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Words Matter. It is so sad to see “Sashiko” and “Boro” become whatever: or whatever they make become Sashiko and/or Boro. There aren’t Right and Wrong in Sashiko Stitchery in terms of “what one should do”. However, “whatever with intentionally ignoring what they can be” is wrong from a cultural perspective.
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“Not knowing itself” is okay. We all don’t know it when we start. We can all learn it every day, and I am here for that. All I fight back is “Intentional Ignorance” and “Indifference”: saying what I do is “inspired” work with saying “I know Sashiko & Boro”. How can one “Know” the cultural practice with so many years of history while being fluent in the language…? (No language needed to enjoy it, but claiming that they “know” it requires some commitment.)
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“English as Language” is one privilege we have. Since Sashiko & Boro are Japanese words, and some people believe they can “fully understand” the culture in the privileged language, I need to go through huge emotional labor to protect my identity – every single day. It is unfortunate to say, but Sashiko & Boro in English has become something completely different from what I have received. Some intentionally twisted the culture, and the majority (who with language privilege) formed the filtered version of Sashiko & Boro. However, I haven’t lost hope yet. There are so many people who wish to re-learn. I am still a small stone in a big trend. I can only make a small whirlpool (time for them to think) in the big trend now. However, by speaking up, I believe I can have some of the mainstream to go back to the original scenery I have seen.
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Care for others before Self-assertion. Acknowledge before Excuse. All I am writing here is based on the “Japanese mindset” in Sashiko I have received.
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刺し子と運針。密接な関係にあるものですが、刺し子で一番難しいのは運針ではありません。一番難しいのは、「布の気持ちを汲み取る事」です。具体的に言うと、いとこきだったり、色の組み合わせだったり、糸と柄と布による伸縮具合の調整だったり。運針はそんな布との会話を潤滑にしてくれるもの……だと思っています。もちろん、布によってはどんなに運針しようともうんともすんとも言わない、あるいは天の邪鬼みたいなのもありますが。
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「刺し子はアートだ」と結果のみに焦点を当てるのが悪いとは思いませんが、この一番楽しい（難しい）会話を経験して欲しいなぁと思うのですよ。きっと刺し子がもっと好きになるから。
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Boro is always a result, but never definite. The discussion of exchanging “answers” about Sashiko and Boro in English isn’t wrong, but unbalanced. The result (outcome/design) can be westernized, but when “mindset (ordinary expectation)” gets unreasonably westernized, it is no longer Sashiko no matter how it looks.
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In my workshop, I almost never sit down. I do not have a meal during the workshop – probably just a piece of candy & water. Everyone has a slightly different “point” to understand the core of Sashiko, as their own Sashiko. It is my responsibility to catch that point and encourage them to keep pursuing: in a limited amount of hours in In-person workshop & over the camera for Online Class. I am confident that I can. All I ask for them is to not give up on me, or even on themselves.
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We are always measured by a result, but I hope it will never be definite. We are always stitching Sashiko, but I can only talk about the Sashiko I know. Things change, and I accept. I am speaking up so that “ignorance” will prevent someone from learning. I am putting my own life in Sashiko. Don’t let others define the “answers” for you. Don’t let anyone define your value: the fabric tells all the stories to us.
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この2年で「刺し子を教える場」を主にオンラインに移行しました。オンラインで刺し子を教える良い所は、「お時間さえ頂ければ必ずできるようになる」という確信を持っていること。時間は無制限ではないですが、刺し子はそんなに難しいことではないので、コツを掴む瞬間を一緒に過ごすことができれば、後は自然にできるようになります。自転車に乗る練習みたいなもんですよ。
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対面型のワークショップにも、勿論フォローアップする機会はあるのですが、やっぱり「その場でできるようになりたい」という期待を持ってこられている方が多いので、一秒たりとも無駄にしないように、そのコツを掴む瞬間を見逃さないように神経を使っています。お昼御飯は食べません。座ることもまずありません。誰かが針を動かしている限り、その手元をずーっと見ています。それだけの覚悟を持って刺し子を教えています。英語で（非日本言語で）刺し子を教える場合は、これくらいの覚悟がないと文化がネジ曲がるんです。「刺し子がなけりゃ襤褸にもならない」という和田先生のお言葉通り、全てが繋がっているのです。
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Almost 5 years ago, when I received the first request to offer the Sashiko Workshop, I had no idea what I could teach. Ever since, “teaching” became the main focus of my challenges. As I always say, teaching comes with big responsibility – because students there need to somewhat trust what the teachers say. No need to agree with everything, but the learning becomes agonizing when a student keeps wondering in their mind. I believe all teaching has to come with stories behind it. We call it logic or reasoning. I wouldn’t like a teacher saying “Just because” or “Just memorize it”.

