Category: SNS Post

Tons of stories about Japanese Culture & Sashiko here. I am glad that you enjoy it, and sometimes, it inspires you or it brings you to think more. Here, some think that I am trying to limit Sashiko, or some accuse me of being arrogant. Well, all I do here is to write a letter to my own daughter, who has so many cultural roots: an American with Jewish, USSR, and Japanese cultural heritage. 

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I believe there are similar audiences like my daughter with many heritage, and wishing to learn more about their own roots. I am here for that. Your struggle can be my daughter’s struggle. It is a life-long letter with sharing everything I have.

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数え切れない程に言葉にしてきましたが、僕が刺し子と日本文化を一緒に伝える理由は、「将来、自分がどこから来たのか」という悩みを持つかもしれない娘に、何かを残して上げたいと思っているからです。崇高な目的が有るわけでも、ギラギラとした野望が有るわけでもなく、「あのクソ親父は一体何をして生きてきたんだろう？」と、いつか娘が思った時に、「刺し子や襤褸という、布にヤスリをかけて、その上に補修するという針仕事」という偏った情報ではなく、「布と糸と、針と指ぬきを通して、日本文化って何だろうって考えたんだよ。ルーツの一つでもある日本は、きっともっと面白いよ」と思えるだけの物語を残したいのです。米国人の娘なので、日本人としての前提は持ち合わせません。だからこそ、丁寧に、どんな人でも少しでも理解が深まってもらえればと、文章にしてきています。

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僕自身、父親が大嫌いでした。ただ、親父亡き今思うのは、もっと話したかったという願いです。親父にとって刺し子とはなんだったのか。同じ文化圏で育ってきても想像は難しい。となれば、僕の娘が僕の当たり前を想像するのは、恐らく不可能です。だからこその文章で、だからこそ僕は友達が欲しいんだろうなぁ。いつ死ぬかもしれないという思いで生きているので、何かあった際には、「必死に面倒くさくあろうとしたのが貴方の父親だよ」と娘に伝えてくれる人がいれば嬉しいなと思うのです。

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“Are you saying that we have to understand where ‘Sashiko’ and ‘Boro’ came from & What they are before we claim we are doing Sashiko & Boro?”. One frequent question I receive. I have shared answers already on Youtube, but it is important to deliver.

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My honest reaction is “Why are you even asking this?”. Sashiko is a Japanese Term, right? However, I am NOT saying that they must “Master” or “be fluent” in Japanese or Japanese culture, or Sashiko/Boro to claim what they do Sashiko and Boro. All I am asking is “willingness” to learn about Sashiko & Boro when they realize that there are Japanese voices behind these words. Without proper willingness to learn more, using the foreign words can be categorized into Cultural Appropriation.

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I hope you agree that  “I don’t care what Sashiko & Boro are or where they are from, but I am using it just because (they bring me money, followers and attention.)” is a violent statement in terms of Preserving the Culture. It is NOT anyone’s fault that they didn’t know it. There aren’t (weren’t) many resources. However, after they come across the voices, then ignoring (indifference) it for their convenience causes significant pain. Sashiko & Boro are the Japanese words: They are not the marketing terms for someone’s business. 

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偉そうに文章にしていますが、基本失敗だらけです（笑）。一生忘れないだろうなと思う失敗の一つが、僕の日本語の理解と一般的な理解が違ってしまい誤解をうんでしまったこと。「定義」と聞くと構えてしまうのが日本ですもんね。はたまたそれが「再定義」なんて言ったら怖さすら感じてしまう。僕が「いや、物語を掘り出したいだけなんです」と言った所で、再定義という言葉を使った段階で壁ができてしまう。大反省です。

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米国では定義が全てです。日本語のような良い意味での曖昧さがあると、異文化が集まる国では争いがうまれます。だから必ずルールが必要です。そんな絶対的な定義が必要な国で、「定義なんて趣がねーなー」という文化を伝える。考えれば考える程無謀ですが、でもね、頑張りますよ（というわけで、Youtubeにまた英語の動画をアップしました。ちょっと冒険したよ）。

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I learned that “being nice” is a fundamental part of relationships in the US. I understand it is important, but here, in this account, please be nice to yourself first. You don’t have to be nice to anyone, but try to be kind. I much prefer “learn with pain” than “ignore with comfort”.

