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Why do you “mend” in a society we have a “choice” to replace? We can, technically, avoid mending throughout our life. In fact, it is cheaper to replace. Why do we mend then? I feel it is dangerous to see “mending in necessity” and “mending as a choice” as the same thing. So, I want you to think.

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For me, since I do not have to “mend” it, yet choose to mend, it is a process of adding stories on top of the stories the fabric (garment) has. In the process, I can talk to the stories that I had added before, or even the stories that “someone” added before. It is a conversation with the fabric, and it is indeed mending ourselves in this busy society.

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It is a very “kind” process. You do not have to “fake” to be nice to yourself. Mending is a process of being kind, yet being who we are. Therefore, it is so refreshing & meditative in today’s society. However… Well, therefore, since you are so kind to care for the mending & stories, please use the same imagination to the “words” as well. “Sashiko” and “Boro”. They are Japanese words. Reaching to the “understanding” of the foriegn words by reading books, articles, or watching the videos/webinars offered by non-native (here, non-Japanese) can be dangerous in its Cultural Issues. I, as a native Japanese who lives with Sashiko, don’t even know the whole picture yet. I don’t understand how others (non-Japanese) can reach to the full-understanding.

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You are kind to care for the fabric and garment. Please use the same imagination to the words you use. There are a lot more than you know in Sashiko & Boro if you aren’t fluent in Japanese language. I keep sharing what I mean with stories here.

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参加頂いている方の表情が見えない講演は、これほどまでにキツイのか……という、とても良い経験になったウェビナーでした。質疑応答においても、鋭い質問が飛び交って、改めて英語が第二言語だなぁと思った次第です。続けるしかないんでしょうけどね。日本語だと説明しなくていい前提から始めなければいけません。日本語で「ま、伝わるだろ」というのが通用しない。物語を話す役割を続けながら、「届ける」役目を担う必要があると思うのです。頑張ります。

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I receive many compliments on “what we can do” in Sashiko. Yes, it is important to protect the skill and technique in its tradition. However, it is NOT the skill and technique that I am trying to pass down. It is “more” than that: so called “culture”, and I will try to deliver “it” today in my first Webinar on my own platform (thanks to much support!). 

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Sashiko is a simple hand-stitching. A similar form of stitching exists(ed) everywhere in the world. One can master the “skill” in a matter of a few weeks. There aren’t so many “techniques” that require so many years to acquire: because Sashiko is the “ordinary” form of stitching. Since it is the “ordinary” form of stitching, categorizing Sashiko into something convenient for non-Japanese can result in repainting history, damaging the culture, and hurting someone. 

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If it was a matter of “skill” and “technique”, I wouldn’t need to share this amount of stories. A book or a series of workshops would be enough. I am NOT only sharing the technique or skill to do “Sashiko” like stitching. I am sharing my personal space (memory, experience, and wisdom) that consist of “Sashiko” on top of skill and technique. Why do I call it “Sashiko”? Because there are so many stories within one History.

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Webinar is on 9/10, starting at 9 pm EDT. No recording will be available, but I will do my best to offer the same one in another time zone. Due to capacity, a ticket is required: https://ift.tt/3Bk0nLR

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今週は配信ができませんでした……申し訳ない。口内炎と今日の英語での講演（？）開催の準備で、どうも口と心に余裕がなくて。口内炎も癒えてきたし、来週は運針会の報告も兼ねて配信しようと思っています！

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“Atsushi is a hardcore on keeping the faith…” I found a comment on SNS. I know the person who wrote this. They have been supportive of what I am doing. I knew it was a compliment, but I do not think that I am a hardcore. At least, I do not want to consider myself a hardcore.

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Behind the word of “hardcore”, which can be defined as “the most active, committed, or strict members of a group or movement”, there is a respect to my stories in a worrier way. I don’t compromise. I don’t butter them up. I don’t spoon feed anyone: Money or Fame will not buy my dignity out. For that, yes, I may be a warrior in Sashiko. The last Samurai to serve Sashiko. 

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I appreciate the compliment. However… I wish I didn’t have to be so hardcore. I feel something wrong if one has to be a worrier to protect their own culture: my own identity. I say, “(Since they do not understand Japanese), their understanding of Sashiko/Boro is insufficient”, and ask them to learn instead of spreading what is convenient for them to make money. They say it is their “choice”. One says “please stop hurting”. The others say “I don’t think it hurts. You are over-reacting”. Then when one speaks up in pain, the person becomes a worrier. 

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The compliment, “Atsushi is a hardcore” may be correct. However, I am sharing stories so that others after me do not have to be worriers to protect their own culture & identity. As I always say, if you wonder about “hurting” others in Sashiko/Boro, you are NOT. So Don’t Worry too much. There is another group who paint over “it” with their own individualism. They don’t read this because it is too true & uncomfortable for them. So, I keep sharing the stories one day the majority shifts and we do not have to the worrier. 

