May 26, 2023 at 12:22PM

Npr, Life Kit Podcast, [Extended the life of your clothes with visible mending] is released on 5/25. A short interview of my idea toward mending is included. You may wonder, “Visible Mending” isn’t really Sashiko if I understand Atsushi’s story correctly. Yes, Sashiko isn’t the word for Visible Mending – and therefore, the producer of this podcast carefully asked me if her understanding of Sashiko in Visible Mending is appropriate.

For a few minutes of the interview, we spent hours of time delivering the message. It is the work done by the professional. She worried if her “Story” wasn’t filtering any of my messages. I appreciate her caring a lot, but I have no worries about her work: because what I ask is the “acknowledgement” of the Japanese artisans’ voice behind the trend, and her spending so much energy on my voice is already a sign of acknowledgement. The interpretation with acknowledgement will not harm anyone.

We now celebrate the “Visible Mending” mostly as a “Choice”. The origin of Sashiko is, however, the stitching to “Avoid Mending” out of “No Choice”. Mending is an important part of Sashiko, but embracing whatever visible mending (or even to damage the fabric to apply visible mending) calling it Sashiko (or Boro) is ignoring the origin. You don’t find a lot of mending work in my Account. Instead, you see a lot of stitching on the Denim. I enjoy Sashiko as a Choice, and I would like to respect those who were part of this Sashiko Culture by imagining what they would have chosen.





配信で思いつくことを縦横無尽に話し続けていると、どんどんと立っている場所の地面が踏み固められるような気がしていて。自分の立ち位置に気がついたのも最近ですが、針を動かしながら言葉として紡ぎ続けることによって、「それで結局何がしたいの?」という、誰もが持つであろう疑問に答えを常にアップデートしながら持ち歩けたらと思っています。配信では麻の葉ばかり刺し子をしていますが、デニムにもぼちぼちと。米刺しとデニムの相性の良さ、色糸の使い方で楽しんでたりしております。

#Sashiko #SashikoDenim #刺し子 #刺し子デニム


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May 24, 2023 at 08:58PM

The “Story” I often mention here can be rephrased as “Context” (not exactly the same, but both Story & Context are important to keep our Sashiko Sustainable). In a digital world where “0” and “1” can be the whole, we sometimes “lose” the context – or in different ways to phrase… context is no longer there in our communication? Anyhow, in order to understand the Japanese Culture & its practice, it is essential to read “between lines” – it is expected to understand what is “not” written/spoken/told. The Sashiko I grew up with is of course part of it.

You may have heard of the 2 different cultures: “Ask” and ”Guess”. When you look for the articles online, I believe you can find the one you like about “Ask” culture and “Guess” culture. Needless to say, Sashiko is fully soaked into the “Guess” Culture – at least the Sashiko I grew up with didn’t have even 1 percent of “Ask” Culture.

It isn’t a discussion of which is better, or “right”. It is the matter of “acknowledgement”. Unfortunately, there is no way to understand Sashiko fully without compromising the “Ask” Culture. In the process of trying “Guess” Culture, then “it” will start revealing it. In my writing, I intend to make you “think” – or encourage you to read between lines – “guess”. Some say I am mean because I do not offer “the answer”… No, me answering will not bring them the “answer” for what they are asking. It is quite difficult, yet it is something I need to challenge to sustain the culture & Sashiko we practice.





妻と話をしていて、「Ask & Guess」という二つの文化の違いについて本を読むように勧められたので、ちょこっとだけ目を通すようにしています。日本語だと「言ってみる人と空気を読む人」と訳す人もいて、なるほどなぁと。今週の配信はこの話をしてみようかなと思っています。言うまでもなく、刺し子は「Guess」の文化で育まれ、私は「Ask」の文化で刺し子を教えています。そりゃ大変なわけですよ。

#Sashiko #刺し子


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May 23, 2023 at 08:16PM

The release of the Course [Introduction to Japanese Sashiko] was a bit of (actually a quite) surprise. A good surprise, but I was told that the release date would be this winter. Right after I came back from Japan, I started preparing for the release. Finally, I have a moment to think back about the Japan Trip, the first time in 10 years. A lot of things are behind schedule… I am working hard to catch up (Sorry if I were making you wait!).

