemic situation, I may need to postpone it again. However, I am determined to make it happen. If not Fall 2022, then Spring 2023. If not Spring 2023, then Fall 2023. (Winter & Summer are not the ideal time to travel for Sashiko – too snowy or too humid).

The concept is very simple: To “Go Back” to Japan where Atsushi like(d) & live(d). I will be solo-organizer for this trip, and I do not plan to hire a travel agency for this trip. For that matter, a “tour” may not be the best description. However, I will make the itenary and will prepare all of the necessary reservations. The participants will not need to do anything but keep stitching. It will be very “experienced-focus” workshop with Sashiko, Boro, Kofu and Dyeing (the Sashiko thread/fabrics). Therefore, there will not be any sightseeing opportunity.

It also requires the participants to know me first. If this is the first time for you to meet me, I will arrange several Online Meeting opportunities & ask to complete some reading materials. I may not be able to help everyone for their translation as they needed. Therefore, if you are traveling to Japan for the first time, I strongly recommend joining the Sashiko Tour with Tanpopo Journey above. If you are comfortable to be alone at some point of the tour in Japan and not interested in sightseeing so much, this is the tour for you (You can, of course, arrange the sightseeing option before & after the workshop. I will help you as much as I can).

The highlight of this tour would be:

  • A few days Sashiko & Boro workshop with Keiko in Takayama.
  • A possible Natural Dye Workshop (Not confirmed & still negotiating).
  • A lot of time in stitching & experiencing.
  • A longer time to stay in one place – the feeling of living there (less traveling)
  • Date: About 10 days in September or October in 2022
  • Price: $5,499 per person, single occupancy (Estimate / We may stay in a house together such as AirBnB).

*If you have signed up for the Sashiko Japan Tour 2020 that I had planned, please expect the same itenary & contents. The price may go up due to the steep inflation, but I will be honest to what we can do.

*If you have trusted me & supported me by letting me to keep the deposit for Sashiko Japan Tour 2020, the deposit can be applied to either tour. Please contact me for the details.

Google Form for me to follow up.

Sashiko Customer Support

Sashiko Customer Support | Thank you for your support

atsushijp Leave a comment

It is my sincere hope to support our customers who purchase Sashiko supplies & tools from us. This is a website for Sashiko Customer Support. Since I am a “one-man business”, the support may be a bit slow. However, I will not just ignore your reasonable request. Meanwhile, a lot of questions you may have is already answered. Please check the answers & videos as our Sashiko Customer Support.

Thank you very much for your support. Your feedback is greatly & always Appreciated. (Your review is the best support I can ask for. Please refer the article for “How to Leave a Review” on our website).

(Last Edit: 4/23/2021 – I will continue editing)

FAQ as the initial Sashiko Customer Support

Please check the Q&A for the initial Sashiko Customer Support. Your question is/was someone’s question. There may be a good information available there.

Sashiko Frequently Asked Questions

How to keep Sashiko Thread in a good shape

Our Sashiko Thread is very unique. Please watch a video for “how to keep it in a good shape”. The article is also available here (with captions).

How to keep the stitches even

It is probably the most frequent questions I receive – “How can you keep the stitches so even”. It is challeneing to answer the question in one sentence. However, in order to share the beauty of this technique, I share it in our Sashiko Class (Online / In-person). Please consider taking it. I will make sure that you can stitch in the rhythm – and in the rhythmical stitching, your stitches will be even (automatically & eventually).

If you have already sign-up the class, please check your email box. You should have received the official welcome email with various follow-up & video links. Also, please check this website for the detail information.

How to prepare/handle the fabric I purchase?

The fabric we sell in our store usually do not require the pre-wash to align the fabric before you start stitching. The exception would be when you would use the “very” edge of the fabric for your project. If you would woul to have a great Sashiko stitching within 0.5-inch from the edge, then please soak the fabric into the water & try to align the fabric. (The fabric may be a bit twisted in a process of cutting into pieces).


For the color of the Indigo Fabric, the Indigo Color may come out for the first few times. After stitching, please hand-wash for the first few times without other fabrics to avoid the color transfer. After you confirm no color comes out, you may wash with other clothes. When the thread we offer is used, the Indigo color in the washing water will not change the color of thread.

