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It is a great honor to be part of MQG (@themqg) again.I am very excited to share that I will be coming back to Quiltcon 2022. I had such a blast in 2020 sharing what we practice with Modern Quilting Lovers. In 2022, I will be offering the same Sashiko Workshop (Core & Basic), and one applied version (Applied & Practice). I stopped using the word “Advanced” because learning the core & basic is the most important process – there isn’t much about getting advanced, but there are many practices we can apply the core & essence I shared in the first workshop. Therefore, the one “Applied & Practice” has a prerequisite of “Core & Basic” from QuiltCon 2020 or other similar workshops such as my Online Sashiko Class.

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I hope & I will do my best to bring the same contents to the MQG again. I hope to meet you if I haven’t met you. I am looking forward to seeing you (those who I have met in 2020). 

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*Believe it or not, in-person, outside of the classroom, I am very shy… Please say hello to me if you find me in Phoenix & QuiltCon 2022.

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2020年に引き続き、来年の2022年もモダンキルトの祭典（キルトコン）に講師としてお声がけを頂きました。「刺し子」という一点だけで、これほどに大きなイベントに呼んで頂けること。本当に有り難いお話です。2020年の評判が良かったとかで、ほっとしつつ、今回も気を引き締めて楽しんで頂けるように、刺し子の運針をお伝えしてきます。大切なものを、丁寧にお伝えできるように。

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#Themqg #quiltcon2022 #Sashiko #SashikoClass #SashikoStitching #刺し子 #キルトコン

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I didn’t know the word “Emotional Pain” until I moved to the US. Of course, we have a similar way to describe it in Japanese, I cannot think of the exact word to imply “Emotional Pain” as English word does (It requires some description to explain it). Similarly, many Japanese words I introduce here (such as “Ibasho”) require additional description to explain the whole. When I can exactly translate the word from JP to EN, I wouldn’t introduce the Japanese word.

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Emotional Pain is as suffering as Physical Pain. It exists. We just cannot see the actual bleeding.I would never understand your pain as you will probably not understand my pain. It is okay. I am not here to “convince” you that you are okay. I am here, with as less judgement as possible, sharing why it hurts so much when people intentionally filter the culture while ignoring the voice.

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I have a strong belief. “We can survive in the worst harsh situation when we have warm food & 1% of laughing, and “a place” to be (even temporary). This place doesn’t have to be by physical location. More like a sense of belonging to. As I said, I cannot help you. I wish I could offer you warm food with my jokes in person. However, I can offer a place here. I would like to offer a place like here to share the Sashiko we practice. 

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「人は温かい食べ物と、ほんの少しの笑いがあれば、どんな苦しいことも乗り越えられる」「居場所が大切」というのは、座右の銘みないなもので、事ある毎に繰り返しています。昔は、食べること、布を手に入れることが大変でした。でも、食べる時は温かいものを食べ、居場所はあったんです。今は逆に飽食で、必要なものはほぼ手に入るけれど、食べるものは冷たく居場所がなかったりします。手仕事は、それを見直す機会をくれたりするんですよね。だから居場所……なんです。それを思い出すことができる居場所。

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#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #Ibasho #刺し子 #居場所

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Some of you may have realized it. Yesterday’s post, it is not only toward you but also to myself. The Internet caused the emotional pain I have never felt. However, it also created a place for me to be. No matter how bad I feel, I know you are here to read. I made it here again today, and so will I be here again to write another story. “a Place to be (Ibasho)” is one of the reasons I can continue this painful journey without return (in regular successful measures such as money or title). 

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Some may wonder, “Isn’t this account related to Sashiko”? Yes, it is. Their wonder explains how much they do not know about Sashiko. I believe the concept of “Ibasho” is more essential than how “beautiful” one can stitch in Sashiko. In Japan, in patriarchy, women served for the family. In such limited (emotional) resources, they probably shared the time in stitching here and there – a place for them to be. They learned Sashiko in a place (either family or community), and therefore, there is no such a thing as “Right or Wrong” in Sashiko. Did they ever want to be a Sashiko Artist? The majority didn’t think of going outside of the community. It was their honor to protect the “place to be”, and their pride to “keep improving” their stitches.