When I describe Sashiko, I often say Sashiko is a never ending story. For us, stitching is “adding” stories, big or small, positive or negative, we all have stories day by day. Therefore, I say there is no such a thing as “Right or Wrong” in Sashiko – only preference. Since it is “your” story, I do not want you to follow someone’s rule – especially if that “someone” is just using the word without proper understanding of what it is.

To be honest, I didn’t (still don’t) understand how I offer the Online Course on Domestika, where many artists share their aesthetics. I was (still am) nervous if my stories meet the expectation because I do not consider myself as an “Artist”. I am just sharing stories I “had to” listen to, yet these stories are probably something we need now as we may have chosen to focus on something else over our own stories. I hope the Sashiko Story I share encourages you/them to learn more about yourself (their stories) while learning Japanese stitching. We are all on the line of stories, and when we connect each story, it will be another line to the future, as you can see in Sashiko.





先週公開した刺し子オンライン講座ですが、実は今年の冬の公開予定だったのです(笑)それが半年も前倒しになって、日本での楽しかった時間からこちらに戻った瞬間に山のような仕事に追われてしまっておりました。1ヶ月弱の時間を経て、漸く日本での思い出に浸れるようになっています。言葉として残しておきたいことが沢山です。また色々宿題として頂いていることも少しずつ形にしていきます。(お待たせしてしまっている方、ごめんなさい!一つずつ追いついていきます!)。

刺し子講座、日本からもご購入を頂いているみたいでありがたい限りです。前編英語ですが、字幕もつくので英語の勉強しがてら…と英語にも興味がある方は刺し子を学びながら英語も学んで頂ければ嬉しいです。リンクはストーリーのハイライト、あるいはプロフィールのリンクから飛んで頂けます。材料も日本国内で準備できるものなので、恵子さんにお願いして順次形にできればと思っています。また今週も配信で講座のお話が沢山できそうです。

#Sashiko #刺し子


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May 22, 2023 at 10:43AM

You may remember the statement I made when I realized the strong trend of Sashiko a few years ago. I wrote: “I hope I can be a small stone in this Sashiko trend to create a small whirlpool”. The same statement is with me. Now, it has become my “mission” rather than a “hope”.

My goal in Sashiko – in this account – is to “pass down” the Sashiko we practice. Initial goal was to leave as many stories, photos and videos as possible so that someone in the future can reach the voices about Sashiko from Japanese. Then, my goal developed to “include” more people who do not have a voice in English to speak up.

The trend is a “flow”. Once the direction is “determined”, it is very challenging to go against, or even stand still. If my goal is to be “famous”, or get instant/momentary cash, it is best to follow the trend. However, as the flow is too strong, this trend is leaving someone very important behind – in this case, the Japanese who actually practice Sashiko for many decades. “Sashiko” became the culture without the Japanese who actually had spent their life with. Is it intentional? Or unfortunate results? I don’t know. If it happened by unfortunate misunderstanding, I am here to share & welcome to sashiko. If it is intentionally done by someone to take profit out of the word “Sashiko”, then I need your help to be a stable stone.

I NEVER say “Only Japanese can/should practice Sashiko”. All I am saying is don’t leave them behind. Everything has “upstream”. Don’t ignore it. Please acknowledge where “it” comes from. Otherwise, when the upstream is lost, we will have no “flow” we can all benefit from.