*The Indigo Fabric I talked here is this one. Some swatches may not breach the color out in washing.

How to wash & dry the fabric

Since they are quite valuable fabric, hand-wash is always recommended. Drying on the table laying down the fabric instead of handging would be better to be kind to the fabric. However, since the fabric is strong, after confirming the color not coming out of the fabric, putting them into the washing machine will not damage the fabric significantly. It isn’t recommended so much, but even a tumble dry with high heat is okay. (I have a Samue – craftman jakect that I made from the Indigo fabric above – I have been washing it in the washing machine & drying it in the dryer… for more than 5 years, and it is still in a good shape).

I want you to care for the fabric. At the same time, Sashiko is the wisdom to make the fabric more durable in these harsh condition. So… “after several hand-wash“, it is okay to mix with other cloth.

*If you purchase the vintage fabric and/or a Jacket made with vintage fabric and Natural Dye Thread, please do not use the washing machine & dryer. It will add the “artificial” damage, and it can end up with destroying the fabric & color.

How to handle the Natural Dye Items?

We carefully hand-dye our Sashiko thread with some Natural Ingredience. The Natural Dye items are very beautiful. However, it isn’t so “strong” as the other mass-produced thread. For example, a spoon of breach “can” white out all of the colors. In order to avoid the unfortunate color change, please read the article below.

The Color Changes in Natural Dye by using it over time. We find it the beauty of Natural Dye. I hope you enjoy it as well.

How to handle Natural Dye Thread & fabric

Online Sashiko Class 2021 Update

Online Sashiko Class 2021 Update

atsushijp Leave a comment

It has been almost 2 years since I had started offering the Online Sashiko Class. It has been a great pleasure to share the Sashiko we have been practicing with Sashiko practitioners all over the world. Under Covid-19 pandemic, it helped me to go though the difficulties as well. I appreciate for those who support & show their willingness to learn. There are many wonderful Sashiko artisans coming from the Online Sashiko Class. It is my dream to share their artworks on our website as well. This is an announcement for the Online Sashiko Class 2021.

Online Sashiko Class 2021 Update

The Online Sashiko Class 2021 is the essential class to learn the Sashiko we have been practicing & would like to pass down. Our Sashiko requires the technique/stitching-form so called “Unshin“, and the Online Sashiko Class will help you to be able to stitch like we do.

After 2 years of experience in teaching Online, I am confident to say that anyone can stitch like we do when they follow step-by-step tutorials. One can, of course, learn Unshin by watching our Youtube videos. However, this Online Sashiko Class 2021 will give you the most efficient/quick route to master the Unshin. Some feel comfortable in stitching as fast as within a few hours. Please consider taking the Online Sashiko Class to avoid unnecessary detour (learn-by-watch can take you to a lot of detours – which isn’t bad, but not so efficient). Also, your willingness to take the Online Sashiko Class will help me to continue sharing the Sashiko We practice.

The Unshin you will learn (the right side of hand-stitching)

On Our Youtube Channel (https://youtu.be/rjEOWfY_6v0)

Price Adjustment in May 2021

I plan to increase the workshop price in May 2021 due to the increase of shipping fee as well as other price changes. It isn’t a great annoucement, and I feel bad about that. However. in order to keep our activities sustainable, your understanding is very much appreciated. I am thiking about 8% of increase in its price.

If you register the workshop in April 2021, the price will be the same. You will have (more than) a year to complete the Online Sashiko Class 2021. It usually take 3~4 hours to watch the videos & another 3~4 hours of practice stitching before 1-hour Live Session. After that, you should be able to find your own Sashiko. After you find your own rhythm, the more you practice Sashiko, the better your Sashiko will get.

Registration for Online Sashiko Class 2021

For current Online Sashiko Class students

I sincerely appreicate your support & willingness to learn. I had sent you an important announcement on April 1st 2021 regarding the password change.

If your registration date for the Online Sashiko Class is after January 1st 2020, there is no action needed. Do Not Worry About it. Please find time for you to learn Sashiko via Online Sashiko Class 2021.

