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Which Sashiko thread is good? What type of thread should I use Sashiko? Even before that, what is the difference between Sashiko thread and others?
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I receive many questions about Sashiko thread (and the thread we use for Sashiko). The answer is quite simple: Try to find the “stories” why Sashiko Thread is called “Sashiko” thread. The Sashiko thread we use has a series of stories, and therefore I keep saying “Thread Matters”. An appropriate Sashiko thread will give you the great result (You can purchase our Sashiko thread from @UpcycleStitches, shipped within/from the US).
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“You can use whatever thread you want. Just find a similar thickness” is unfortunately a sign of ignorance – or “giving up on learning”. It is true that anyone can use any kinds of thread for stitching, but once they listen to the stories, “whatever thread is fine” became superficial. It is true that the Japanese people few hundreds years ago didn’t have the Sashiko thread we use today. However, it is also true that many Japanese Sashiko artisans have spent their life to develop the “Sashiko Thread” – it isn’t the marketing words, it is “Thread for the Sashiko we practice”. I plan to make more videos, but there are a few on Youtube already. Please learn before “whatever is fine”. *Because of big trend in Sashiko, many manufactures started producing “Sashiko” Thread. I am not qualified to talk about their Sashiko thread, but try to find their stories. Unfortunately, “being Japanese” itself doesn’t secure the credibility (which you can easily imagine in this world). Again, “Thread Matters” in Sashiko – and there are many stories for why.
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本日の配信も楽しい時間を過ごせました。ご参加頂いた皆様、ありがとうございました。ふと、最近「刺し子糸」について語ってないなぁと。写真は今年の福袋に同封した「朱色」を目指した草木染め刺し子糸です。福袋を目指して＆心の拠り所にして練習させて頂いたおかげで、今後も継続できそうだとのことでした（再現性は約束できないのですが）。最近、色について悩んでいます。刺し子に合う色はイメージで決まってしまうことが多いのですが、様々な方の冒険ではっと気がつくこともあります。皆様の好きな刺し子の色の合わせ（コンビ）は何ですか？
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#Sashiko #SashikoThread #SashikoStitching #刺し子 #刺し子糸

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(5/27)
While reading news & movement, I wonder what “Sustainability” really is. It is an extremely important concept – how to keep our lives sustainable. Taking one step further to care for the environment is indeed necessary. At the same time, we have to remember, “Sustainable” is NOT a magic word to paint over all the possible concerns. “Sustainability” is a great word to encourage us to care more, but the word “Sustainability” shouldn’t be an excuse to stop “thinking”. Furthermore, it is important to consider “who” is behind sustainability. If the Sustainability exists over someone’s (here in a specific group, cultural, racial, social-status, and so on) pain, then pushing the Sustainability can be a form of violence. In Sashiko, “Sustainability” was an outcome, not intention. Sashiko is indeed a form of stitching for sustainability, but “whatever recycled with stitching is Sashiko” is destroying the cultural perspective of Sashiko – which isn’t sustainable as Culture.
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This materialistic & cultural sustainability is not a “multiple choice question”. Both can happen simultaneously. In fact, many movements behind the word Sustainability can happen & care for each other simultaneously when we take one step “paused” and see through the people & convenience (profit) behind it. The key word to make it happen simultaneously is “Acknowledgement”. It is my approach to Cultural Appropriation, as well. For more stories about this topic, please check my Youtube Channel. There are a few videos about this topic.
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昨日の刺し子デニム。後ろから見るとこんな感じです。一本刺し抜けがあるのはご愛嬌でお許し下さい。金曜日の配信で直します！昔の曖昧な記憶で、デニムと曲線はあまり相性が良くないと思っていたのですが、今回の刺し子で想像の5倍くらい楽しむことができました。直径4cm小さい円なんです。でも、苦しくもなく、痛くもなく、楽しめました。少し七宝にハマるかもしれません。七宝は満遍なく布が強くなるから、伝統柄の中でもおすすめです。あと、麻の葉と違って重ねが少ないし。うん。
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One’s ordinary can be someone’s extraordinary. When you only read this “English Story”, Sashiko is something foreign to you. However, I believe, anyone can enjoy, practice, and talk about Sashiko & even call their stitching Sashiko. One condition is “to keep learning” it. One can even teach Sashiko when they state they are in a process of learning – The teaching shouldn’t be the end of someone’s learning. It should be the beginning of further encouragement.
