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Thank you for watching Thursday Sashiko Live. “Ibasho” as a “Place (Space) to be (while stitching)” is one of the ultimate goals in passing down the Sashiko we practice. I am very happy that I am able to create such a space there on Youtube. I offer it almost every Thursday night at 9 pm EST.
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After 2 big workshops in FL & QuiltCon, I received several inquiries about the fees & scheduling for me to teach Sashiko in-person. I will keep updating here if I graciously receive an offer to teach. If you know someone who may be interested in having me, or if you are the organizer, please contact us so that I can send you the fee details. It may be costly in comparison to the “crafting workshop”, but I am confident that I offer the best Sashiko Workshop in the world, from both a technical & cultural perspective.
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In 2017, I didn’t know what to teach because Sashiko was so normal for me. I learned a lot in these 4~5 years. I wondered, what kind of Sashiko I was stitching back then: well… It is the same Sashiko today: and I believe that’s how it is supposed to be. I want to share the beauty of “not focusing on competition, even including toward myself, to really enjoy & appreciate” the moment.
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昨日の配信もありがとうございました。「運針を教えて」と初めて請われ、何をどう教えたら良いのかすら試行錯誤していた頃、自分はどんな刺し子をしていたんだろうか……と写真を探してみたら、あまり変化のない写真が出てきました（笑）。変わったのは僕の体重くらいです。でもきっと上達はしてるんだろうと思います。同時に、上達して無くてもいっかというくらいには気楽です。刺し子が上手になることは嬉しいですが、目的ではないのでね。
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さて。配信でのご縁も頂いて、これからの1ヶ月で2回の運針会を開催することができそうです。3月14日月曜日の朝9時〜と、4月2日土曜日の朝9時〜、どちらも日本時間で4時間程の予定です。運針は特に習わずともできるようになります。実際僕も、ほぼほぼ見て覚えたようなものですし（頭に思い描く先生は勿論います）。ただ数年間かけて見て覚えるよりは、4時間でサクっと要点を掴んだ方がいいんじゃねーのと思うくらいには効率派です。もちろん、職人さん的な感覚から「10年、20年続けることに意味がある」とは思っていますし、ひたすら見続ける時間も必要だとは承知していますが、それほど運針って難しくも複雑でもないので、要点を感じた後に、刺し子ができる時間は運針を楽しむ時間にして貰えたらなぁというくらいの気持ちでいます。運針をお伝えするのは「刺し子をずーっと続けて欲しい」という願いからですから。まだ余裕はあるので、運針会への参加ご希望の場合は、こちらもサクっとDM頂けたら幸いです。日本語でのDMは基本的に大歓迎です。来週の配信は少し違う柄の刺し子をする予定です。お楽しみにー！
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#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子 #運針

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I often find a big misunderstanding about my message: “he is so stubborn (resisting) to the change in Sashiko”. This isn’t true. Although I am quite stubborn in teaching, I am the opposite of “resisting” change in Sashiko. Change happens, and it is important to form culture. I welcome changes. I just want the change to be “fair” and careful.
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About 20 years ago, no one (as long as I knew) had Sashiko on the Denim. Sashiko Artisans around me made fun of my choice, and they silently, but firmly, denied them as Sashiko, as they despaired Boro back then. 20 years later today, Sashiko & Denim became one popular combination. Do I dislike it as a cultural invader? No, not at all. The pain I feel is often from those who think they know about Sashiko, not from those who enjoy the possibility.
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When I encountered @sashikodenim on Instagram, his photos taught me a change in trend. So did books by @miniaturerhino and @katrinarodabaugh. Some think I am fighting back against them. NOT AT ALL. I respect their interpretation, approach and willingness to learn Sashiko in many ways, including by following this account. One core value of this account is “honesty”. Therefore, you (they) may find reading the caption here quite annoying & uncomfortable. However, you accept it and keep reading/learning. As I always say, misunderstanding & not-knowing are fine. All I am fighting against is the “intentional ignorance and indifference” by those who try to choose (filter) the voice of our cultural practice. In my opinion of Sashiko & Cultural Appropriation, C/A doesn’t exist in “What they make” so much. It exists in “How they Define/Approach to” Sashiko. Acknowledge it, and avoid ignoring it. I hope it makes sense (& Thank you for following our Sashiko Story).
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好き勝手書いてるとですね、「敵が増えるよ」と助言頂いたり、実際なんとなく感じてはいるのですが、基本的な立ち位置としては「（刺し子好きなら）みんなと友達になりたい」と思っています。基本人見知りなので（マジで）、ご縁を頂くまでは遠慮がちですが嫌っている訳ではありません。例外なのは「都合が悪いことは無視する人」です。事実を捻じ曲げてまで自分の正当性を貫こうとする人とは、刺し子に限らず友達になれません。意見が違うのは良い。寧ろ違っていい。でも、無視はいけない。刺し子には答えなんてねーよって言ってるのは、僕の答えが誰かの声を無視することに繋がるのを恐れているからです。日本語での刺し子には、あまり心配してないですけどね（また「淳は甘い」ってお叱り受けそうだけどｗ）。
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#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoDenim #SashikoMending #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子

