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Sashiko isn’t only “Fashion”. 
Sashiko itself isn’t Art (to me). 
Sashiko isn’t about Pattern or Design. 
Sashiko isn’t only about mending.

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It is natural, you wonder, “what the heck is Sashiko then?” because I keep saying Sashiko is NOT ◯◯. I cannot define it, well… I do not want to define it with my limited understanding. I am planning on the webinar to explain this. Free? A bit of Charge? I am not sure yet.

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If I were to summarize it into one sentence, “Sashiko is a form of (hand) stitching”. That’s it. No more or less than that. Some may wonder, well, then it is super easy & every culture has stitches like Sashiko. Yes! Therefore, the name matters: the word “Sashiko” carries a lot more than what non-Japanese know, which is ordinary for the Japanese. 

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I keep nah-ing to many media which have written up their articles then ask me to back it up. Since they all talk about fashion, art, design, pattern, how-to and how this trend of mending & upcycling can affect another movement, it would be unfortunate for both of us. Recently, this trend changed and I met several media who are willing to listen to me. One great media (Piecework) even “paid” for my writing. Selvedge is another magazine that listens to the voice from makers. It is easy to mold “it” to your comfortable form. However, by molding it, something important may be lost. I am speaking up to preserve the “something” which may be a great help to someone who is in need.

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今でも自分でも信じられないことなのですが、刺し子を再開するにあたり、「お金を第一義にしない」という絶対軸を作りました。これ実際は大変で、投資家を募ることもできないし、何でも良いからメディアに出ちゃえということもできません。未熟な段階から、未熟な僕が「誰と何をするか」を選ばなきゃいけないということなんです。最悪の場合……というか、普通失敗します（笑）だから、養う家族がいる人はできませんし、僕自身、昔は背負うものがあったのでできませんでした。ただ、一回きりの人生、ここまで振り切っちゃうのも有りかなと。そんな面倒な僕の記事を書いて頂きました。刺し子の記事なのに、「刺し子の方法」とかが一切書いてないのです。英語で情報発信を始めて4年。ひとつのカタチかなと。

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Thank you for many good wishes for my fingers. They are getting better. I am an idealist, but not so an idiot to destroy my finger on purpose by doing idiotic things (like stitching in pain). 

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The point is, though, the “ordinary” of Sashiko stitching. I have a friend who has spent her entire life in music. She takes extra care for her hands, and I completely understand it. Her hands create the beautiful music & art. My hands may create the “art” as well, but protecting it from the “possible injury” by outsourcing all the other “ordinary work” such as yard work, cooking, and cleaning doesn’t make sense in terms of “Sashiko and its ordinary”. Sashiko is part of ordinary work, and therefore, I do not fear the damage of hands. It is part of it. Health and Body are very important and precious. I dare not to damage it on purpose. I will try my best to heal them. However, I just want to share that I will keep working on my hands no matter how valuable my Sashiko becomes. 

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沢山のご心配のお声を頂き、恐縮です。ありがとうございます。アホなことばかり言っていますが、基本的には小心者の慎重派です。無茶をする時は、無茶と把握した上で行動するので一線は超えません。前回の投稿で書いたこと、誤解があるといけないので補足させて下さい。

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「指が痛くても、違和感があっても、何も考えずに刺し子をする。無茶をして指が悪化して、違う指や手を使ってでも刺し子を断固続ける」というようなことは、全く思っていません。手が使えないなら頭を使えと、この数日で積み上がってた本を沢山読みました。わーい。僕が意図したことは、「過剰に手を保護してまでする針仕事は、刺し子っぽいかなぁ」という疑問です。ほら、ピアニストが手袋とかをして、手を大切にするじゃないですか。それは「手に怪我をするリスク」を極限まで減らして、手による芸術（音楽）を奏でる芸術家だからです。刺し子も芸術としての影が強くなると、「日常生活の当たり前はしなくていい。刺し子は芸術なんだから、手を大切に」と言われてしまう日がくるのかなと、妻からの心配を受けて少し心配になったからなんです。