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SNS is a scary place. An “account” whom I don’t know & who claim they don’t care to know me can say anything anonymously. The more I speak up, the higher the risk gets. I was… I am still in fear of those anonymous malice. I did not speak up for a while even in the pain. I tried to ignore my pain by being nice to others. For that, I wasn’t either nice to myself, and kind to others who really wish to learn Sashiko. It is SNS, though, who encouraged me today. You may minimize your pain, yet if it hurts a lot, speak up. 99.9% of the people will ignore your voice, yet there is always someone who listens. This account exists thanks to those 0.1% who decided to listen to insignificant matters to most people, yet an unbearable pain to me. I am NOT a leader in Sashiko. All I do is to make sure that no one is left behind, like a teacher without a specific homeroom who checks if all the kids are on the bus.

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昔、刺し子配信で頻繁に、「俺は刺し子のリーダーになりたいんじゃない。迷子になっている子がいないか、落とし物がないかって、一番最後に歩く担任を持ってない先生みたいな存在になりたいんだ」って笑いながら言ってましたが、漸くそれを英語で書く準備ができました。求められている役割がリーダーだとしても、理想論だよねとバカにされても、でも「一人も置いてけぼりにしない刺し子」を望んでいます。そんなんできるのって自分自身が一番不安がっていますが、でもね、やってみないとね。

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Sashiko (and Boro) became a trendy word in unfortunate lack of resources, and more scary, in ignorance & indifference. My heart aches when I see a person damaging the fabric with a file or sandpaper, and they call it Sashiko/Boro without proper understanding/explanation. The Japanese felt the opposite, I believe. They stitched to avoid those “damages”. When one ignores the fact & voices from origin, then, it becomes the issue of Cultural Appropriation, I understand.

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I am NOT, however, limiting anyone’s creativity. If they want to “distress” their denim, and say it “inspired by Sashiko (Boro)”, I am fine as long as one condition is agreed: The willingness to introduce the stories on the other side. When one explains (shares) as many stories as possible to respect the culture, the outcome (here distressed garment itself) will not cause the pain. When one expresses their willingness to learn, I am here to share. Only thing I despise is the “ignorant” and “indifference” as if I am over-reacting.  

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If anyone wants to be creative with distressed denim, I respect it. That’s an important evolution in “Fashion”. It is perfectly fine to say “inspired by Sashiko”, but I want them to specify what they are inspired by. If that doesn’t include the stories: if they are just inspired by how it looks, then I need to keep speaking up loudly (More than 99% cases, they just don’t know and they are willing to learn. Unfortunately, 1% of the people block what I share). The word “inspired” cannot be the excuse for ignorance, yet anything can be inspired by Sashiko.

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体重がドラマチックに上下している食欲とダイエットの秋。もう見た目にはあまり拘らなくなりましたが、何がキツイってお気に入りのデニムを履けなくなった事だったりします。サイズが違うとモデルになって頂く形を探さなきゃいけない（笑）。日本の平面裁断って、そういう意味では体重の増減にも対応できる余裕はあるよなぁと。作務衣とかどれだけ太っても同じの着てますし。言い訳はこれくらいにして、かっこよく刺し子デニムを着こなせるように頑張ります。

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We live in a world of “Choices”. The personal choice is more precious & respected than anything. I agree with that. I am grateful to have a choice to “choose”. It is a great achievement of our ancestors who worked so hard to make choices available for us. Therefore, we shouldn’t ignore their effort while they didn’t have their “choices”.

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I really appreciate your choice of listening to my voice & liking them. At the same time, I understand their choice of not liking what I share. I am nowhere to convince them. It is arrogant if I were to think that I can change them in this “choice” society. Therefore, no matter how many hateful messages I receive, I will keep sharing the stories. My goal is NOT to be liked: It is to share the story so that the other groups of people can “choose” what they want to have in their future. (Of course, I want to be liked, but that’s another story). 