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I don’t know if you realize that I use “I” and “We” in my writing. I use both words intentionally.
“天上天下唯我独尊”. This is a phrase from Sakyamuni. “我” often means “I”. Therefore, this phrase can be interpreted as (positive) arrogance – “I alone am the world honored one”, that no one should be as respected as they is. The older I get, I have a bit different approach to this as interpreting “我” as “We (I as human)”. When we read the message as “We”, the meaning becomes, “We are all as respected as we are (no one is better or worse)”.
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The Japanese use “We” instead of “I” often – as a result of collectivism in contrast to individualism. Sashiko is a practice of collectivism, and therefore, I hope the Sashiko teachers consider themselves as a part of “We” instead of “I”. Some say to me, “I know Sashiko”. Well. The phrase “I” knows Sashiko tells me that they need more learning. I am teaching “How” to do Sashiko and you can learn from Youtube videos or My Class. However, the “teaching” I would like to pass down is more than that – and learning the “Form” helps them understand the message within. I am NOT a Gate-Guard to exclude you – I am an usher who welcomes you to another part of Sashiko. Sashiko introduced in English is NOT wrong, but insufficient. In order to “talk about” the movie, watch the whole, not just a trailer.
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角度を変えると物事は違って見えることが多くて、「天上天下唯我独尊」という言葉も、昔は「俺様に叶うものはいない」という無敵感が強い言葉だと思っていたのですが、この「我」という字を「俺」ではなく、「私達皆」と考えると、「私達に上も下もない」という平等の精神を歌う言葉になったりします。刺し子も似ている所があって、だから違いがあって良いんだろうと思っています。逆に知らないところで一つを絶対解にされるのが怖いんですよね。
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“You can share your knowledge without being mean.” Umm. I don’t think I am mean. I am just honest. I do not pretend to be extra nice to be liked in Sashiko – there are much more important things to do in preserving the culture. If they think Sashiko isn’t so unique & don’t care about the stories & people behind the words, I do not understand why they insist on using the word “inspired”. What are they inspired after all?
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I learned that there is a word for the comment I received – “Tone Policing”. There are so many terms & concepts that I need to learn, but it is a very important process for me to reflect on how suppressed I was in Japan – when I was a part of the majority. Unfortunately, I came to the conclusion to say out loud that “Sashiko & Boro you know are not wrong but (significantly) insufficient”. If they think they know about Sashiko without being able to communicate in Japanese, they need to doubt their knowledge. The “common knowledge” of Sashiko & Boro is insufficient in English, and therefore, having them “defined” can be wrong. Sashiko is not a word for mending. Boro is not a word for patchworking. I can list many more & you can find them in the previous posts here.
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I understand it is uncomfortable to be criticized. However, it is “fact” that only a part of Sashiko culture & Boro is translated into their culture. No one’s faults. The Japanese didn’t speak up in Japanese & some translated it without knowing it (hopefully it isn’t intentional). So, it is time to just “accept”. I am not being mean. I am just trying to pass down the Sashiko we practice.
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雑念と空虚の中で運針をしていると、結果的に針目にその人の形が出てくるというのは運針会をご紹介する際によくお話をすることなのですが、そんな面倒なことの前に刺し子っていうのは、その人の性格が良く出るものだったりします。几帳面なのか、おっちょこちょいなのか。完璧主義なのか適当なのか。好きな柄もそれで変わってきます。丸七宝。好きな柄なのですが、どうしても後回しにしてしまう柄です。夏休みは最後まで宿題をしないタイプというか、追い詰められないと一歩が踏み出せない（笑）丁寧に一つずつできる人に憧れを抱いたりしています。
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As you know, “Fabric” Carry Memories. We communicate to/via/by/from fabric to something and someone. In short, “Fabric” Talks. When one spends a lot of time with fabric, I believe they have a memorable & unforgettable one which they communicated so deeply – it is a silent communication with abundance.
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I do have several memorable pieces. At the same time, for me, the days surrounding fabric itself is a way to carry memories. The word “Sashiko” isn’t just for stitching for me. As Fabric Carry memories, the word also carries memories. I hope you feel the same way about some specific word (or a tangible item) – something define who you are.