If your registaraation date for the Online Sashiko Class is before December 31st 2019, please check the email for the detail. The Online Sashiko Class has “one-year subscription policy” (as stated in the Online Sashiko Class description). The purpose of this policy is following: (1) to keep the video platform safe & healthy (2) to encourage you to learn Sashiko since you paid for that amount.

At the same time, I understand anything can happen in this busy society. The one-year subscription is not a rigid regulation. I will consider your case & extend it until you learn Sashiko. After all, my goal is to share the Sashiko we would like to pass down. Once you learn the Unshin in Online Sashiko Class & get a follow-up Live Session, you may not need to continue watching the videos. However I understand the needs of keep watching it. For those, I will offer the extended subscription with small fee and/or some favor to ask (like writing reviews, collaborating on Social media, and such).

Again, as I always say in the Live Session, once you learn the Sashiko we practice (the Unshin we would like to pass down), you are our friends. I will keep supporting you. This announcement is for keeping our “vimeo” account safe & secure. I appreciate your understanding.

(Important Note)

All of the notification regarding the Online Sashiko Class is done via Google Group. If you have registered the Online Sashiko Class, and have not received any updates, please contact me as soon as possible.

Advanced Online Sashiko Class

I have received several request to create some advanced Online Sashiko Class. Honestly speaking, after learning the Unshin, one doesn’t need the Advanced Online Sashiko Class. However, it is important to understand & accomodate the needs. I will work on it, and your requests on this article would be very much appreciated. Please leave the comment if you have any specific request!

Thank you & Enjoy Sashiko!

Sashiko Copyright

Sashiko Copyright Policy on our Stories & photos

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As Sashiko gets popular, I receive many kinds of questions & requests. Please check this article for Sashiko Copyright on our stories and photos. As a summary, one may refer a photo and/or a story (caption) without for free with appropriatie citation. We do not give up the copyrights, though. If you are interested in using our photos and stories for commertial purpose, please contact us for the details.

Summary of Sashiko Copyright and Usage

  • Contribution/Writing
    • Commercial Purpose such as publication, part of the books, and/or product description: With Fee.
    • Academic purpose: Maybe without fee.
  • Interview on Zoom/Phone
    • Commercial Purpose: Maybe without fee
    • Academic purpose: Free of charge
  • Using a photo of our Sashiko work & reposting
    • Commercial Purpose: With Fee
    • Non-Commercial Purpose: Free of charge with proper citation

Reposting our photos & Stories

Please feel free to use our photos & stories which I have already made them public on Instagram, Facebook, or on this website. We have not given up the copyright. Therefore, please use the proper citation to the origin of the photo (if it is from Instagram, put the account name to share where the photo/story is from). As far as the proper citation is done, there is no need to contact me.

If you would like to use our photos/captions for your business, please contact me first. Based on your intention & request, I may be able to offer something for free of charge.

Translating our Sashiko Stories

If you are willing to translate what I share, please feel free to do so with proper citation. I will not be responsible for te translation on your ends, but I am happy to communicate to the people outside of Japanese & English lanuguage.

Reasoning behind the Fees

You may wonder why I charge fees on writing, and not on Interview. It is the same “time” that I need to contribute. What I care here is “who will be responsible on publication”.

The contents, either writing, audio or video, will be the responsibility of interviewer based on what I was intereviewed on. I do not have any control to what the interviewer summarize. Therefore, the responsibility will not be mine. However, when I write/contribute to a publication, books, and other media, the “writing itself” will carry the responsibility for me to “write” what I really want to share. In order to make sure that I write what I need to write, I charge fee & will spend more time on writing. By charging fee, it is also okay for the author to change their mind. Often, because the general understanding of Sashiko may be different, I do not write what the author may be expecting me to write.

The category of “Maybe with Fee” is that I do not have a specific rule for this category. If you can offer me something besides monetary compensation, I am happy to consider that.