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Don’t be so worried about someone’s choice. They are just unhappy (or faking that they are happy). One of the best things about Sashiko is that you can find your “own” definition of what you do (who you are). You can “feel” happiness instead of fighting to win over. We worry when we know the cause. When we know the cause, we can help each other. When we fear, we don’t know the exact cause. Therefore, I share stories to ease the fear. Happiness is behind the worry. The more you worry, the more caring you are: I keep sharing “Don’t worry too much”, right? I share Sashiko’s story in fear of those who do not worry about anything, and your voice will help me to understand what is behind the fear. 

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昨日の配信、ありがとうございました。やっぱり日本語は癒やされる……。ほぼ未編集のままですが、Youtubeにアーカイブをアップしておきました。ラジオ感覚で聞いて頂ければ幸いです。たぶん、こういう話をどこかに残しておくことが、何かに決着をつけるよりもよっぽど大切なことだと思うんです。

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In 2+ years of sharing Sashiko stories, I learned the importance of “delivering the message”, which is repeating the same phrase over and over to “deliver” it. There are many methods to deliver the message. Ex). A big advertisement budget and customizing the messages toward “comfortableness (easy to listen)”. I do not plan to do either. No Paid Advertisement. I will be honest rather than “comfortable”. If I need to twist my message, then there is no meaning to what I do. Therefore I haven’t had any investors in my business. Therefore, I haven’t met a publisher who is happy to publish what I want to share. Therefore, your words to your family & friends are the best support I can think of. The more people listen to the actual voice, open up their mind, acknowledge the filtered comfort, the more I can support Sashiko both in JP/EN and many other languages. I may meet a publisher and patrons who carefully understand what I am doing. Please share my voice on Here, Youtube, and Sashiko Class (Feel free to translate to your language). Your caring voice will be the future of Sashiko.

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Some say I am causing conflict in Sashiko. Well, all I am saying is “The Sashiko available in English is insufficient (not wrong)”. I do not want to make an enemy, or attack anyone specifically. I am just saying, the Sashiko without learning the Japanese (culture & language) can be NOT enough. If they think my voice is creating conflict & confusion, then it is their personal issue that my voice is inconvenient to them. I want “everyone” to enjoy Sashiko regardless of who they are: therefore, I need your help to spread the words. The Sashiko you can read/watch in English is NOT wrong but limited (filtered/insufficient). I am here to share the story & deliver the message.

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刺し子。「大変な仕事（しなければいけない針仕事）」で「貧しさの象徴」だった史実があります。今、貧しくて仕方なくて刺し子をしなければいけない……という人は、そんなにいらっしゃらないと想像します（いらっしゃったらご紹介ください）。刺し子は手芸となり、選択肢の一つとなりました。素晴らしい文化の発展です。ただ、史実はしっかり伝えたいのです。まだ実際に貧しさの中で刺し子をした人が存命する今だからこそ。

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日本国内では心配していません。僕じゃなくてもいい。伝えることができる諸先輩は沢山いらっしゃいます。英語圏では僕が今我武者羅にならないと大変な事になりかねないと思い、情報発信をしています。杞憂に終われば（何にもならないけれど）それで良し……という覚悟すら持って。

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My mother, Keiko, and I lost everything 8 years ago. With arranging what we had, and what we wanted to have, we started our Sashiko from Zero: We had nothing but ourselves. Keiko decided to live with Sashiko again, and I am determined to support her no matter what.

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“What is Sashiko (for Keiko)?” → A way of living. “Does Keiko like Sashiko” → It isn’t a matter of like or not. I do not have a specific teacher in Sashiko. All of the artisans I grew up with are the teachers. However, Keiko, as the one who was always here with Sashiko, is the fundamental of our story. 