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Once we get used to the “Communication to Stitching”, we start getting a strange & unique skill – we can distinguish who’s stitching it is as if we can distinguish our friends & family based on how they look. Stitching is like a mirror of ourselves. We can fake anything on the Internet pretending to be whoever or whatever. However, no-one can fake the stitching in the long-term. I sometimes find a “Sashiko Master” who I wonder if they stitch… the stitching they share doesn’t match what they say. Sashiko defines who they are, instead of we define what Sashiko is. In order to share who I am, I share an unedited version of my stitching every Thursday & Friday – on Live where I cannot fake anything real-time.
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I believe in Humanity – that “We are decent by nature”. Unfortunately, it isn’t always the case. However, by sharing the significance of silent communication in Sashiko which illustrate who we are, I hope I can pass down the Sashiko we have been practicing.
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刺し子はリラクゼーションにもボケ防止にもなります。綺麗な柄を刺すのも楽しいし、芸術的な何かを表現することも可能です。要は可能性は無限。他の手芸にも言えることですが、何か境界線やルールがあるようなものではありません。では私が刺し子をする理由はと聞かれたら、「会話」です。布は思い出を纏い、また私たちはその布に触れることで思いを深めます。故立花隆先生は「本は（脳の）外部記憶装置」と表現されていて、その通りだなと思うと同時に、私は「刺し子は（感情との）ケーブル」だと感じるようになりました。針を通して何を感じられるか。そこに刺し子の本質があるんじゃないかと思っています。
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After a lot of reading someone’s story & conversation within myself, I now ask only one thing to avoid Cultural Appropriation (C/A) in Sashiko – it is “acknowledgement”. Please do not ignore the stories & people behind the words. I hope it isn’t too much to ask… Otherwise, a culture in the ordinary can be easily wiped out by choices of someone with power.
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My approach to C/A is a bit unique. In general, I assume that C/A becomes an issue when “Copying” and “Profit” are taken due to the power balance. When I decided to speak up about C/A in Sashiko, I questioned myself about “What hurt the most (emotionally)”. The answer was “lack of acknowledgement”. I encourage you to copy what we do in Sashiko. I don’t mind someone selling “Sashiko” to make money. In a C/A with a bigger established culture (such as Kimono), copying & profiting can be an issue based on who is involved. However, for me, with Sashiko, the issue is “NOT even there yet”, because Sashiko has been “ordinary” to many Japanese people. The foundation of Sashiko exists within the Japanese mindset instead of “established foundation” like the other Japanese traditional cultures. As a result, the “lack of acknowledgement” can wipe away many things.
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Copying as a loss of competitive edge. Someone’s profit as my opportunity loss. Yes, those are scary when it comes to our “future”, but I would rather you copy what we do as Sashiko & make money than someone intentionally ignoring the voice resulting in being Sashiko changed to something else completely. When I see a lack of acknowledgement (indifference) Sashiko, I feel like the whole life has been considered “valueless”. I know it is NOT, but pain from “lack of acknowledgement” can result in denying someone’s whole life. Be mindful, acknowledge it, and then enjoy Sashiko as you wish.
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「インターネットでの関係が地縁になる」。刺し子をしながら一緒に過ごした時間の中で頂いた言葉です。移動もコミュニケーションも地域から出ることが難しかった時代に培われた文化も現在では場所も手段もあまり関係なく「繋がる」ことができます。では地縁そのものがなくなるかというとそうではなく、縁は存在しコミュニティとなります。だから刺し子を一緒にする方々との時間が大切で、配信だったり運針会だったりと刺し子を通してのご縁を頂く場所を大切にしたいと思っています。「縁」という言葉は英語に訳すことが難しい日本語です。存在するけど言葉にするのが難しい。でもその縁こそが刺し子の本質だったりします。昔は無理だと思っていたことが形になっています。本当に有り難く、そして嬉しいのです。
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On the Internet, we can find some photos of “stitching (or similar)” saying “Sashiko (Boro) inspired”. They made me wonder what they are “inspired” by (from). Today, I am reading a well-written, and very important article about the word “inspired” written by a Japanese person I respect, and I am learning how to articulate the dull pain in my chest.