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昔は日本の「本音と建前」が苦手でした。それでも建前は言えるように努力したし、年齢を重ねる上で「なんだかんだで、みんな本音と建前がある前提で話をしている」という形式美的なものを感じるようになりました。同時に西洋の「直接的」に見えた関係に憧れた事もあります。なんて日本は面倒なんだろうって。米国に移住して思うのは、米国程、建前が必要な文化はないということ。力関係によって建前の必要性が変わってきます。そして、米国では「英語ができない」というのは、それだけで弱者になります。それが例え日本文化を扱う議論だとしても。だからこそ、なんですよね。僕の人生を懸けた挑戦です。

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We live in such a “busy” society. We always face “demands” and often, unfortunately, how we can efficiently react to the demands define success. So do I. I do not deny the society where I live, and where my daughter will live. All I do is to observe, appreciate, and share what I can do.

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We live in extremely busy days, yet you found Sashiko, hand-stitching. In order to stitch “fast”, you once need to slow down. So, while you are with Sashiko, I want you to be okay with being “slow”. No one is judging but yourself, and you can stop judging yourself when you are mindful about that. 

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I ask you (them) to read and listen to our story. Some say that they do not have enough time. Sure… we live in very busy days & we have priorities. However… then… Why Sashiko? I do not offer a quick answer & definition because it will “filter” the culture. Instead, I share as many stories as possible, day by day, so you do not need to invest your time into learning it. 5 minutes of your time each day, please read it mindfully. When you stitch, cook, wash the dishes, clean, whenever your ears are available, please listen to my Sashiko Live Streaming offered in your language. No one is asking you to do Sashiko. You found it, and it is probably something you needed, which you may probably not know yet 100%. Isn’t it exciting? My wife (White) once concluded our relationship saying, “I got it. If I do the complete opposite of what I should do, it is in your culture”. This is extreme, but better than assuming that Western mindset is the same as Japanese. It is not so dangerous to say their “normal/ordinary” is the “abnormal/extraordinary” in our culture: and vice versa. Therefore, I want you to learn what Sashiko is for the Japanese people, especially those who aren’t(weren’t) so much “westernized”.☆

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英語圏で少し意地が悪い質問を投げかける時があります。「なぜ刺し子なの？」と。刺し子を楽しむのに条件なんぞありません。どんな人でも楽しんで欲しいし、できればお友達になりたい。その上で、ふと、「なぜ刺し子なの？」と思うのです。流行ってるから？見た目？簡単そうな手芸だから？

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日本語ではこの質問はしません。全てが正解だから。「英語圏では間違いがあるの？」と思われるかもしれません。間違いはないのですが、足りてないことが多い。下手したら日本語だということすら知らない。足りてないことを全体像だと思い込んでしまうことが文化の塗り替えに繋がります。味噌汁には出汁は必要だってばよ。

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GIYF. Google is Your Friend. Come to think of it, 4 years ago, Google Search Result was my worst enemy. Now, after accumulation of all the emotional labor, Google is Your, and Our Friend. If you have any questions, just search it on Google by adding my name. For example, if you are a newbie and would like to know what Sashiko is, just Google it by typing “What is Sashiko” and “Atsushi”. You will find “my” answer there. If you cannot find the answer on Google (yet), then that question can be a good question for me. 

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There are so many “super nice” but “extremely rude” people out there. Since Sashiko is popular, some come to my account and just shoot some random questions and/or requests. I don’t know why they do not even read the first page of what they can find on Google before reaching out… but I find several similarities among them: They think they are doing a good thing to offer me an opportunity to share my expertise & knowledge (often for free). You may find it confusing because I am already sharing here… but they think they are entitled enough to give me a chance to speak about my own culture: If I say no, they “take it easy” and ignore my “advice” by saying “Oh, it doesn’t have to be you (or Japanese). There are many who are experts.” Niceness is suppressing the voice. That’s what I mean by Cultural “Filtration”. All of my Sashiko artisans were quite polite and expected others to be the same: mutual respect. 

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All the “Japanese Courtesy” I am asking is to read what I am sharing. Many claim they read what I wrote. I doubt it. They read what they thought was written to dismiss their uncomfortableness. That’s something I need to challenge, to pass down the culture. Questions are great. I am NOT your friend if I do not know you. Google is Your Friend (that being said, the GSR  is a dangerous place if one cannot identify the fake as “fake for someone’s profit”… which is another story). 