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It is my honor to offer the place for you to be, and my pride to keep “sharing” the Sashiko stories instead of “filtered information” to profit off from indifference in the place I would like to protect.

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昨日の動画投稿、日本語でも作ろうと思ったのですが、とんでもなく怪しい感じになったので躊躇しております（笑）。英語はそこら辺は楽です。もし英語に抵抗がなければ、最初の2段落だけでも読んで頂ければ幸いです。基本、フォロワーさんの数は気にしないのですが、昨日の投稿でごそっと減りました（笑）「刺し子に興味があるのに居場所の話しされても」という反応だと思いますが、「居場所」なくして刺し子は語れないんですよね。日本語だとずーっと居場所の話してますし。

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

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If you find me recently, you may see me as “stubborn, clinging-tradition, and conservative.” If you follow me for a while, you may find me as “acceptant and progressive”. I have to accept that I am stubborn, but please understand that I have determined what is important to share. I accept the change in Sashiko (tradition). However, in order to change, the original form/mindset should be acknowledged. We may wrap anything with seaweed and call it Sushi. But if you put “it” into the piece of bread… It is a sandwich! Learning is the way to be progressive. 

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Almost 15 years ago, I mixed Sashiko-ish patchwork & Denim. I received many criticisms from my artisans/senior-stitchers. However, that’s my box of imagination. My creativity limits me to go outside of the box. Therefore, I say, I am the past, and you (who cares for what Sashiko really is) are the future of Sashiko. 

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I am just asking the world to “learn”. At least, acknowledge it. I understand my voice can be noisy and uncomfortable. Without learning the tradition/origin, a change for profit & convenience will hurt someone. I brought up the question that English translation of Sashiko, “Little stabs”, may not be correct. That’s how insufficient it is in the discussion & learning of Sashiko. Please be creative & artistic, but also, please learn some Japanese do not consider Sashiko as the Art.

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昔、実家（に散らばってた布）で作った初期の刺し子デニムです。あの頃は変な目で見られてたなぁと（今でもかもしれないけれど）。移住して主夫になって、30kg弱太ったので、こんな細いデニムは入りません。だから初期ってわかるんですよね。でも、いつかもう一度履ける様になるんだ！

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#Sashiko #SashikoDenim #JapaneseBoro #SashikoStitching #刺し子 #刺し子デニム

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Sashiko and Animism. The article I wrote almost 4 years ago (!) still describes my point well. Shinto (Religion which originated in Japan) is not equal to Animism, but they share some similarities. Shinto is animistic at some level. In Japan, following Shinto, they believed in the existence of “spirit” in every matter. Since Shinto respect lineage, the spirit is often “something” related to the (family) line. Like, as a rough example, my father resides in my thimble (which I think he does not – his spirit resides in something that requires a long story). 

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Recycle, Repurpose, and Reuse is an important aspect of Sashiko. Being said, I hope my stories on all of my platforms together introduce what they believed in Sashiko more than “what to do (for the purpose)”. Ask a Japanese why they take good care of a material. The reply would be “just because”. “Mottainai” is a close word for this, but it also requires a long article to explain (it is available on Patreon).

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For me, a thimble is like a family. No matter what, they will support me. A needle is like a partner in stitching (to make a dialogue with fabric). Therefore, a pincushion is also important where my partner can rest well. There is no “the absolute answer” in Sashiko, but there are millions of stories there. I hope they become open minded instead of filtering the stories by focusing on “The (convenient) Answer”. 

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幼少期、刺し子は嫌だったのですが、なぜか鶴首針箱に惹かれてました。手持ちの写真はないのですが、ミニ箪笥の上に櫓みたいな針山があるもの。作業場には沢山あったのだけど、「自分専用」のはなくて。「針の本数を常に決めておく」と耳に残る言葉を聞いたのも鶴首針箱の横。好きな数字で良い。でも、始まりと終わりの針の数は揃うように……と。いつか米国に持ってこれるかなぁ。その時は麻の葉柄の針山を載っけようと思っています。

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

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In the post where I shared how badly I was (emotionally) bleeding, one said to me “All You Do is Complaining”. It is an example of stabbing with their good intention. It happens a lot. I just didn’t expect to be stabbed when I just got up from the pain in the sea of emotional blood. A core issue exists within this.