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The source of inspiration may be the specific “Pattern” such as Asanoha or Shippou. However, there are no such a thing as Sashiko pattern. They are geometric patterns we often use in Sashiko. They may be inspired by the (superficial) comfortable message of Sashiko translated (modified) by someone who think they know enough – like Sashiko as the way to recycle fabric in SDGs. It is true that we reuse materials a lot, but Sashiko is NOT the word for “Visible Mending”. When I share these stories, some accuse me saying, “You always complain with denial saying ○○ is NOT ●●. You need to explain when you deny it”. Well… I am explaining everything here through sharing my stories. Sashiko has been my life. How can I explain everything in one sentense to someone who does not try to learn the cultural perspective of the practice? Sashiko and our stories do not exist to satisfy someone’s Instant Gratification, or even worse, self‐assertiveness and profit.
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I am still learning English so that I can speak up in this big trend. Or, without English, the voice from Japanese people may be buried in its history. I make myself available to share my own stories every Thursday at 9 pm EST on Youtube (Search the channel “Sashiko Story”). Do not use the word “inspired” as the excuse for the Instant Gratification. I am happy that what we can do inspires you, so please keep learning. Please keep sharing the stories where you are inspired by (from).
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少し思うことがあり、デニムへの刺し子を再開しました。麻の葉は「100mの麻の葉企画」で目一杯（飽きる程）なので、もう一つの楽ちんな柄の七宝で刺し子をしています。他の柄は、刺し子というよりは準備するのが面倒なんすよね（笑）。ここ数ヶ月で運針会を数回開催する中で、「楽しく刺し子をする」という刺し子配信の原点みたいなものを思い出すことができました。今のスタイルが悪いって言ってるんじゃなく、それは絶対に必要なのだけど、英語での本気感を日本語に持ち込む必要はないなぁと。というわけで、明日の配信は久々にデニムに刺し子をしながらの配信予定です。何か私ができるお話し等でリクエストがあればコメント下さい！（なぜ裏面から刺し子をするのかについては触れる予定です）。
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Continued from yesterday’s post. The popular words, Wabi-Sabi, Zen, Ikigai… are indeed well related to the Sashiko we practice. However, they are often an “outcome (by-product)” of the practice itself – not a goal to achieve. I find accounts & information sources to try to promote their Sashiko/Boro (products/service) as “how to easily get it”. It isn’t really the whole picture of Sashiko.
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Well, I wonder if they really understand what “Wabi-Sabi”, “Zen” and “Ikigai” are to begin with. How do they define these words without proper learning? If you know anyone who can define the words, ask them where they learned from – it is probably either a book written by non-Japanese, or someone with non-sufficient learning. If you get a name of someone who can define what these words are in both Japanese and English, please introduce him/her to me. I would like to ask him/her to teach me. I have been looking for “that” person for my entire life. Many masters I have met taught me: “Stop thinking intellectually. Empty yourself & feel it”. It applies to Sashiko as well.
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Foreign words are often useful because they bring uniqueness to what they do. “Hand-stitching to be mindful” is what it is, but they add “Sashiko” or “Zen” to enhance their value – which unfortunately involves both filtering the culture & deceiving the students (as result). If you would like to get instant gratification & superficial mindfulness with Japanese words, the packaged “Sashiko” may be a good choice – however, please understand that your choice may (can) endanger the cultural practice itself. I have been looking for the “definition” of these for the past 30 years by reading books & talking to seniors. I cannot promise I can give you “the answers” by following this account, but I am sharing everything I learned for far – which illustrate the frame of what they are.
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昨日投稿した写真。私の刺し子ではなく、親父の刺し子です。煙草を吸いながら猫背で般若心境を刺す親父が、私の会社員時代の鮮明な思い出です。気が向いたらお金もないのに「飲みに行くぞ」と。決まって私は「アホか。お金もないしまだ俺は働いてるだろ」と見下すように答えてました。当時はなんて最低な人生だろうと思っていましたが、今思うと、あの親父があったからこそ今の言葉があるんだろうと思っています。少し感傷に浸りながら、日本語でも文章を書こうと思っています。久々に。親父がよく変になっていた長期連休の間に。
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Ikigai, Umami, Kotatsu, Kakeibo… There are so many Japanese words “translated (transformed, interpreted, or sometimes even twisted)” into the English Community. Sashiko and Boro aren’t as popular as the others, but they are already establishing their own meaning – unfortunately & sadly. Wabi-Sabi, Zen, Mottainai… these are popular words often combined with Sashiko to “market” their products to get more attention. There is nothing wrong with playing with the words, but the words themselves do not describe the whole picture. When someone starts teaching the “insufficient” concepts with catchy words, the students start believing what they are learning is the “truth” in their foreign culture. That’s the danger – and often – violence over the language.