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The goal of my teaching is to, of course, pass down the Sashiko we have been practicing. I will share how I stitch after the brief explanation of our Sashiko. A majority of students have happy & worrisome faces when they see me stitching: expectation of possibility and fear of failure. My role is to take all the fear away, and leave them with more expectation for their future Sashiko. I know what I teach now after sharing this with 500+ people. I like the significant change at the end of the workshop: from “Oh, I cannot because ____” to “Well, it isn’t so difficult (Atsushi’s stitching seems to be easy)”. I can make it happen in both Online & In-Person. Sashiko isn’t just about technique – when we share some philosophical understanding of Sashiko, then one can acquire the life-time stitching technique. I appreciate the great opportunity of 3-Day’s Workshop in beautiful place at Aya Fiber Studio with beautiful people.

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一つ決めました。ごめんなさい。もう「ワークショップの写真を撮るの頑張ります」って言わないようにします。3日間。21時間もの時間があったのに、自分のスマホに残ってる写真がございません（笑）受講下さった方に写真をお願いしていますが、もう多分、ワークショップのスイッチが入るとどうにもならないんだろうと思います。21時間も何をワークショップでするんだ？と困惑しながら引き受けた大役ですが、写真を撮る暇がないくらいに楽しんで頂けたらとようで肩の荷が降りています。お約束していた「お散歩配信」、朝の時間に余裕がないので、もしかしたらできないかもしれないです。申し訳ない。もしできそうだったらインスタで軽くフロリダの朝をお届けできればと思っています。金曜夜の配信は変わらず行う予定です！（まだリンクは作ってないけど）。

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I am not a trained teacher. Therefore, everytime I teach, all of my energy goes into teaching as if I am splitting my life & sharing it. It is my pleasure to share a piece of my life so that one can learn something new in Sashiko. That’s my commitment to Sashiko & the responsibility as the one who talks about Sashiko. A whole day of 7 hours+ workshop, I cannot eat lunch. Ever since I started teaching, I put all of what I have into each teaching opportunity. As a result, I sometimes crash into the sofa right after the workshop, like last night (& got up very early in the morning).

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I received encouraging feedback yesterday: “I think I now like Sashiko (much better)”. It implied that she didn’t like Sashiko before, so I asked how she perceived Sashiko before. She didn’t “hate” Sashiko, but Sashiko didn’t amuse her much. Often, skilled hand-sewer in any form of stitchery, embroidery, hand-quilting, tailoring… They have incredible skills (which I would like to learn from). When they encounter Sashiko, they may first feel, “oh, another word for another design or stitchery”. Therefore, some do not find Sashiko something amusing. That’s the scary part of “insufficiency” of information available in non-Japanese language. “How to” is only one part of Sashiko. When they “feel” and “do” Sashiko, then something new kicks in – no matter how experienced they are, I am confident that I am offering something eye-opening in my teaching, both in Online & In-Person.

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Honest feedback makes my day, and I have one more day to spend all of my energy there. Sashiko is more than just making beautiful stitches.