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Because of my “interesting” life so far, I feel “the end (death)” by me all the time. It’s not the feeling of despair or “I want to end”, it is more like “Anything can happen” so that I have one more opportunity to achieve my mission. Sashiko Workshop/Class is one present that I receive from students to share a piece of my life. 

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In order to make my ends meet, in order to support “Cultural Sustainability”, I teach for the fee. Teaching comes with responsibility, and teaching for free may make light of the “responsibility”. Of course, in an ideal world, I would like to be responsible & teach Sashiko for free, but Sustainability requires Circulation.

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When my life ends & If you learn Sashiko from me, please share everything with anyone who you wish to. Share “Your” Story based on my Story, and take fees so that you can support the bigger picture of Cultural Sustainability. If you worry if you aren’t educated enough to teach Sashiko after taking my class, no worry. You are (You will be). I do not ask you to be me. I want you to pass down the Sashiko I have shared, and you have received. I sincerely appreciate @themqg for the great opportunity to teach. I am now enjoying the time of learning from others.

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これまでの不思議な人生のおかげで、「死は常に隣にあるもの」という思いがあります。それは人生に対する悲観的な思いとか、もう生きるのが嫌だという投げやりな感じではなく、「何があっても良いように日々を生きる」という、どちらかというと前向きな感覚だったりします。「刺し子を教える」ようになり、どれだけ僕たちの楽しんでいる刺し子が（特に英語圏で）知られていないかということを知ることになりました。言葉の一人歩きの中で作られるルールや定義から漏れたものは、長い目で見ると歴史としては残りません。歴史は勝者によって作られるという昔の格言は、今は「歴史は声が大きいものによって作られる」と言い換えられるかもしれません。勿論、声が小さい人にも物語を残す方法があるのが現代の素晴らしさです。

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僕自身が家族を養う為に。また、必要以上に「無料で”表面的に”教える」とならないように、お金を頂いて刺し子を教えています。教えることには責任が必ず付帯してきます。と同時に、もし僕が明日ふといなくなってしまうことがあったら、運針を僕がお教えした皆様に思いを託すことになります。「前面に出て刺し子を教えてほしい」という願いではなく、運針を続けて言ってほしいという思いです（教えたかったら勿論ガンガンと）。願いは、恵子さんの言葉に収束します。「（使われなくなった布に対して）もう一度、舞台に立たせてやるからな」という言葉です。命を懸けて刺し子を伝え続けられていること、心底有難いなと思うのです。

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

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The 2nd day is completed at the #QuiltCon2022 (I am ready to go to bed after sending the follow-up emails). I am very happy to meet you (Sashiko) stitching friends, and reuniting stitching friends from my first Quiltcon. 2 years ago, I knew only a few people when I visited the QuiltCon. This year, many friends stopped by the room and shared their wonderful achievements (I can’t believe I forgot to take the photos with them. Well, I was in before/between the workshop… ). One picture with @benmillett , with the Jacket I couldn’t ask him to take a photo with. This year again! To be honest, I would never have imagined having many friends via stitching. I sincerely thank QuiltCon for making it happen. 