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Almost all authors on Sashiko & Boro in English are (white) Western people. I wonder about many “whys”, but one of the reasons is the English language as a privilege. In cross-cultural discussion, a person needs to learn English to defend their own culture. I don’t think any of those authors can discuss (or share ideas & wisdom) about Sashiko and Boro with us in Japanese, yet they consider themselves as Sashiko (& Boro) masters? I really hope the world will realize the craziness. I am putting all of my life into Sashiko. Therefore, I learn English so hard, to defend my own identity. Please be mindful of whom you are learning from. That’s the only way to balance this craziness. (When you enjoy Sashiko for yourself, don’t worry about it. I exist for you to enjoy more without worrying about the language. If you were to teach it, be serious – otherwise it can be quite disrespectful).
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前回の配信で「本音で話してスッキリした」とお伝えしました。基本的にこれまでも本音だったのですが、空気は読める人間なので、嘘は付かずとも本音とは言えども「言わなくて良いことは言わない」ようにしてきました。少しずつ配信でもそのフィルターを外していくかもしれません。すると、過激な発言だけ切り取られてしまう可能性も出てきます。配信や投稿で「あれ？なんか嫌だな。」と思ったらDMでもコメントでも良いので突っ込んで下さい。ほぼほぼ100%言葉足らずと文脈ミスです。4年間の配信をずーっと聞いてくれている人は深く考えてくれるとは思うのですが、それを当てにして思いを綴るのもまずいのでね。変だなと思ったら挽回する（説明する）チャンスを頂けたら幸いです。
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Earth-Day. My daughter brought me a short essay about what she can do for the earth. From the time of “consuming” the resources, we are now living in the society of “sharing it” with Earth – or thanks to Earth. I hope that Sashiko can contribute to this responsibility as human: with cultural sustainability as well.
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I spend my time in yard-working and house-chores as much as I can. Some advise me that I should focus on “Sashiko Business” when the demand is so high. Yes, outsourcing the chores would be a wise choice when I focus on “money”. However, since what I would like to pass down is as many stories as possible about “Sashiko”, these times working in the ordinary with using my own hands are quite important. This year, I could plow the soil in very nice weather on Earth-Day – appreciating good soil with these good helpers (warms).
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The key to sustainability, for me, is to understand the “line” instead of “dots”. We can focus on each dot, but we also need to understand that the dot may be a part of a line. The line is the foundation of a circle – which can be a circuration of sustainable days. Sashiko is like that, too. There were people for many years, then we are here, and there will be a future for Sashiko. Please keep learning – as Sashiko is not the marketing term for some superficial (instant) gratification.
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晴れたアースデー。畑を耕しました。刺し子を伝えるようになってから一層、家事だったり庭仕事だったりという「当たり前」を大切に思うようになりました。刺し子が冬の仕事だったのは、冬の厳しい寒さという理由もありますが、同時に「夏は畑仕事で針持ってる場合でねえ」状態だったようにも思います。それは今でも続いていたり。
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昨日の配信、有意義なものになりました。ありがとうございます。とても難しい題材なので誤解を招いてしまうこともあるかと思いますが、丁寧に語り続けられたらと思っています。刺し子について語ること。様々な思いはあると思いますが、私個人の気持ちとしては「どんどん語って欲しい」と思っています。何が正解かとか定義とか考えず、語るだけの思いがあるなら聞いてみたい。語る場所がないのであれば作ります。勿論、内に秘めて刺し子をされるのも素敵です。どんな本から学んだのか。どの動画で何を感じたのか。ここでご縁を頂いている皆様は、大切な大切な「刺し子の点」です。どの「線」に属するか、はたまた属さないのかとかはわかりませんが、でも、私の役割の一つが、その点を繋げて線にすることだと思っています。配信はどうしても一方的な会話になりますが、希望があれば語る場も喜んで作ります。そのお話が日本人の刺し子の大切な大切なピースなので。
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