Please do basic research before asking

Basically speaking, it is my pleasure to share the photos & stories with other media and individuals. It is pretty much the whole purpose of what I do – to share the Sashiko we practice. However, unfortunately, in last 4 years of sharing Sashiko, I have had quite sad & painful experiences in this “Copyright and sharing”. There was an author who contacted me, asking me to write a section about Sashiko. I asked for the compensation, if not, taking the Sashiko Class so that we could be on the same page. The answer was “Oh, there are people who wish to ‘pay’ me to write for publicity. I will find someone else”. Well… that’s how sad the communication can be.

I am a human, so I may write for the purpose of publicity. However, I will never distort what I would like to share for the profit or publicity. I write what I need to write. If I write what I need to write for free of charge, then the author may just throw it away to the trash bin (if the contents of my contribution didn’t match to the author’s goal).

I share a lot of stories on SNS, this website, and Patreon. Please do basic research first before contacting me.

Please read the related article about this topic as well.

Sashiko Contribution | when you need Atsushi to write

The article about Sashiko Contribution in writing (2019)

Sashiko Talk Cover

Sashiko Talk to share the unedited voice of Our Sashiko

atsushijp Leave a comment

It is my sincere wish to share as many stories as possible in sharing the Sashiko we practice. The Youtube Playlist of “Sashiko Stories” is one of my challenges. Also, a daily update on Instagram with Sashiko Story is another challenge to share the stories. In addition to these platform, I am adding another challenge to share more stories: Sashiko Talk – where I can share the unedited voice of our Sashiko.

The true value of Sashiko Talk

In today’s society where anyone can say anything on any topics with modifying the surface, I realize it is very valuable to share the “unedited version” of its practice – here, Sashiko. “Sashiko Live Streaming” is the answer to this relization. I have been receving many compliment to the Live Streaming where viewers can enjoy our Sashiko stories while watching how I would do Sashiko stitching. At the same time, in the new normal of Covid-19, scheduling the Live-Streaming became very challenging. When the Live Streaming is not scheduled, it became quite difficult for me to talk on a specific subject because English is not my first language.

Sashiko Talk is similar to the Sashiko Live Streaming. The difference is that I invite my Sashiko friends to talk about Sashiko instead of me talking by myself. With having conversation partners, I can elaborate my stories even better. It is my intention for you to listen to the Youtube video as if you are the part of the group. Please bring your own Sashiko project, and stitch together while enjoying the Sashiko Talk.

I often talk by myself. On SNS, in Live Streaming, my voice tend to be understood as my opinion. Listening to the voices around my voice is the true value of Sashiko talk – to balance what I keep saying.

I would like to invite “anyone” interested in Sashiko eventually. As of now, I priotize the people I already know (such as in Patreon / Sashiko Online Class). If you have a strong desire to be on Sashiko Talk, please contact me with introducing who you are. I am happy to consider, but I would like to know you first.

Archives of Sashiko Talk in 2021

I am still improving the way of filiming us & broadcasting the video. By listening to those talks, I believe you will understand what Sashiko is for us much better than just reading books. Please let me know if you have any requests to bring up as a topic.

3rd Talk on 2/28

Theme: How Sashiko became the part of your day.

2nd Talk on 2/23

Theme: Tries & Errors made today’s Sashiko

First Talk on 2/14

Q&A: Knots or No Knots

Sashiko Story

Sashiko Story to share what Sashiko is for us.

atsushijp 4 Comments

Sashiko became very popular in a variety of interpretation. I am happy that many people are interested in Sashiko. However, Sashiko is more than just hand-stitching. We have Sashiko Story to share what Sashiko is for us, for the Japanese. Please follow the Instagram/Facebook Account to read our Sashiko Story. Your understanding of Sashiko is probably not wrong, but probably insufficient. I share Sashiko Stories to fulfill the missing essence.

Sashiko Story on Instagram

I make myself to share a Sashiko Story a day with introducing the photos of our Sashiko. All of the Sashiko on the photos are done by us: either myself, my mother Keiko, and/or our Sashiko friends who help our Sashi.Co project (or altogether).

Sharing Sashiko Story is a contribution I can do to the Sashiko Tradition. It is all free. Please follow the account & enjoy how Sashiko can be more than just stitching.