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One more day to go. Since my workshop is between 9am to 4:30, and I do take lunch break, I have not been able to enjoy the QuiltShow itself. After clearing the workshop room, I do not have enough energy to walk around. I would like to try to be in the Exhibition tomorrow, 2/19 after the workshop, even a little bit. And then, on Sunday, again a little bit before my flight. It is a great honor to be here at QuiltCon, and I will spend another night preparing for the last workshop. 

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つーかーれーるー。目の下の窪みが物語っております。ワークショップ後はそれくらい精魂尽き果てるのです。それでも2回目のキルトコンへの参加。 1回目の2020年は、ほんの数人を除いて初めて出会う方ばかりで、また全てが初めての経験でした。前回ご縁を頂いた方々が、わざわざ会いにきてくれる。これほど嬉しいことはありません。僕はまだキルティングの人間ではないですが、こうやって徐々に居場所が作れたらなと思うのです。

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日曜日の夜のお散歩（迷子）配信ですが、よく考えると時差が16時間あることに気がつきました。なので、できるだけ早く起きて、こちらの朝の6時半頃（日本時間の22時半頃）に誰もいない感じの街並みを歩けたらと思っています。疲れ具合によってはほんの少しになっちゃうかもだけど。残り1日。全てを出し切ってきます！

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Congratulation to all the winners for the #QuiltCon2022 ! I cannot wait to see them in the show. Meanwhile, I focus on the final re-re-re-re-checking of Sashiko Workshops. Many kindly tell me that I am too hard on myself. They comfort me saying “You will be fine”. However, I feel like I have “One shot to share everything I ever wanted… Would I capture it…? or let it slip… (Super Bowl Half-Time show was just too memory-clicking those who around 40 now. hahaha).

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I offer many workshops including online. It may be one of many workshop for me, but it is “The One Workshop” for those who generously invest their money & time. So, I guess this is what it is for me. No wonder some consider me as “Last Samurai in Sashiko”. (Please don’t spread this word since Sashiko & Samurai are very difference: and shouldn’t be connected without understanding the background, although I humbly accept the positive admiration). 

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Although there are similarity between Sashiko & Quilting, Sashiko isn’t much part of Quilting. It is a sincere honor to be part of Quiltcon, and I would love to contribute my best to this beautiful community with what I have. I will keep it updated here.

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無事キルトコンを迎えることができました。コロナとか気温変化とか、不安要素は沢山ありましたが、無事役目を果たす一歩が踏み出せたことにホッとしています。朝方3時に起きて、移動して、ホテルに着いたのは夜8時。国内でも遠いです。キルトコンの様子や思い等、このアカウントで紹介していくつもりです。短い思いや衝動的に撮った写真とかは、ツイッターで呟こうかと思っております。また違うSNSで恐縮ですが、もしツイッターやってらっしゃったら @atsushiJP をフォロー頂けると幸いです。インスタのアカウントの切り替えが面倒で。それでは頑張ってきますー！