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最後に日本の地に足が着いてたのが2013年末。まじで信じられません。僕の記憶にある日本と、今の日本は違うんだろうなと思いつつも、でも大切な何かは変わらないままであって欲しいと願い続けている一人です。ご縁と運と決断が重なって移住しましたが、日本、大好きなんですよ。

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I am aware that I am taking risks. There are a lot easier ways to “expand Sashiko business” for money & fame. However, Sashiko is more than a (temporary) business to me. Therefore, I need to take risks to get chestnuts out of the fire… I just sometimes realize how bad the risk I am taking. Endless emotional labor. I know 99% of followers here do not cause anything emotionally exhausting… but unfortunately, as I often say, the labor is not a majority decision.

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Here is another extreme analogy. One visits a Japanese house. I ask them to take off their shoes. They say, “oh, in my house, we keep shoes on.” and expect “us” to work together to have “mutual” understanding. Do you see how culturally scary this analogy is? They are visiting a Japanese house, yet insisting it is a choice of “understanding”. A similar thing is happening in Sashiko.

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I would rather avoid conflict. I should ignore indifference. However, I speak up, because, in the worst case scenario, the world understands it is okay to keep shoes on in a Japanese house. Then, all the stories around the culture will be lost by the dominating group. I don’t like conflict. Everytime I reply knowing that the advice will make them extremely uncomfortable, my heart beats rapidly. I learn by experience. I know the pain will come: minimizing, undervaluing, victimizing and eventually receiving the criticism of being “You are arrogant”. Regardless of the pain, I need to do this: because they pick whatever they want, and change the culture unnaturally. If I were to visit a western culture, I would follow their “ordinary”. If they claim that they can introduce Sashiko/Boro, they need to learn & follow the Japanese courtesy… Please help me out with your kindness to wipe out the superficial niceness.

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白人女性と家族を持って、米国に移住して、刺し子を教えるようになって、勉強量が圧倒的に増えました。「針の使い方だけ教えれば良いんじゃね？」と無邪気に思っていた4年前。いつの間にか、あまりにも文化が切り取られすぎていて、刺し子と同じくらい社会学の情報発信をするようになりました。妻の専門が心理学ということもあって、日々読書です。今日の投稿もそんな感じ。また配信で愚痴らせて下さい。変化は良いんです。でも、大切なものは切り取られたくない。お味噌汁には絶対に必ずなにがなんでも、「出汁」は必要です。

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I teach Sashiko “stitching”, but I ask them to not focus on stitching. While many find Sashiko “extraordinary”, I advicate the importance of “ordinary”. My Class is about learning how to “use” the tools and supplies so that you do not have to control them… or to be controlled by them. 

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I understand the difficulty of “getting” what I am saying here. It sounds philosophical and abstract. However, without getting above, the understanding of Sashiko is insufficient. There are 2 ways to fully understand them: either one becomes suited in Japanese culture, or one actually practices Sashiko as we do: As Zen teaches, the true realization comes from practicing (experiencing) it, not by superficially “understanding” it. 

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Again, I understand the difficulty of doubting their knowledge. “Being Right and Valid” is one of the most important elements in Western Society. So, when I say, “Your understanding of Sashiko is insufficient”, they get upset and accuse me for telling them “the assumption about them”. It isn’t an assumption… because once they truly get it, they will know we can only get closer to the sufficient understanding. 

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Sashiko is NOT only about: Design, Pattern, Art, Beauty, Stitching, Techniques, Mending, Style, or Meditation. These segments aren’t wrong, but each are filtered vision by those who can “choose” (often privilege groups). Please keep learning: Once you complete my class, you will understand what I mean. I can bring you to the start-line to feel “what Sashiko really is”. If not ready to take class, please keep listening. I believe some got it by watching my Youtube videos. I also talk about it in the Sashiko Webinar next week as well. Sashiko is more than what they think they know.

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来週の日本時間9月11日の午前10時から一時間ほど、英語で「刺し子について」のウェビナーを開催する予定です。全編英語なのですが、もし詳細のページを英語で読んで疲れない程度の英語力があれば楽しんで頂けるかなと思ったりしています。Zoomでの開催なので、誰でもご参加頂けます。無料です（初めての方には”お気持ち”をお願いしていますが）。日本文化が当たり前の方のご感想も頂けたら嬉しいので、ご都合が合えばご参加頂けたら嬉しいです。詳細はストーリーのWebinarからご確認下さい！

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I don’t have any degree in Art, Sociology, Philosophy, or other related fields to talk about “Culture” of Japanese people. However, one true thing is that I am a Japanese person who had never left Japan until the age of 18. I believe I can share my personal experience & understanding of Japanese culture on top of Sashiko: which is strongly related to the Sashiko culture I would like to pass down.

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Let me know (via Insta-Story on 8/31) if you have a question related to “Japanese Culture and Sashiko”. I would like to understand what is going on. To be honest, in extreme situations, I don’t know what you don’t know. Therefore, I don’t know what to offer as a webinar series to fulfill something you do not know yet (what you want to know is based on what you know already… so I believe the first step is to bring us on the same page). Please do not send “How-To” questions. Please check Youtube Tutorials & consider Online Sashiko Class for the technical questions such as “How to do Sashiko”. 