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勿論、健康や身体は大切です。大義がなければ無茶は駄目です。同時に、調子に乗るのも駄目だと思うのですよ。「刺し子は素晴らしいものだ！」と英語圏から言われ続ける毎日の中で、やっぱり僕は「そうなのかなぁ」と常に自問自答をしておきたいのです。刺し子から日常が薄れると、何か違うものになってしまいそうな気がして。

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Over the last weekend, before it gets too hot & humid here, I worked outside in our backyard. Normal routine work, but then I realized my pinky finger doesn’t move well, following with a bit of pain. On Sunday, I cooked dinner for 2 families (of course, without this taping). They are a family of both medical doctors, and one recommended X-ray, the other advised aluminium splint, and my choice was Salonpas. It is getting better, so it’s all good. 

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My wife worried a lot saying “Oh, that’s your stitching hand. Don’t do yard work. Your fingers are very important.” As much as I appreciate her concern, if I start protecting my hands for the purpose of stitching, it is not the main stream of Sashiko. Routine Yardwork, handyman missions, cleaning, cooking and anything that I use with my own hand is a part of my “ordinary”. I do not want to be overprotected as someone who makes something extraordinary. If my index finger is broken, I will use other fingers. If my right hand is unavailable, I can use the left hand. No hands? Then feet. The Core of Sashiko that I appreciate isn’t so much in making the perfect stitches. The beautiful perfect stitches are important, but also “merely” a result. 

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Sashiko is my life: nothing will change that. 

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先週、庭仕事をずーっと続けた後、ふと右手の小指の痛みに気が付きました。動かない。突き指をした時のような鈍い痛みです。痛覚が鈍いので、大丈夫っしょと放置しつつ、日曜日に披露した夕飯時には、お医者様ご夫婦から「レントゲンしないと駄目」とか「固定してりゃ大丈夫」とか助言を頂きましたが、僕は安定のサロンパスです。久光製薬さん、米国進出ありがとうございます。

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運針ができない程度には痛みがあったのですが、僕よりも心配してくれたのが妻で。「針を持つ手じゃない！」と今後の庭仕事も考え直したら？と指摘がありました。外注しろってことです。う〜ん。僕は日常の当たり前の仕事、庭仕事、炊事洗濯、日曜大工等を外注してまで、刺し子に没頭はしたくないのです。むしろ、刺し子もその日常の当たり前の一部で。刺し子だけ抜き出すのは変。一つの指が動かなくなりゃ、違う指で。右手が駄目なら左手で。それが駄目なら体のどこかで。刺し子の真髄は必ずしも「針目という結果」だけじゃないかなと思っているのでね。勿論、美しい針目は大事ですけれど。

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As you may know by now, the denim is done by my student, so yes, anyone can do Sashiko.

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Some criticize me for being arrogant & not generous because I do not answer their questions “right away”. Well… All of their answers including “how to” and “techniques” are all available out there already, for “FREE” or charge. Some questions require the thinking process. If a question is unique after being well-researched, I usually answer it (or ask them to wait for me to make a post or a video). I really do not know how to be “more generous” than that. I am not their parents who spoon-feed, and they aren’t babies who need to be spoon-fed… at least, that’s what I think (hope).

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All the information, including tutorials, are available from the links on my profiles. However… well, in fact, “therefore”, please be mindful when you enjoy Sashiko. I offer very exclusive supplies. When I offer more “generalized” items, I try my best to offer competitive pricing. It will help me to keep offering the stories when you choose to purchase from @upcyclestitches. When you have surplus, please consider Online Sashiko Class (or In-person Workshop). The tutorials are there, but my class is much more than just tutorials – which I need to get to know you a bit to pass down (In person or Live Session). Since Sashiko is getting so popular, your mindful choice will help the culture to survive. Supplies matter. Stories matter. I am sharing what is the core & essence of Sashiko here. 