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In this commercialized society with a consumption mindset, I understand the “difficulties” to learn from what I am sharing. We are trained to expect that there is such a thing as “the answer”. This is a by-product of making the teaching as a product. In order to “sell” teaching, one has to offer the answer (I am NOT judging “teaching as a product”. Read the free article on Patreon first). I also sell “my answers” saying “this is my part of a whole Sashiko”.

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They need to get out of the “fantasy” that there is always “the answer”. Do they realize the answers they receive may be“filtered” for someone’s convenience? My answer is also filtered by my entire-life. Therefore, I share as many stories as possible around. Therefore, I will never call my Sashiko the “Genuine (Ultimate/True/Authentic) Sashiko”. I always say, “This is the beginning” at the end of my class.

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As I always say, I want you to find (define) your own Sashiko by learning what Sashiko really is(was). Many have done that. Some are in the process now. I hope more to join. The first step is to uninstall the expectation of “You Teach Me so I will have the answer”. I work hard to be a good teacher. However, I do not plan to be a good salesperson to sell you the “teaching”. There is no such a thing as “the answer”. All there is “stories” and “people”. It includes my life both joy and pain. I believe I am sharing what Sashiko really is (for us) here and on other platforms. If they think “All He Does is Complaining”, then they need to face their issue first. 

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日本語だけ読むと刺し子感が薄いこのアカウント。一晩考えてみたのですが、やっぱり同じプラットフォーム内で完結するのが一番だと思うので、昨日ご紹介したノートと並行して @sashiko_dad の刺し子投稿を増やす予定です。ここでもずーっと日本語は書き続けるので、長い目で応援頂けたら嬉しいです！文字数制限がなければ、両言語ここで良いんですけどね……。

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#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #刺し子

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I appreciate all of your supportive comments. I do acknowledge there is a (silent) audience in front of me, and without you (them), I would have stopped sharing stories so long ago. I know you are there – therefore, I am here. However, unfortunately, the pain cannot be determined by the majority decision. I understand that I need to ignore the “ignorance” to keep my sanity – yet, my message is to care (not ignore)… so I still cannot give up on who we really are no matter how badly I get hurt. Is it too idealistic to believe that, one day, “they” will try to learn from the origin rather than someone who gives them a quick answer?

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My message is simple. “Please learn what Sashiko is instead of cherry-picking the adjusted Sashiko filtered by non-Japanese (experts).” I am NOT denying them. I am just saying what they teach is not enough to describe the whole picture. In this big trend of Sashiko, this simple message of mine can make a lot of enemies. My friends were right – it is too late to share what Sashiko is “without pain”. 

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I know you are there, and I am very grateful for that. However, again unfortunately, my pain continues until this trend ends and “superficial Sashiko experts” move onto something else. I am here with dignity as a Japanese – Sashiko is more than their trend. I may be a Samurai serving Sashiko… (another reason I suffered in Sashiko, but a different story). Even one person can bring pain, but I will keep speaking up as long as there is one person who wishes to listen.

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振り返ると、このアカウント、日本語だけだと刺し子のアカウントじゃないなぁ……と思うのです（笑）とはいえ、今から気楽な刺し子紹介のアカウントにするつもりもなく。とはいえ、日本の皆様には気楽に刺し子を楽しんで頂きたく（元々はそこからスタートしてるので）。どうしたら良いか少し考えます。ここまで自分を曝け出すとなると、「淳という人間」を理解して頂きたいという気持ちも出てくるので、刺し子とは関係あるけれど少し距離を置いた所を文章にするようにします。長くなるのでNoteで（https://note.com/atsushijp）。刺し子を楽しむだけのアカウントかぁ……。

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I am not strong at all. I try to be strong, but I am not. There is only so much that I can carry on.

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I feel the pain almost everyday. This is the pain of someone repainting who I am (what I grew-up with). Those who stab me with a smile tell me it isn’t so painful. I want to be a Story-Teller in Sashiko & Japanese Culture. I try to be as “objective” as possible. However, I am a human – with emotion. I am not strong at all.