オフ会で恵子さんと直接ご挨拶をして下さった方々には、「恵子さんはお茶目な方で」とお褒めの言葉を頂きます。確かに無邪気で可愛いところもあるのですが、息子としてみる恵子さんは、(当たり前ですが)ドロドロの部分も持ち合わせています。そのカケラは恵子さんの刺し子の本質とも言える言葉にも現れています。「もう一度、舞台に立たせてやるからな」という布に対してかける言葉。布における「舞台」とはきっと「(衣類として)使われること」であり、存在価値がなくなりかけている布に息吹を吹き込むのが恵子さんの刺し子です。きっとこれは、恵子さんが自分自身へ投げかけている激励でもあると思っています。当たり前ですが、私達には物語があります。私は文字を中心に。恵子さんは刺し子を中心に。少しでも残せたら良いなと思っています。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #Boro #襤褸


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May 21, 2023 at 01:04PM

As I now have the “Recommendation for the Introduction of Sashiko”, let me introduce myself once again. I am Atsushi, and I consider myself as a Sashiko Artisan & Story-Teller. I teach the most important element of Sashiko – Unshin – as the [Core & Essence] of Sashiko in English, both Online & In-Person Workshop. As I teach Sashiko, I learn a lot, too. Then, I realize the need of someone speaking up about “filtered Culture”. The Sashiko introduced in English is NOT wrong, but not “sufficient” to be taught as the whole picture of Sashiko. To answer what can be “missing” in Sashiko in English, I recently released the introductory course on Domestika. I hope this will be a bridge from appropriation to appreciation in Sashiko.

I was born in a Sashiko family (where they made a living by doing Sashiko). As I hated Sashiko in my childhood & youth, I don’t consider myself as a good Sashiko stitcher. There are a lot more skilled Sashiko Artisans. However, the amount of Sashiko I have looked at & the time I had spent thinking what Sashiko is about are the absolute values I am proud of. I am here to share stories so that we can ask you to support the “culturally sustainable” Sashiko.

Photo: ©Domestika.




英語でのお勧め講座もできたところで、改めて簡単に自己紹介をば。現在米国東海岸在住で、英語を中心に刺し子を教えています。「刺し子を教えている」と言っても、定期的な講座を開催している訳ではなく、私達が楽しんでいる刺し子の核になる部分である「運針」をお伝えしています。運針を学んだ後に、どのような柄を、どんな布に、そして何を作ることを目的に刺し子をするかというのは各々の好みがあると思っていて、一番基礎になる部分をお伝えすることに集中しています。例えとしては、お味噌汁の作り方をお教えする際に「出汁」の取り方だけお教えして、お味噌や具材の選択や味付けは皆様にお任せする感じでしょうか。または、「自転車の乗り方」だけお教えして、私も一緒に皆様と公園で自転車を楽しむ感じをイメージして頂けたらと思っています。日本語でも「刺し子の運針会」として、オンライン越しではありますが、不定期で刺し子の運針をお伝えしています。

刺し子との関係は長く、雑に纏めると、飛騨高山にある刺し子家業の長男として生を受けました。幼少期から青年期まで刺し子は大嫌いで、刺し子そのものは大して上手だとは思わないのですが、望む望まないに関わらず、昔からずーっと刺し子と共に生きてきました。職人さんも周囲に沢山いて、様々な刺し子をみてきた量だけは誇れるんじゃないかと思います。2013年に不幸が重なって、一度刺し子から距離を置きました。背負っていたものを(不本意ながら)降ろしたことで、米国への移住にも覚悟ができました。イスラエル出身の妻とアメリカ人な娘の三人暮らしです。その後、「やっぱり刺し子がしたい」という母親(恵子さん)の声を形にする為に、「Sashi.Co」という名前で刺し子作品を作りながら、刺し子と共に生きている(生きてきた)人達に敬意を払えるような物語を残したいなと思っています。刺し子への思いは配信等でも語っています。刺し子は簡単です。でも奥は深いのです。

#Sashiko #刺し子


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May 20, 2023 at 01:58PM

[Sashiko] is not a word to describe the visible mending. [Boro] is not a word for patchworking with recycled fabric. When I say [Sashiko/Boro] is NOT ___, many demand me to offer the alternative definition as if there is a single line to describe the whole culture. Unfortunately, as no single line can describe someone’s whole life, Sashiko and Boro do not have such a thing as “answer” – we have our traditions, but not the “answer” in the form of instant gratification.