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先日の配信で何気なく使った言葉、「狂気」という表現が気に入っています。 何百時間、何千時間と刺し子をしていると、「何が楽しいの？」と言われる事は常々なのですが、人様から狂気と思われる所を通って突き抜ける何かができるのかなと、振り返りつつ客観的に思ったりしています。刺し子は誰にでもできます。だからこそ、狂気に近い所を通る作品には魅了されるんだろうなぁと。ま、刺してる本人は狂気と思っていない所が一番狂気だとは思いますが（笑）運針を教えだして、それは僕だけの狂気ではなく、運針に付随する狂気だったんだなと、嬉しく、そして少し申し訳なく思ったりしています。

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I am just sharing stories. I do not plan (wish) to take any radical actions regardless of the pain or risk I foresee. I have a strong faith in humanity. I sincerely believe that once “they” know the difference, “they” will start caring, and eventually adjust. “Not knowing” is fine. Therefore, I am here to share the history, knowledge, wisdom and stories. I believe we are better than how we define ourselves… Am I too idealistic? 

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There are, of course, reasons why I believe in humanity. One is because I am a product of decent people. They do not consider themselves as someone special: but they were nice not only to me but also to everyone else around. Although I mostly made this foundation in Japan, I believe it is the same across the cultures and countries. I am a big believer of (SeiZen Theory) 性善説 – that no one is born evil: (I shared this story in Patreon with details). 

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In short, I believe in YOU. Yes, my pain is here due to the cultural filtration I come across. However, most of the filtration is caused by “good-intention”, being led by intentional ignorance. It is not my intention to create “a fight” to define which side is right. It isn’t so much to Japanese culture. I am just waiting, with sharing stories, the timing of people start realizing “Umm. Something may be missing here”. After 3 years of sharing stories, I am surely feeling the change. If I do not believe in this humanity, I would have given up Sashiko a long time ago: and just adding the cultural tip: although many are naturally decent, one had to be “decent” to fit the Japanese collectivism in history. Well, that’s another story.

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運針会の開催、決定致しました。9月7日（火）の夜9時〜の開催です。久々の運針会。緊張ですが、楽しみです。念の為……学校休校等のキツイ状況をも想定して、来年まで出張は入れていません。なので、オンラインでの時間が増える予定です。上記の日程以外でも運針会を企画することはできますので、興味が有る方はお問い合わせ頂けたら幸いです。運針会とはなんぞや？という方は、プロフィールからブログ記事をご覧下さいませ。

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“Is Sashiko Art?”. I had a Live Streaming only in Japanese to share my understanding about Sashiko as Art or Non-Art. There are many reasons why I do not consider Sashiko as Art. It is almost meaningless to discuss to “conclude” if Sashiko is Art or not because the “definition” and “expectations” in English toward Art is different from the one from Japanese (at least, what I have). Therefore, it is okay to leave it “undecided”. For me, Sashiko is NOT Art. If you want to convince me to change, write to me in Japanese (Communication in English will not bring us to a mutual understanding due to different pre-set in this matter). At the same time, I humbly accept the admiration toward Sashiko as the Art. Yes, Sashiko “can be” Art. I just want them (non-Japanese) to think why some Japanese do not consider Sashiko as the Art, before using the word “Art” as an excuse to do whatever they want.

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In my stay in Pittsburgh, I learned that the “Art” can carry a lot of “messages”. Our Sashiko/Boro pieces carry many stories, and I share them. However, they aren’t messages to impact someone or something. When I make Sashiko for the purpose of influencing the world, then it may be a form of Art using Sashiko. This is something I can do now. In our society, outcome and results are the primary of success. This affects the way of Sashiko as well. Many worry if their result is good… or Sashiko even became a name for a pattern (which is wrong). I will make a piece as an antithesis for today’s “result oriented” society. Sashiko isn’t about making beautiful stitches. The beautiful stitches are “mere result”, not the essence. 