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In preparing the webinar, my brain becomes like a fountain of ideas. However, I have to be careful in bringing everyone together: instead of me going out of control with what I would like to insist. I am not a Folklorist or a Historian. I just share the stories – not the folk-tales or documents we can find in history. They are just stories. They aren’t  so much “History” or “Tradition”. What I share is an on-going difference in culture, and therefore, it can fulfill something missing in todays’ Sashiko. 

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英語でウェビナーを開催することにしました（全編英語ですが無料なので良ければ登録下さい！）。頭をフル回転して準備している訳ですが、伝えたいことが止めどなく湧き出てくるのです。でも、興味を持って下さる方を置いてけぼりにする講演はしたくありません。まずは「前提を擦り合わせる」お話から始める必要があるのだと思います。

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英語では一層顕著ですが、これは日本語でも一緒です。もし、日本的な”何か”について、僕に質問があればストーリーからDM頂けると嬉しいです。専門家じゃないので答えは出せませんが個人的な思いはお伝えできると思うので。

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I talked about “being special (≈ individualism)” in the previous post. I appreciate feedback that “I (Atsushi)” is special because of what I share. To be honest, though, I do not consider myself special. I know it because I tried so hard to be “special” in the past.

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If you find me somehow “different” though, then it is because I reach the understanding of “who I am” in chaos. It is my sincere fortune to find whom I spend my time for, and what I would like to do. I can pretty much answer all of the “why” you may wonder. Why Sashiko? Why share stories everyday? Yes, of course, I wish to be someone else occasionally, but I find happiness residing right next to me thanks to this “why”.

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I am not special. I just decided to be honest. (If you argue that “being honest” is “special” in this society, then I have to admit that I am special). Since I have “answers” to “why”, I have important “things” that I want to protect, especially from those who ignore the fact arrogantly. We may call it “dignity”. I want them to respect Sashiko & Japanese culture, but I do not ask for their respect toward me, because I already have my own dignity. “Respect” is something to advocate, and “Dignity” is something given.

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You may wonder, again, what does this post do with Sashiko? The answers to “why” is formed in my Sashiko time: when & where I talk within instead of judging the result or even myself. Is this the Sashiko you can find in English books? I don’t think so. Therefore, filtration is indeed happening. It is sometimes necessary to perform “someone else” in life. However, please do not fake yourself… because I do not want you to lose who you really are. 

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刺し子と読書は相性が良い。刺し子しながら読書なんかできるかと思われるかもしれませんし、実際、本は読めないのですが、「読んだ本を刺しながら脳内で読み返す」ことはできるのです。刺し子が好きな理由の一つ。読書をしたちょっと昔の自分と、刺し子をしている今の自分の会話は、やっぱり楽しいし、また脳内の引き出しにも上手に収まります。自己完結する刺し子、是非試してみて下さい！

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Society asks you to be someone special. They say, “Find true-self within you”, and encourage you to be the “Only One” by doing something. They teach you how to be creative as if creativity clears your suffering. If “creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence (Quote from Osho)”, what they do is more like obedience (following) to the (social) system than being creative. 

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That being said… Why do you have to be special and creative? Since we think we can achieve happiness by being special and creative, we start “borrowing” something that “looks” unique: like the words Sashiko and Boro, without understanding the core of its practice. It is an illusion that one has to be special & creative to be happy, created by someone who benefits from it. They may think they are creative, but in fact, they are just following a path that “looks like” to be creating with destroying something that “looks like” special and creative. 

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Again, I ask. Why do you have to be special and creative more than who you really are? If you are willing to learn what Sashiko is, I welcome you to use the word Sashiko together. I don’t teach you to be more “creative”, but I share stories based on Japanese culture. Don’t use the word if your goal is just to be special & creative. You are trying to be “extraordinary” by using the culture of “appreciating to be in the ordinary”. 

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As I always say, happiness isn’t something you achieve, or win-over. It is something you realize. Don’t let others define what your happiness is… and more importantly who you are. At least, Sashiko can “teach” you (not me teaching you) how to be okay (appreciate) who you are. Acknowledge it, Learn more, then you will realize what you really want. Don’t let others decide what you want in your life.

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「特別な誰かになる為に”SASHIKO”を利用する」。会話の中で、ふと簡潔に纏まった今の英語圏での刺し子の現状です。真摯に刺し子と向き合って楽しんでいる人が沢山いる中で、英語圏では真となる情報が無いのを良いことに、より”売れる”為にSASHIKOを利用しているのが癪に障るんだとわかりました。日本語だと吃驚される程、刺し子に寛容なのにも説明がつく。やっぱりどこかで大学院を検討する必要があるかもしれないね。そんな根性あるかな……（笑）。

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