I wanted to introduce our tradition somehow, though. It is our (Japanese) responsibility to speak up when the culture is “misrepresented” by non-Japanese (unless there is a solid foundation in the origin). I teach a class/workshop to make it happen – but I can only take a few students every month… It has been a painful 5 years since I kept saying [Sashiko/Boro] is NOT___ without offering a recommendation. Now, I have my follow-up recommendation when I say [Sashiko] is not a word to describe the visible mending. [Boro] is not a word for patchworking with recycled fabric. The course is very basic. You probably want more after completing it – 3 hours of lectures are going to encourage you to learn more – of course, I cannot offer a single line to describe the whole. I mentioned Boro in the course, too. Please check it out & link it on “Stories”. If you complete it already, please leave the review. The amount of reviews will push them (Domestika) to make more videos, & it would be very helpful especially if you want more follow-up courses.

Photo: ©Domestika.




こうして刺し子についての投稿をしたり、また毎週の配信をしていて思うのは、ご縁を頂けることへの感謝です。星の数ほどあるインターネット上の情報の中から、私の発信する物語や思いに時間を割いて下さること。そして、それが私の大切にする刺し子の未来へ繋がること。本当に嬉しく思います。「刺し子への思い」という意味では、2008年からブログを書き始めました。環境が変わり、文章を書く場所も変わりましたが、文体含め、伝えたいことの本質は変わっていないんじゃないかなーと思っています。価値観は180度変わっているので、求めているものは変化しているとは思いますが、是非昔のブログを見つけたら目を通して頂けると嬉しいです。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #Boro #JapaneseBoro


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May 17, 2023 at 11:28AM

One reason I work with Domestika is that their mission matches my “wish”. I offer Sashiko Stories here, tons of Self-made (Amature) Tutorials on Youtube, and “Unedited” Live Streaming every Thursday night. I believe many people learn Sashiko from these free resources, and I provide them because I have a strong wish: I do not want to limit who can learn by what they have or don’t have (here, mainly “money”).

Domestika offers a course with the price that many can afford. They also require teachers to suggest “Substitute” to the items we use (which was a big challenge for me anyway). My recommendations for the items are quite strong, but I understand that there are limitations, too as I do not have a large distribution network. In the course, nothing is “required”. I just want them to acknowledge the “difference” though (for that, “whatever” is NOT fine).

As I wish to avoid the forum being a “Marketing Platform”, I would like to introduce a Sashiko Supplier with decent understanding of what Sashiko is to us. Please send me a DM in a “proper way in Japanese” if you want me to mention your store in the FAQ. If you write in Japanese, the message in Japanese is great. If you don’t, write in English. Please do NOT write in Japanese if you need to rely on a translator. Your store does not need to carry items that I recommend. I ask, though, a proper acknowledgement. Any resources I can understand who you are is great. I will consider it based on the DM I receive. For now, suppliers only in countries outside of the US as I want to prioritize my stores for that. I want to introduce the supplier with care – not with power and popularity.

I understand that making a “Distributor” is a solution – but I cannot do so as our production is too small. Only Sashiko Artisans I get to know carry our items for now. I hope this will be a fair decision for those who wish to get good supplies from caring suppliers.





今回の講座、世界中の方に見て頂くことになるので、日本&米国外で刺し子の商売をされてらっしゃるお店のリンクをFAQで紹介できればと思っています。日本人で頑張ってらっしゃる方は応援したいので、日本の常識に沿って自己紹介のDMを送って頂ければ幸いです。私達の製作販売する材料を販売している必要はありませんが、私の願いに賛同頂ける方でお願いします。別途運針会に参加希望頂けたら有難いですが、強制はしません。こういう形でのご縁もありかなーっと。

#Sashiko #刺し子


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May 16, 2023 at 05:44PM

I very much appreciate a lot of feedback on the new Course on Domestika: Introduction to Japanese Sashiko. I am working on making Q&A for the registration process. For the enrollment, please check “Stories” or the link on Bio.

If you follow me for a while here, you may find this new course “inconsistent” to what I have been saying (speaking up) here. You may wonder why Domestika? You may have many questions coming up. So did I in the process. It wasn’t an easy decision for me to challenge this. It wasn’t probably an easy process for Domestika’s Great Team to work with me (as you know I can be quite “difficult” when it comes to Sashiko). I plan to share the stories behind the decision on our Official Website (https://ift.tt/m4JUXV0). The link is on Story under “Domestika” Highlight.