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「刺し子はアートか？」という一歩踏み込んだ刺し子配信、お付き合い頂きありがとうございました。楽しかったです。この命題に正解も間違いもなく、各々が想いを抱いて刺し子を楽しんで頂いたら良いなと思っています。ただ、考えるきっかけになればと思うんです。想像力を働かせる機会になれば。刺し子は芸術に”なりえます”が、同時に、刺し子は芸術ではないと思う人もいるという現実。全てを残すのが、欲張りかもしれませんが、僕の一番の願いです。

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I do not need to have a fancy meal. I just want to be able to buy Seasonal Fruits without checking the price tag. I do not want to drive a luxury car. I just want to let dealers handle the maintenance instead of shop around for the cheaper options. I do not wish to be an authority in Sashiko. I just want Sashiko to go through reasonable changes.

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This “normal” became somewhat difficult in today’s society, especially for those “crafters”, or even “artists” who try to work with their hands. By choosing a path to be the artist, artisan, or crafter, without generous supporters & patrons, one may have to go through the challenging life. Why do they choose the difficult life then? It is because they like what they do – and more importantly, they have reasons for what they do. Sashiko may be just a trend for some of you here. It is perfectly fine to enjoy Sashiko as a trend. However, please learn that there are numbers of people who “have (had) spent” or “have been spending” a life-long practice. Their “opinion” matters. However, I am not here to discuss individual opinions. I am here to share (leave behind) so that someone with care will carry it on.  

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明日(8/20）、日本語で「刺し子はアートか」なんていう仰々しいテーマを定めた配信を予定しています。日本時間の夜9時半頃開始で、1時間ちょいできたら良いかなぁなんて思っています。刺し子とはなんぞや……という、あまり語ってこなかった部分にも踏み込むと思うのですが、日本語での配信ということもあり、あまりキツキツな準備はしていません。幼少期からずーーーっと考えてきた刺し子についてのお話。真面目になればなる程、話が広がる気がしますが……できる限り焦点をずらさないように、楽しく語れれば良いなと思っています〜。

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It is such an honor to see an article about me & our Sashiko in the Issue 102, September / October 2021 of Selvedge Magazine (@selvedgemagazine). It was 2017 to learn about the Selvedge Magazine from my dear friend in NYC. She insisted that I should work hard to be in the magazine one day. After 4 years passed, I am happy that I could make it happen. Without her encouragement, it wouldn’t happen.

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I also hugely appreciate the writer who interviewed me. In the media, when they have a “close deadline”, the interviewers often try to get out of what they want to write (or what they already have written) from my mouth or writing. Instead, the writer in Selvedge wrote the article from scratch based on what we had taken for a few hours. The article is fantastically summarized as her understanding of Sashiko: I wouldn’t be able to summarize my message so nicely and clearly (therefore, I share so many stories here and there… hahaha). 

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If you subscribe to Selvedge Magazine, please wait for the copy of Issue 102. I am waiting for mine as well. If not, I recommend you to try one issue, or subscribe to the magazine, especially if you like the textile & fabric. I believe it is important to support a publisher like Selvedge who cares for the makers & It is always fun to read & enjoy beautiful photos. Let me know what you think about the article they wrote for me.