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Last 6 days, as I learned more about what is going on in this trend, I really realized where I stand now. I couldn’t stand up. I couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t eat. I didn’t realize how much (emotional) blood I was bleeding. 

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I welcome anyone to enjoy Sashiko. I really want you to enjoy it. “Freedom of choice and Art” is a valid concept. I respect that. However, please know that one’s “joy” may be someone’s pain. Please don’t justify yourself with your own value – especially if you are in a privileged group. What you think is “right” with complete innocence may be stabbing someone’s heart. Sashiko isn’t someone’s “trend”.

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よく2年間も毎日の投稿続けてきたなぁと振り返った所で、壊れました。ご心配頂いていた方からは「”少し休みます”って言ってから休みなよ」ってアドバイス頂いていて、「休まないもん！」って意地を張った所でポキっと折れました（笑）

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壊れたと書きましたが、元々壊れているので、ヒビが大きくなった程度にご理解頂ければ幸いです。水はまだ入ったままなので、これ以上ヒビが大きくならないようにエポキシ剤で丁寧に修復しながら前に進みます。

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#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #Asanoha #刺し子

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I had shared some of my understanding about the relationship between language & culture. My message is clear – if one teaches about the cultural topic (here, Sashiko), then don’t the teachers have to be fluent in that language spoken there? I received many types of reactions, from agreement to accusation to me for being arrogant (?). I am NOT saying they have to be fluent in Japanese to enjoy Sashiko – or even teach Sashiko as a part of their teaching of general art. However, if one makes money by representing themselves as an expert in “Sashiko”, then… is it too much to expect them to be fluent in Japanese? 

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I wanted to share the pain from this. While I was brainstorming, I read an Instagram post by Daki (@woolandtheforest) thanks to Ainur (@mamasteddybear) – talking about a phrase of “Our Language as a Protection (to Our Culture)”. This is a summary of my pain – the protection violently broken by other languages. I wrote a long article on Patreon about what it means to me. With a big appreciation to Daki & Ainur, I made the article available to the public for a period of time. I hope you will find mindful time to read my story & follow Daki & Ainur for their perspective (pain) in this matter. 

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またとんでもなく長い文章を書きました。全部英語ですが公開記事です。乱文乱筆ですが、一読頂けたら嬉しいです。日本語でも書きたいことは山程なのですが、どうも「お金を頂いてご支援頂いている英語圏（Patreon）」での文章に比重が向いてしまいます。責任も感じるし。でも日本語も蔑ろにしたい訳じゃないんですよね。文章…好きなだけに時間がかかってしまうのです。ちなみに今回のテーマは「文化を守る役割としての言語」です。

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#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #Boro #JapaneseBoro #OurLanguageasaProtection #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子

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I am happy to have “Japanese” as my native language. I am fortunate to keep learning English as my second language. However, in my journey, “Language” is not a purpose (goal). It is a means (method & way) to achieve my goal – to pass down the Sashiko I have received. Therefore, it is important for me to talk about the difference between English & Japanese – to share what Sashiko really is for us.

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I share it on Patreon, but one interesting difference. In most cases, proper English sentences require the “subject” such as “We” and “You”. It is important to identify who says what in English – to clarify the responsibility of its logic. In contrast, in Japanese, we often omit the “subject” especially when we all know who is “speaking”. For example, in English, when a person ask “What are you doing?”, they answer, “I am doing ◯◯”. They need “you” and “I”. In Japanese, it will be “what *(are you) doing?”, then “(I am ) doing ◯◯”. It happens because it is obvious “who” is doing it.

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I believe “individualism” and “collectivism” exist behind this difference. So, cultural aspects hugely influence the language, and the language also hugely impacts cultural practice. I am not saying everyone needs to master the Japanese for their Sashiko. However, it is not acceptable to pretend to be an expert & teach Sashiko without the proper understanding of the Japanese Language. Sashiko is hugely influenced by Japanese culture & its (non-verbal) language.

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ここ数日、言語についてたくさん考え文章にしています。昔の試験を思い出しながら、受験国語では文章を読み主語を判定するのが問題になる一方で、英語では代名詞が何を指すかが問いになる。これって、凄い違いだと思うんですよね。文化と言語にはやっぱり関係性はあるよなぁと。

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