In conclusion, I really wanted to end the very sad & painful process of Q&A, which I had had so many times in the last 5 years. Can you guess what was the question I struggled with? Don’t get me wrong. I did NOT struggle with the people who asked – I just didn’t like my answer & I didn’t like the fact I don’t have the answer they want & only available answer I had was painful.

The question is/was [What is your recommendation to start enjoying Sashiko in English? Books or Course?]. My answer was always [Unfortunately I don’t have any recommendation in English. Therefore, I feel the need to speak up this much here on SNS]. Yes, My existing Class/Workshop is my biggest recommendation – but it requires some “commitment” – not for someone who just wants to see what Sashiko is like. “No Recommendation on what I have spent my life on” is quite… sad.

Now, with Domestika’s help, I have the answer to this “welcomed” question – My recommendation to learn the introduction of Sashiko is on Domestika! The course is always available on Domestika, and I have now the answer they expect. I am the same – nothing is different before & after.




「刺し子を学びたいのだけど英語でのお勧めは?」と頻繁に質問を頂きます。これまでは「英語でのお勧めはない。だからこうしてSNSで声を上げてる」と返事をしてきましたが、これが精神的にキツかった。自分が覚悟を決めたものにお勧めがない?日本語では沢山有るお勧めが言語が違うだけで?いつか解決しなきゃと思っていた課題への答えが、今回の講座です。ようやく刺し子に興味を持って下さったという嬉しい質問に、気持ちよく応えられます。

#Sashiko #SashikoClass #刺し子


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May 15, 2023 at 08:46PM

(日本語長文有りです!)Whew. After months of work & preparation in silence, I feel at ease about the new course: Introduction to Japanese Sashiko with Domestika! You may wonder why “Domestika”? Why not a book? I had many questions for myself in the production process, too. More Stories behind the decision & scene are coming, yet the course is ready for you to start! The link for enrollment is available on Bio & Stories. For this post, I cererate this news in my mother language: Japanese. Thank you for your interest & support. (Photo: ©Domestika)





いやはや。クラフト業界屈指のプラットフォーム、Domestika。その映像製作のプロチームによる刺し子オンライン講座。専属のプロデューサーまで付けて下さる徹底ぶり(プロデューサーと議論別れになりそうになる苦い思い出も…)。撮影は真冬のNYCで。信じられない程沢山の方の手を経て形になりました。本当にありがたい話です。映像見ながら「これは俺か?」と苦笑いしつつ、是非皆様もYoutubeに上げた予告版をご覧頂ければ幸いです。

私の刺し子に対する願いは、一般的な商業目的とは微妙にズレるので、これだけ大きな会社との協業は不可能なのではとずっと思っていました。実際何度も何社からも頂いた依頼を断り、動画コンテンツも文章もほぼ100%自作で今まで6年程きました。「残せばいつか誰かの力になる」と信じて作り続けてきました。それは今後も変わりません。ただ、同時に「残すだけではなく伝える為にはどうしたら…」と悩んでいたのも事実です。英語で「刺し子を初めて学ぶ時のお勧めは?」という質問を良く頂きます。既に残している動画や文章で学んでくれればと思うのですが、同時にそれだけの時間を費やす人は少ない。運針会や英語のワークショップで個人的には伝えているけれど、それは費用がどうしても高くなる。「英語でのお勧めはないよ」と返事して、「お勧めがないから頑張って私が情報発信している」と本音を伝えた所で、雑で粗暴な動画は人を選ぶ。いや、人に覚悟を求めるという方が正しいかな。

いつか本でも出版できたら良いなぁと思っていたのですが、思いを「伝える」という伝達に焦点を当てた時に、千以上もの講座を作ってきたプロ集団と、一人の熱心なリクルーター(紹介者)の後押しで一歩を踏み出すことにしました。沢山悩みましたが、「お勧めは?」と聞かれた時に、「これがお勧めだよ」という回答はいつかは作らなければと思っていたのです。