This is a comparison photo of back & front of one “Boro To be Jacket” we are working on. There are stories behind why we make one side “back” and one side “Front”. Sashiko Stories are the significance of the Japanese culture.

Support Atsushi’s Storytelling on Patreon

Sashiko is our life. Sharing Sashiko Story includes sharing very personal stories. Unfortunately, it is too risky to share “everything” where anyone can reach to. I have had very painful experiences caused by cruel trolls. Without many encouragement from followers & supporters on Patreon, I would have stopped sharing it. It can be too painful.

As a return to the support, I share very honest & personal stories on Patreon platform. I am willing to take a risk to share “everything” where they are willing to spend some money on what I write.

There are more than 100 articles in Patreon, and they are all exclusive. Your support to what Atsushi shares is very much appreciated.

https://www.patreon.com/sashiko

(Patreon Video is coming up soon).

Sashiko make knots or No Knots

Does Sashiko make knots or No Knots?

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One of the frequent questions I receive is about “Knots” at the beginning & ending of Sashiko stitching. “Does Sashiko make knots or No knots?” can be a confusing questions because a learner can find many kinds of answers. It is very understandle to wonder it because one book say “Make knots”, and the other article says “Do not make knots”. 

Sashiko make Knots Or Not?

I answer the question on Live Streaming since a listener asked a question.

The Question/request was:

  • A request for discussion on “Knots”and “No-Knots” in Sashiko.
  • Is there variety in traditions among stitches?
  • Is the book oversimplified?

For the answer, please watch the Youtube video & read the summary below. This article is for those who would need a script to understand the video contents.

Script in Youtube after the unedit version of my answer (Please start from:)

After my personal answer to this question,    I then moved to a discussion with Sharron if we can find a similar example in the US ordinary. Although it is not the exact same discussion, we came up with an interesting topic – the topping of “pineapple” on pizza. If you are interested, please check the whole Live Streaming on Feb.14th 2021 (https://youtu.be/mwqrEtbbnGA  ).

To summarize the question if a Sashiko stitcher should make a knot or should avoid making a knot in Sashiko stitching, I would summarize as follows.

  1. There is no “should” in the decision of making a knot or not. It is based on the preference & project condition. However, I want a Sashiko stitcher to be able to choose. There is a big difference between “Can’t” and “Don’t”. One shouldn’t say that “It is normal to make knots in Sashiko” without the ability to avoid making knots.
  2. Sashiko existed in numbers of places and communities in Japan. Therefore, there is much variety in traditions among stitches. However, within my understanding, all of the Sashiko Stitchers I had to talk to chose Kasane or making knots. They all can “choose”. That’s what I want you to aim for. 
  3. It is almost impossible to write the whole picture of Sashiko in one book. It is similar to writing a book about “All cooking” in one book. We would need to focus on each cooking style like “How to make some Japanese ◯◯”. For that, some books I know are oversimplified without proper explanation.

There are many reasons why the Japanese use Kasane to avoid knots. It is very important to learn why & how to avoid the Cultural Appropriation. It makes so much sense when we learn the stories. The Sashiko was a stitching practice in poverty. They didn’t have luxury to cover the backside of Fabric. They wanted to make the backside as beautiful as the front. Then, the knots became a problem.

Meanwhile, when the purpose is for purely mending, knots could be must, therefore we can find knots in some Boro pieces. 

Please try to see the whole picture of Sashiko

It is my goal to share the “whole” picture of Sashiko. Please follow our channel & account to learn more about Sashiko. The knowledge you have about Sashiko is probably correct – however, if you do not read Japanese, I can say your knowledge of Sashiko is not sufficient yet. 

Not knowing is okay. I am here for that. Please do not ignore the voice once you learn the “whole”.

I added some links to useful articles & information in the description field. I hope you enjoy it.

  • Video of explaining Kasane (no-knots): https://youtu.be/st3kzcZezoQ
  • Cultural Description about Kasane: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJlin8YJHmJ/

Learn about Kasane (avoid Sashiko make knots)

Sashiko Kasane | Wisdom of Overlay Stitches
Sashiko Kasane | Wisdom of Overlay Stitches