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2日目の後、電池が切れて折角のホテル住まいなのにソファで力尽きてしまいました（笑）。この写真を撮って投稿しようとした直前に。今日頂いた感想にとても嬉しいものがありました。「なんか、刺し子が好きになってきた」。 この言葉、ワークショップ前は刺し子がそんなに好きじゃなかったということを意味します。実際にそう仰ってました。運針を学んで頂く中で新しい楽しみ方を感じて好きになって頂ける。これぞ教えることの醍醐味であり、僕が刺し子を教え続ける一番の理由です。刺し子沼（運針沼）に沢山の人を押し落としているので、結構沼にハマらせる自信はあるのですよ（笑）

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It isn’t easy to speak up honestly in a big trend – sometimes, an honest voice can be perceived as negativity or even arrogance. It is always easier to get along the flow, but there are reasons I share the honest Sashiko Stories. It requires will-power to keep doing so.

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I can keep sharing Sashiko Stories thanks to those who come to listen to what I teach & share. Live Session via Online Sashiko Class & In-person Workshops are the precious opportunity for me to thank directly to those who support what we do. This week is one of those. Feedback from new friends who took my workshop saying: “So much fun. Thank you for coming (offering the workshop)” override all of the difficult challenges I face. After so many years of Sashiko stitching & several years of  teaching, I am confident in what I can do & teach. It is my pleasure to share not only the techniques & design, but also the “Core & Essence” of Sashiko with them. ☆

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7時間のワークショップ終わり。また写真を撮ってないことに気がついて（笑）多分ね、もう努力目標にすらしない方がいい気がする程、ワークショップが始まると全く他のことができなくなるのです。受講下さっている方から写真を頂いて、恵子さんの一目刺しジャケケットの試着画像です。

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とても不思議な話なのですが、いい古布と草木染糸で刺し子をすると、日光の当たり具合により色が微妙に代わり、プリズム的な立体イメージを見ることがあります。実際には針目が立体になるわけはないので、目の錯覚というか、古布と草木染糸、各々の反射が輝いているような感じになるのだとは思うのですが、刺し子は日の下で見るとまた違った作品に見えてきます。そんな一枚。3日のワークショップ。明日と明後日で、あと14時間。まだまだ頑張ります！

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“What do you like about Sashiko?”. I convinced myself to ask this question to the public in 2022. I was scared of facing reality. I am still in fear of unknown changes within Sashiko. However, it is my time to speak up – if it isn’t too late.

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What do you like about Sashiko? I believe the answers can be roughly categorized into 2 big points of view: (1) Design/How it Looks, and (2) Meditative/Relaxing function. Of course, everyone has their own answer to the questions. So I am not generalizing “you”, but I believe when they use the word “inspired”, it is either “simplified-design” or “hand-stitching” part.

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Both outcome (design) and process (stitching) are incredibly important in Sashiko. However, it doesn’t explain the whole. Understanding the expectation that the ordinary Japanese would have is important. “Sashiko” is a Japanese word. Therefore, we call it “Sashiko”. Without “willingness” to learn what isn’t obvious, it can be any other name, and I believe each culture has its name for stitching.

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Please do not get me wrong. I am NOT asking anyone to stop using the word “Sashiko”. Use it for your stitching project. However, please keep learning. It has at least 100 years of established practice. They say it is 400 years, or could be more. I cannot simplify the significance, and therefore, I am teaching & sharing Sashiko as a Japanese who was born in Japanese Sashiko.

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この数年で僕の中でも様々な価値観が変わりましたが、一番大きな変化が「家が一番好きになった」ということです。昔は出張とかホテル住まいとか好きだったし、なんなら外資系に勤めてた友達が年間の半分ホテル滞在とか聞いて羨ましいなぁと思っていた側なのですが、今では逆で移動したくない感じです。空港に滞在する感じ、マスク装着している以外はもう以前と変わらない混雑さだし。とはいえ、こんな状況下にもかかわらず、「ワークショップ楽しみにしているよ！」という声を頂き、一緒に時間を過ごしながら刺し子を共有できるのは、本当に有難いことだなと思うのです。  