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My goal is pretty simple and straightforward: I want to pass down the Sashiko we have been practicing with “reasonable” changes (not by Cultural Filtering). One of the outcomes I am proud of is the emergence of rising artisans in Sashiko. Some of the Sashiko Items I use are made by students (now friends) who learned Sashiko from me. I sometimes even feel jealous how good they stitch Sashiko, but it also makes me happy how “possible” my goal will be achieved.
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As Japanese Mingei defines, the true beauty of Japanese folk craft exists in the “Ordinary Usage” (用いて即ち美しい）. I will be wearing Sashiko Denim, Sashiko Jacket, Sashiko bags… and that is the Sashiko I received, and we have been practicing. Another Great opportunity to speak up about the Sashiko we respect. I appreciate you here, keep listening to what I need (would like to) say. I will always be here, and one day at your place.
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[Kinchaku Bag by @na.na_45. A few items by her is available @UpcycleStitches] ☆
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今回の #QuiltCon に、この素敵な巾着をお連れすることができます。@na.na_45 さんのプレゼント企画で頂いたものが漸く米国にギリギリで到着しました。これまで何度かNanaさんの作品は手にしているのですが、英語圏での作品紹介の為の作品なので、私用では使っていませんでした。「刺し子の本質は生活の中の美」と言いながら、英語圏で購入頂く場合も考えると、ガシガシに使うわけにもいかず。今回は完全に個人のものなので、もう遠慮なく思いっきり使う予定です。大きめのバックルを付けて一緒に歩き回ります〜。
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前回の2020年のキルトコン。初めてだらけで、圧倒され通しでした。2回目の今回は、少し余裕を持って、「どうやったら刺し子で、皆様と一緒にモダンキルトに貢献できるか」という事を考えながら時間を過ごしてみようと思います（もしワークショップ後に体力残ってたらの話ですが）。前回は夢だった「みんなで一緒にキルト作れたらいいなぁ」という曖昧な希望が、今回は「皆で力を合わせれば……」と具体的に思い描けるまでになりました。勿論、キルティングの専門先生にお力を借りながらにはなるのですが、それでも「みんなで作る刺し子」に関してはこの2年間で実績を積んできたので、実現可能だと思っています。
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いつかは日本の刺し子好きな方を米国のイベントにお招きできるように。それまでは、作品だけでも米国にお招きできるように。今回はNanaさんの巾着をお連れします！
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I appreciate many feedback to the previous post: my new voice for “Cultural Sustainability”. One of the most significant misunderstandings of the word “Sashiko” and “Boro” is that they became the words for mainly “Techniques” or “Design. Yes, Sashiko requires some techniques, and I teach them in my workshop. However, it is merely a preparation for the whole experience of Sashiko (as a stitchery in Japan). Boro isn’t even the word for technique at all. Then, some ask: “What is the whole experience?” or “Then what is Sashiko?”, expecting there should be easy explanations to understand. Unfortunately, there aren’t such convenient things to cross culturally. Therefore, I have many platforms to share stories.The stories here will provide the outline of what Sashiko/Boro is.
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I understand the trend, though. It is “Westernized” (Also Japanese are westernized). In Western Culture, it is recommended to “control it”. The skill of controlling the needle is admired as a profession, and the ability of creating cool designs is cherished. There is nothing wrong with that: but the Core & Essence of Sashiko exist outside of Western expectation. Sashiko and Boro are the Japanese words with so many years of Stories. It is our (my) responsibility to speak on behalf of artisans who I grew up with.
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All I ask is “acknowledge” it, and be mindful who you (indirectly) support. If one only cares about “Fun” and “Easiness” while saying “Whatever is fine”, then this account will be too uncomfortable for them. I am not here to change them, but I need to do something to pass down the Sashiko we have been practicing by these “violent whatever”. Sashiko requires technique, but the technique itself won’t make them “master”. Please acknowledge who you are learning from. When you wish to acknowledge the stories behind the word Sashiko, then I am happy to see you calling your stitching Sashiko (Boro is a bit different, so it requires more stories…).
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「文化ってなんだ？」って思われる事もあるかと思います。配信では良くお話するのですが、僕は文化とは「ある圏内で生活する人達の平均の集合体」だと思っています。雑にいうと、「その地域の当たり前」が文化です。なので文化は変わります。変わって然るべき。ただ、歴史的に「文化を強制的に塗り替える」ということも起こってきました。僕はそれが刺し子で起こるのが嫌なんです。日本の素晴らしさは世界に誇れると思うから。