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2017年に英語で刺し子をお教えすることになる前は、英語圏での刺し子については、ほとんど気を配っていませんでした。なんでだろう……と今でも不思議に思うほどに、僕の刺し子の意識は国内限定でした。日本国外から刺し子への興味を頂いたら、「あら、嬉しい」くらいの気持ちで。

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その後、様々な方とお話をする中で、英語圏での刺し子についての認識が深まります。そんな英語での刺し子の恩人と言える友人から「淳は、この雑誌に掲載される所をまず目指すべき」と助言を頂いたのが、”Selvedge”という英国のテキスタイル雑誌でした。4年後の今、取材を頂き掲載頂けた事、一つ一つの積み重ねと、その積み重ねに手を差し伸べてくださった皆様のおかげだなと思っています。メディア嫌いを何度か口にしてますが、こうして丁寧に取材下さるのは本当に有り難い限りです。これからも一つずつ重ねていくだけですね。

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“Internet” changes pretty much everything about how we live. By enabling the “free” communications, many “stones” and “gems” got into the same box. It is us, individuals, to find what is a gem (valuable to them) and what is a stone (not so valuable). The internet makes anyone able to speak up anything: One can be a teacher by watching a video on the Internet and reading several books/articles even if it is not the “1st” resources. It isn’t a matter of good or bad. We just need to realize that it changed. The Internet can be a dangerous place when one cannot see through what is truth and fake.

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Some may think the freedom in the Internet (Social Network) brings a series of unfortunate outcomes. I feel similar when I encounter ignorance (often with privilege, but not accepting it) and arrogance without learning. However, it is also true that the Internet enables us (minority in comparison) to leave “the voices” behind. Usually, the “strong side (winner)” makes history. Although the history as the fact is always “One”, the stories may be filtered by those who can control. What I try to do is to introduce those “possibly filtered stories” because they didn’t have chances to leave. Without the Internet, what I am doing (including Sashiko itself) may have been buried in history as “Sashiko is a technique to make beautiful patterns, and Boro is a mending Technique”. Please know that [Sashiko = pattern & Boro = technique] is a story filtered by someone who benefits from it. Then you may wonder what they are? This is the account to teach you by sharing many stories. It isn’t me who will teach you what it is. It is you who find out what it is from the stories. 

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久々の講演会。無事に完遂することができました。日本人の方もご参加下さっていて、笑顔でご挨拶頂けたりして、何よりもほっとしています。「刺し子は（日本の）針仕事」で完結する内容なのですが、これだけシンプルな言葉で完結するからこそ、日本的な何かを言葉にしなきゃいけないと思うのですよ。前提が違う所から始まっているのでね。そんな話を日本語でもしていけたらと思っています。今週、金曜日の夜にYoutubeで配信しますね。

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I believe the people here have already realized it. However, just in case, here it is. I am NOT limiting your creativity. In fact, I am doing the opposite. I am helping you to expand your possibilities. Before criticizing what I write based on your “common sense”, realize it by reading between lines. It isn’t so difficult once you become mindful of what I am doing.

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“Whatever is fine because it is Art” is a valid statement. However, please be aware that their “whatever” is already limited by someone’s convenience. So, they are choosing “whatever they can choose” and calling it “Art”… and resulting in changing the culture. Keep learning so that you can expand “whatever” – it is what I tell my students. Whatever is good when you “can do / know” what I am sharing. 

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Unfortunately, today’s Sashiko in English is missing the most delicious part. It doesn’t make me so angry, just sad. Some are eating “Pizza without Cheese” and calling it a delicious pizza. Before saying whatever is fine, the “whatever” unfortunately doesn’t include the cheese. Yes, you can add “whatever toppings” on pizza, but I want you to enjoy the rich greasy cheese. Once you know the taste of cheese, then let’s go find what is the best cheese for your pizza.

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What they know about the foreign culture is already limited when common sense & language are different. I am not limiting anyone. I am just saying I do not want you to give up on something important by trusting the convenient route. Don’t trust “whatever”: please find YOUR “whatever”.

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素敵なワークショップの時間を過ごせました。変わらず写真はございません（笑）こればっかりは写真撮影用のスタッフを雇えるようになるまでは無理ですね。ただ雇う予定はないのでワークショップ中の写真は貴重なものになりそうです。いろいろ言われるSNSですが、受講頂ければ必ず「あぁそうなのか」と言われるものを作れています。運針会でもそれをお伝えしますね。

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