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Fabric carries Stories. Some call it fabric’s memory. Others may call it the history of fabric. I sometimes call it “Spirit” in Fabric. Cloth/Fabric separate us (human beings) from other mammals, and therefore, it is important to be mindful.
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Sashiko/Boro is just a Japanese word. However, words also carry Stories. It is understandable to use the word to get attention, or even better profit, in this society. I am NOT sharing stories to prevent them using the word. I am just asking, if they want to use the word, use it “appropriately” instead of filtering the possible stories because they may be inconvenient to them. I am NOT asking them to spend years of time learning, or thousands of dollars to get a degree (like higher education). If they want to learn what Sashiko is (especially for us), I am here to share. If they do not care for learning – even worse, keep ignoring the voice from Japanese, then they need to stop using the word: Because fabric and words both carry the stories: the stories identify who I am today. Sashiko is more than stitching. Boro isn’t a word for mending technique.
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昔は刺し子が大嫌いでした。貧乏くさい針仕事だと思っていたし、布そのものにも全く興味が湧きませんでした。所詮、布。それから人並みに、あるいは人様よりもちょっと起伏の激しい人生を歩んでみて、布という存在に惹かれ続けています。刺し子が好きになったから布が好きになったのか、布が好きになったから刺し子が好きになったのか、いまでははっきり覚えていませんが、それでも恵子さんが作る刺し子作品を見る度に様々な知覚が刺激されるのは、やっぱり布が持つ力なんだろうと思っています。来週はそんな刺し子をフロリダで教えてきます。また報告できたら良いなと思っています。って毎回同じことを言うのですが、いざワークショップが始まると集中しすぎて写真すら撮らないのですが……今回こそは！
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I am a mere Sashiko artisan – who just learned the word “Cultural Appropriation (C/A)” in 2019 after a painful experience. I try to learn not only my pain, but the possible pain for others. I am still learning C/A, but please do not worry about it too much especially if you worry about appropriating the culture at this point.
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The key phrase for C/A is “acknowledgement”. If you acknowledge Sashiko is more than technique, the change in culture will be healthy. If you acknowledge my voice, and spread the words, it is preventing Sashiko from being appropriated more than necessary. So, without you, I cannot preserve the Sashiko I practice today. Thank you.
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I have been sharing “Raw Scenery of Sashiko Stitching” for 4 years+. While I sincerely appreciate the support to me via taking my Sashiko class, I do not want to decide “who can learn Sashiko” based on what they have. Anyone can learn by just watching me stitching. Many have done that. I believe they spread my voices. The Sashiko stitching I share is unique: as not many Japanese people take my class. I was advised that there are people who may have “copied” what I share on Youtube, and shared “their Sashiko” with others with no reference. Well. It is sad but It happens. Many advised me that “Sharing it for free” is a horrible idea. But I have a bigger goal. Please copy. But, please keep listening to our voice. “Technique” itself won’t fulfill what Sashiko is. Unfortunately, those who just copied what I do on Youtube can only share the surface. When they ignore the stories and push the surface as “Sashiko” for their profit, then it is Cultural Appropriation.
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Please be mindful of who you learn from. You can have as many teachers as you want. However, please, acknowledge that Sashiko may be more than what non-Japanese teach. It is “you” who form the future. Today is Thursday, Live Streaming at 9 pm EST on Youtube.
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来週のワークショップに向けて準備に忙しい週末です。普段は目の前の刺し子に手一杯で、完成した作品をじっくり眺めることはないのですが、ご購入頂く可能性がある作品もあるので、準備段階で丁寧に針目を見るようにしています。改めてですが、これだけの針目を手刺しするって狂気の沙汰ですよね。やってる本人は気がついたら刺し終わっているというレベルですが（笑）金曜日は配信の日です。本日も夜10時半開始で日本語の刺し子配信をします。是非遊びに来て下さい〜。