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I used to want to be “someone special”. What I received as a privilege, Sashiko, seemed too boring and too ordinary. Interestingly, my youth was all about how to be someone else who wasn’t me. After 20~30 years, the ordinary I despised became an important element of my life. You may find some “messages” from my stories. I appreciate it. However, at the simplest point, I just would like to pass down the Sashiko my family & friends devoted themselves to. A change is great. We all tried to change Sashiko to a better one. I just want the change to be reasonable & mindful with respect: not the change by ignorance or indifference for someone’s profit.
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“Cultural Sustainability” is a new word in my story. The idea isn’t something extraordinary in our reasonable standard. If one enjoys cultural practice with using the name, they should use (or at least understand the difference of) tools/supplies from the culture: otherwise, the Cultural Sustainability would be twisted, or worse destroyed by those with other privileges. There are so many stories/reasons why we use tools/supplies made in Japan for Sashiko. No tradition can survive without the healthy chains of artisans. Without proper needle, thimble, and thread, I cannot be a Sashiko Artisan. A mindset of appreciating this circulation is Cultural Sustainability.
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In fact, the only thing I can do is to stitch (in front of you) & to share stories behind Sashiko/Boro. It is slow, but the best way to contribute to Cultural Sustainability. I cannot change anything by myself, but I can protect the culture with you here by sharing & enjoying Sashiko stories. I have a very small voice, but not voiceless. Please copy. Please spread Story. I want the world to know what Sashiko really is.
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ある記事で写真を使いたいとの事で、妻にお願いして一枚。（結局ボツになったけどw）。普段は床に直に座って刺し子をしています。
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先日の配信もありがとうございました。いろいろ偉そうな話をしていますが、一番根底にある願いは「恵子さんに刺し子を続けて欲しい」というのが一番で、次に「親父がみていた風景を汚されたくない」というものです。2番目はここ数年の英語圏での刺し子の変化で感じているもの。どんな文化も伝統も、作り手がいなければ成り立ちません。だからこそ、刺し子が下手だと卑下する自分でも、やっぱり刺し子は続けるんです。道具も材料も使い続ける。細々とで良いので、文化が引き継がれていって欲しいなと思うんです。ま、もっと単純に言うと、「楽しいからやってる」ところもあるんですけどね（楽しくなけりゃ何千時間もやってられないので）。
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If one is willing to learn Sashiko, there are a LOT of materials on my platforms (Youtube & Website) for learning Sashiko. If one is expecting a simplified filtered answer for Sashiko, then what I share is “too much”. I do not plan to change what I do to offer instant gratification for profit. Instead, I am willing to share the whole picture of Sashiko: That’s my identity.
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I offer a lot of learning materials for free on Youtube & websites. Of course, I do not offer “everything” there. One reason is because I need to make ends meet somehow. However, there is another criteria I deeply consider if I should offer the learning materials for free or not. It is: “Do I contribute to maintaining or destroying Cultural Sustainability?”.
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“Cheap” is good. “Free” is even better. On the Internet, like many big businesses, “Offering free (first) to get the market” is a good strategy. Some say “no publicity is bad publicity”. If my goal is just money, I should follow how the successful big business does. However, what I care about is “how this culture can be sustainable”. I always spend big time considering the boundaries of sharing it for free, and keeping them for those who come to us to learn. Interestingly, the “Core” is okay to share for free, yet other small elements to be part of the whole picture often affect the cultural sustainability. In short, if someone in the culture gets a “negative outcome” by me sharing something for free, I shouldn’t. I cannot pass down Sashiko by myself. I need to, and would like to, do so with many other Japanese people. What I do is very slow since I take careful steps. However, I am getting confident that this is “the” way I can appreciate what I have received. Please keep learning from our platform. You will find your own answer one day.
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「（情報は）無料（で手に入る）」ことが当たり前になった世の中です。僕自身Youtube等で刺し子の情報を出しているので、基本無料で刺し子を見て学ぶことはできます。ただ、全てが無料で良いとは思っていません。なので、毎回動画を作る際は、企画の段階で相当に考えを深めます。基準は、「無料で出すことによって痛みを伴う人が、その文化圏の中にいるかどうか」ということです。想像力を働かせた結果動画を準備はしたけれど……というケースもあります。「持続可能な文化」とは、ある意味で経済が回る文化であるべきで、無料の情報だけだとどうしても偏ってしまう。というか人がいなくなってしまう可能性がある。人がいないと文化形成は難しいので、上手にバランスを考えないとな……と。まだまだ頑張ります。
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