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We shouted out in gratitude when a customer purchased a skein of thread when we restarted our Sashiko. The feeling hasn’t changed at all. We appreciate everyone who supports us in various ways. Therefore, we order packages with our own hands, wishing to meet them & share Sashiko with them, one day, together. This is a series of Sashiko Stories of a mother & son, who happened to live with Sashiko as their fate. 

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久々に恵子さんと顔を合わせながら話をしました。きっかけを頂いて、これまでの「刺し子と恵子さんと僕」のお互いの思いを言葉にする必要が出てきて、その簡単な打ち合わせの為の時間でした。改めて思うのは、僕が日々お伝えしているお話の土台は恵子さんの言葉にあるということ。当たり前だけど、でも、恵子さんの素直な言葉を聞くと声を出して笑ってしまうほどに核心をついてくるのです。

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「（恵子さんにとっての）刺し子とは？」→生きるための手段。修行。「刺し子は好き？」→好きとか嫌いとかっていう次元じゃない。「刺し子から学んだことは？」→継続することの難しさ。私利私欲だけでは継続できない。などなど。やっぱり恵子さんは僕の師匠であり、生き字引みたいなもんです。刺し子で生き抜いてきた人だから。

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僕と恵子さんは一度全てを失い、一度は刺し子を諦め、でもやっぱり刺し子から離れることはできなくて、8年間大切なものを整理しながら積み上げてきました。まだまだ道半ばですが、ここまでこれたのは本当に皆様のおかげです。専業子育て主夫だった僕と、ネットビジネスなんて知識ゼロだった恵子さん。糸や作品をご購入頂く度に歓喜の声をあげ、その感謝の気持は7年経った今でも全く変わりがありません。いつか、是非、皆様には恵子さんの作品を直にとって見て頂きたい・感じて頂きたいです。刺し子作品には魂が宿る。そんな迷信じみたことを形にしていると思うのでね。今後ともどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

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Since May 2019, I have been sharing many Sashiko Stories on this account. Since my goal was sharing, not so much “delivering the message”, I tried to write a new story everyday. I tried one story per day for a long time. 

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I will keep sharing the stories. I won’t change my life. At the same time, I am realizing the importance/significance of “Delivering the Message”: Unfortunately, it is too late for me to just “share” the stories. There is so much “filtered information”, which causes several critical misunderstandings, and I need to re-repaint the “common sense” in today’s Sashiko. Otherwise, we may not be able to “raise” Sashiko artisans who can stitch this type of Sashiko Jackets & Pants. I do my best to pass them down in my class, yet the speed of trend is much faster & stronger than one individual can do. 

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If you are new to this account, please enjoy each Sashiko Story here. Each day, I have something new for you to read, and then make you think. If you are a long time follower, could you please share the post which you remember the most? Or the Sashiko Story I wrote that most influenced you? It would be great if you remember which post (specific date), but the contents of the posts are good as well. Or even, just memories will help me to go through the ideas. I will try to repeat the stories in different way to describe the Sashiko Story. Thank you for your time, in advance.

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「結果も効率も考えず、我武者羅に（僕が知っている刺し子を）伝える」ことを何よりも重要視して、このアカウントを継続しています。今後も方針は変えないのですが、同時に、「伝えたいことを伝えるための努力」をする必要もあると思うようになりました。それほどに海外での刺し子の人気と流行の伝播は早いものがあります。「結果と効率を考えて、伝えたいメッセージを繰り返す」ことにも力を入れていこうと思っています。

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最近フォローを頂いた方。是非これまでの投稿とYoutubeに残っている配信等をご覧頂いて、僕が刺し子に抱いている思いをご覧頂けたら嬉しいです。長い間フォローして下さっている皆様、記憶に残ったり、それは伝えるべきだというような思いを抱いた僕の投稿があれば、是非教えてくださいませ。力強い物語からしっかり伝えていきたいと思っております。依頼を受けて、久々に日本語で長い文章を書きました。また自分のブログでも文章に残します。大好きな刺し子が残りますように。

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I received a comment summarizing my situation well. It is an unfortunate misunderstanding based on cultural differences. Since I often receive similar criticism (usually not nicely summarized like this, but with more anger), here is clarification.