「世界のどこにいても、どんな環境でも、クリエイティブな学びを」というDomestikaのポリシーはとても胸に響いて、とことん妥協した作りです。「運針が刺し子の核であり本質」と大声で叫んでおきながら、この講座では運針に触れた時間はほんの少しです。同時に、ここが現代の「学び」の限界(境界)でもあるんだろうなと。もう一歩踏み込んで下さる人は学びに直接きてくれるんじゃないか。日本語すら話せないのに、非日本語圏で刺し子と真剣に向き合ってもいないのに、刺し子を教えている人の動画や本が「お勧め」として刺し子の入り口になるくらいなら、矛盾を飲み込んででも一歩を踏み出すべきじゃないか、と蟠りは残りつつの動画です。きっと良い方向に進むと信じて。

ま、私の「面倒臭さ」は相変わらずとして、講座としては素晴らしい出来だと思います。映像も写真も編集も素敵だし、8言語の字幕付き。一人では絶対に形にならなかったことです。英語の字幕もあって、私がこれまで日本語で話をしてきた小説よりも奇なりの昔話もしているので、英語やヨーロッパ言語に興味のある方は是非受講をご検討下さい!多言語で他の参加者と交流というのも可能っぽいです。会社というスケールメリットなんでしょうね。受講料はまー安いです。これも一人では絶対に不可能なこと。数字的な達成目標は伺っていますが、今は考えないようにしてます。遠すぎるから(笑)

英語での講座の紹介はこれくらいにして、また日常に戻ろうと思います。今週末は刺し子の運針会です!キャンセルがあったので、まだご参加頂けます。材料も間に合うはず!気がついた方もいらっしゃるかもですが、英語の講座には運針会でご縁を頂いた刺し子友達の作品も連れて行っています。日本語で刺し子の運針を学んで頂いて、また様々な形で紹介することで、一層刺し子の楽しさを共有できたら嬉しいです!!

#Sashiko #刺し子 #SashikoClass #運針会


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May 15, 2023 at 06:12AM

I’m thrilled to announce my new course online, “Introduction to Japanese Sashiko Stitching”. It has been an exciting & challenging project. As you may know, I have an Online Class already. I believe that the existing Class covers the most important element in Sashiko. After offering it for a while, I am now confident that I can pass down the Sashiko we practice online regardless of who is learning. In teaching, I take very careful steps to share the [Core & Essence] of Sashiko to avoid cultural filtering, twisting, and misunderstanding. To be honest, I kept rejecting the offer until 2022. Then, one person convinced me after she spent a great amount of time understanding what I am trying to do (I will share this story later). This New Course is a summary of what I have been sharing for the last 6 years on SNS – and a great introduction to see what I am trying to do. This doesn’t go into the [Core & Essence], but introduces the whole picture of “my” Sashiko. I hope this course will be an initial bridge to connect “appropriation” to “appreciation”.

It is fantastic to see the Sashiko I share professionally filmed/edited. Please Join me on an enchanting journey into the world of Sashiko, a beautiful stitchery with both rich technical & cultural stories. From learning the essential stitches to creating intricate patterns, we’ll explore the beauty and mindfulness of Sashiko. All skill levels are welcome. This is my 1st reply to many requests for “publishing a book”, or recommendation for where to start. Please learn Sashiko from someone who is serious about it – and this is what I committed to offer.

Enroll today and let’s enjoy Sashiko together. I will be there to share my feedback, too. Please Click the link in my bio to join – as enrolling via a special link will support the artisan (including myself) greatly!! Please share this news to friends/family who would love to learn sashiko. I appreciate your interest & support!!

Photo: ©Domestika.



日本語でのご説明は次の投稿で詳しく書きます!普段は安いウェブカメラで適当に動画撮影してるだけなので、「予告編(!?)」まで作って頂くと、むず痒い感じになります。予告編は誰でも見れるので、笑ってやってくださいー!(予告編はYoutubeにてご覧頂けるように準備します!)。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #SashikoStitching #CraftingCommunity


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