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I appreciate the feedback that they like my writing – some even say it is like a poem. The instructor in the Writing Center (in Collage) will be proud of (or even surprised at) this feedback. Well. I am aware that my English isn’t very good in the most standard. My goal is to encourage readers to read between the lines. I want you to imagine (reflect) while reading what I share. If one looks for a quick answer, my writing is a scribble. If they think/imagine while reading, I hope they get something out of my stories. I don’t know what resonates with you, but I try my best to keep sharing.
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The Sashiko I teach is like that. Needle Techniques, Skill, and Designs… all of them are important, but secondary. Of course, I teach all of them thoroughly. On top of that, I want them to learn how Sashiko may offer you a different perspective in life. That’s the beauty of learning something different, and Sashiko is indeed something new to those who aren’t familiar with Japanese culture.
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I received an announcement that the 3-Days Workshop I am offering in Stuart, FL between 1/31 to 2/2 are just above the minimum enrollment. If you would like to learn what Sashiko really is for us, and make these 3-days available for Sashiko, I believe I can offer an “eye-opening” experience for you. It is rare to have this small group workshop for 3-days (well, it is rare to offer In-person workshop anyway in this pandemic). I hope to meet/see some of you here in FL next week. The link is available on my Story, or simply visit https://ift.tt/3r1dzDd to look for Sashiko Workshop. Thank you!
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現状での対面式のワークショップの集客はなかなかに難しいのでしょうか。主催者から「開催はするよ」とご連絡は頂いていたのですが、ギリギリで最低履行人数をクリアしたようで。これまで毎回キャンセル待ちが出るような状態だったので、頭を冷やす良い機会になりました。私の頭を冷やす機会はそれとして、主催者の方に申し訳ない気持ちもあるので、もう来週のワークショップですが宣伝させて頂きました。ま、開催する以上利益は出るんだろうし、コロナ禍を考えると対面でワークショップができること自体有り難いのだけど、でもやっぱり引き受けた仕事は全力で且つ巻き込む皆が喜べるような結果が出せたらと思うのです。残り数日ですが宣伝頑張ってみますー。
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In the previous post, I summarized my voice regarding “Boro” as follows: it exists in a world where there are no answers, and often no definition, but with mutual understanding. As I received a comment, I realized this (no answers, but mutual understanding) is the most important message I need to deliver to the people who enjoy Sashiko in non-Japanese language.
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I have been thinking of something less confusing. We DO have answers and definitions, but they often do not exclude others. Therefore, it is “my” answer yet someone’s new learning. So, here is the updated version of my voice: “Less Definition, More Imagination”.
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I believe in the power of “imagining”, and Sashiko and Boro are deeply related to that. When we “define”, then we try to draw a clear line between right and wrong. Instead, why don’t we try to “imagine” first when we enjoy stitching: where I hope it will be a less judgemental environment. Hand-stitching can give us a LOT of time to imagine. So, instead of asking for answers or rules that someone else defined for someone’s profit, let’s imagine how “Japanese would have practiced Sashiko, and then left us Boro”. The power of imagination is much more important than knowledge – especially in Sashiko & Boro. Please help me to spread this out. Don’t look for answers and definitions first. Instead, enjoy imagining. Then, you will find an answer & definition from your imagination – and the outcome of your imagination will not be so different from each other: that’s what we call “Mutual Understanding in Sashiko & Boro”.
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来週金曜日の刺し子の配信、リクエストを頂いたので「侘び寂び」について語ろうかと思っています。拙い知識ではありますが僕なりに考え続けている「わびさび」についての考察です。ネットで調べたら出てくる感じのお話だけで終わるのではなく、考え続けている事を基準にお話できたらと思っています。
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わびさびを説明する際の肝心な共通理解が、「想像力の大切さ」だと思っています。僕が過去4年ずーっと言っている「想像力の欠如が一番だめ」という問題提起の中で、侘び寂びを端的な言葉で説明できるとしてしまわないように、丁寧にお話できればと思っています。わびさびに絶対的な色はありませんが、皆様が想像する色は似てくるハズです。なぜショッキングピンクを思い浮かべないのか。そこに語れる物語があると思うのです。28日の夜10時半からです。
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