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The Comment is: ““If I were to practice Sashiko techniques as a non-Japanese, my efforts are inauthentic by default. At best inspired imitation. I cannot therefore “seek authenticity” in my own work, and certainly not with importation of materials.””

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I don’t think so, and I never said so. As any non-Japanese can enjoy Sashiko, anyone can be “authentic” if they try to. I don’t even see the need of distinguishing what is authentic or not. If one wants to be authentic, then they just try to learn more. This may not make sense in dualism culture because the value is “Authentic” or “Imitation”. Many get angry with me because of what they think I say. In reality, all I am asking is to “acknowledge” and “care to learn” more so that we can avoid the Cultural Filtration. 

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I know it is difficult to feel natural about it. Therefore, I ask them to take my Sashiko Class. I believe many graduates understand what I mean above by practicing Sashiko as we do. When one thinks Sashiko is (just) a technique, it is probably difficult to understand fully. “Sashiko Thread” isn’t only a vehicle to be authentic. It’s not that complicated. I simply need the thread for our Sashiko, and I would like to protect the small manufacturers. I believe, none of my Sashiko friends woud say “whatever thread is fine” because they know the threads change their experience. Needle, thimble, fabric… everything we use is key to enjoy Sashiko:  I want to protect them from those who do not know anything about Sashiko but trying to make money out of “just words, not practice”. 

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Please don’t label your stitching so easily. Authentic, Traditional, Inspired, Imitated…Sashiko can exist without labeling. Therefore, I say no “right or wrong”. Your Sashiko can be authentic when you learn. My Sashiko can be fake when I stop caring. Sashiko exists outside of dualism, and therefore I speak up.

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また英語が長くなりました。伝えても伝えても伝わらない。繰り返すしかないんだろうと思います。

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When I talk about “Sustainability (& our thread)”, there is a disagreement saying “It is about you. I do not have to spend any dime by using the thread I purchased a long time ago”. Yes, this statement is true. If one has a pile of thread, I wouldn’t want them to throw threads away. I want them to use it for other purposes like mending. If they decide to use it for Sashiko, then I want them to understand the difference in threads, and explain it when they call it Sashiko. If they insist on using the word Sashiko shouting the importance of sustainability, then I want them to think about Cultural Sustainability as well. Is it too much to ask?

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I am one of the few who write/speak in both JP/EN language & being with Sashiko for more than decades. Most of the information you can find is edited/translated either by non-Japanese or Japanese who started Sashiko recently. Their explanations are NOT wrong, but not “a whole”. I dare not say my Sashiko is the whole, but I have so many stories. Therefore I can write 1K of stories here on SNS and 130+ long articles on Patreon. Sashiko is more than what is explained in English. If your situation allows, please consider supporting my stories & our Sashiko on Patreon. You can make a significant difference by as low as $5.00 per month. I will answer most of your questions there, too. Your support goes directly to our days & Sashiko. I am not interested in luxury items… if you find me wearing a Richard Mille watch, I will refund all of the money I receive. Ever since I accepted my fate in Sashiko, I decided to use all of the surplus to Sashiko & related fields. Your choice (support & purchase) directly helps the Sashiko I have been with since I was born.

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Patreon: https://ift.tt/2xUP7a9

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英語圏での刺し子に向き合うようになり、2年半が経ちました。あっという間……ではなかった（笑）毎日相当量の英文を書き続けるのは想像以上に大変です。またSNSではリスクも有る為、本当に書きたいことはお金を頂いたPatreonという場所で書いています。お金を頂くので、やっぱり丁寧に書きたい……と思い、結果日本語が蔑ろになってしまっています。英語ではありますが、もし僕が2年間半書き続けた事に興味を持って頂ける場合は、Patreonをご覧頂けると幸いです。ただ、書いていることは、日本人には当たり前のことなんですけどね。それも日本語で書く日を作ります。

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