April 06, 2021 at 09:45AM

18 Sashiko artisans contributed their piece to make this one beautiful Jacket. I say, “All different, All Good”. There is no such a thing as “Absolute Answer” in Sashiko. However, when we learn the specific posture, the Sashiko result can be unified without discomfort. They are all different, but somewhat similar. 

The jacket explains the beauty of these differences & possibility of unifying. This is what Sashiko, and hand-stitching can do. I am very fortunate to have 18 artisans & proud of what we could do to Sashiko culture.

(As of now, I wrote a series of blog articles introducing the 18 Sashiko artisans each piece, and the rough process of making the Jacket. I will try to translate the series little by little.)

刺し子において絶対的な正解はなく、真剣に「みんな違って、みんな良い」と思っています。同時に、同様の運針をした刺し子の場合、「みんな違うのだけど、何かが似てる」という面白さもあります。「人それぞれの針目は違う」という結果を、同じ柄&同じ糸で刺し子をして下さった17名の方々の刺し子で楽しみ、「何かが似ている」という類似点を、その違う刺し子を恵子さん入れて18名の刺し子で統一する……という作品が完成しました。刺し子をお願いした方々が運針会にご参加頂いた方なので、「運針会ジャケット(20)」と名付けています。

18名の刺し子が一つの作品になっているとは、言われない限りわからないかもしれません。拡大してみないと、継ぎ接ぎの部分が見えないほどの一体化しています。それでも、一枚一枚を取り出してみると、確かに「違う」んです。針目に個性があり、また一つの作品としても個性がある。刺し子って、手仕事って奥深いな……と。用即美の民藝運動の中の定義に、「匿名性」というのがあります。民藝は無名な民衆が作った最高芸術だ……と。畏れ多いことではあるのですが、少しは近づけたんじゃないかな……と嬉しく思っています。他にも沢山の方々の力を借りて作品を作ってきました。展示会。2022年になるかもだけど、企画します!

ブログはこちらから。
https://ift.tt/3uoGnUY

#Sashiko #Asanoha #Sakura #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoJacket #Handmade #Unshin #NoragiJacket #刺し子 #運針会 #桜


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April 06, 2021 at 09:45AM

18 Sashiko artisans contributed their piece to make this one beautiful Jacket. I say, “All different, All Good”. There is no such a thing as “Absolute Answer” in Sashiko. However, when we learn the specific posture, the Sashiko result can be unified without discomfort. They are all different, but somewhat similar. 

The jacket explains the beauty of these differences & possibility of unifying. This is what Sashiko, and hand-stitching can do. I am very fortunate to have 18 artisans & proud of what we could do to Sashiko culture.

(As of now, I wrote a series of blog articles introducing the 18 Sashiko artisans each piece, and the rough process of making the Jacket. I will try to translate the series little by little.)

刺し子において絶対的な正解はなく、真剣に「みんな違って、みんな良い」と思っています。同時に、同様の運針をした刺し子の場合、「みんな違うのだけど、何かが似てる」という面白さもあります。「人それぞれの針目は違う」という結果を、同じ柄&同じ糸で刺し子をして下さった17名の方々の刺し子で楽しみ、「何かが似ている」という類似点を、その違う刺し子を恵子さん入れて18名の刺し子で統一する……という作品が完成しました。刺し子をお願いした方々が運針会にご参加頂いた方なので、「運針会ジャケット(20)」と名付けています。

18名の刺し子が一つの作品になっているとは、言われない限りわからないかもしれません。拡大してみないと、継ぎ接ぎの部分が見えないほどの一体化しています。それでも、一枚一枚を取り出してみると、確かに「違う」んです。針目に個性があり、また一つの作品としても個性がある。刺し子って、手仕事って奥深いな……と。用即美の民藝運動の中の定義に、「匿名性」というのがあります。民藝は無名な民衆が作った最高芸術だ……と。畏れ多いことではあるのですが、少しは近づけたんじゃないかな……と嬉しく思っています。他にも沢山の方々の力を借りて作品を作ってきました。展示会。2022年になるかもだけど、企画します!

ブログはこちらから。
https://ift.tt/3uoGnUY

#Sashiko #Asanoha #Sakura #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoJacket #Handmade #Unshin #NoragiJacket #刺し子 #運針会 #桜


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April 05, 2021 at 12:21PM

A long time ago, when I started sharing my stories, I received several worries. “You may make enemies (even if you do not mean it) by being direct”. Yes, I am aware of the risk of having “enemy”. Although I do consider nobody an enemy, I realize what I say/write may end up making them my enemy. I would like to “be liked”, of course. However, “being liked” isn’t the priority in this account. Protecting my own culture by sharing stories is the priority.

What I do is a very non-Japanese thing to do – to say something direct & (somewhat) confronting. I think I can say/write what the readers want to hear/listen. At least, I kept silent completely. However, the reality that “one may become an enemy by saying something honest” is already the result of some distortion.

I am not here to change you. I am here to share the stories so that you can choose to learn & change. Not knowing is okay, but hurting people without knowing is just sad (for both sides). Therefore, I share. It is up to them to learn, or consider me as an enemy. I feel “responsible” to share the stories because I am saying the current information is insufficient. However, I do not own any explanation for what I say/write. Often (not always), the truth isn’t spoon-fed. We need to “find” it. The information someone may bring to your month is modified based on someone’s convenience. I will spoon-feed them when I receive the support (Webstore, Class, Youtube, and such) – that’s my work to keep Sashiko sustainable. However, wouldn’t you feel strange if someone spoon-feed you with no cost…? (I wouldn’t swallow that). I am not a master of Sashiko. I am still learning what it is – and how I can share in other languages.

英語で刺し子を紹介する時に、「刺し子は◯◯(だけ)ではない」という表現をしています。例えば、「刺し子は補修だけではない」と。常に答えが正義となる西洋文化では、「では、刺し子は何なんだ?」と半ギレされることも増えてきました。英語では簡単に定義できないから苦しんでるんですけどね。日本語だと簡単です。「刺し子は味噌汁(みたいなもの)です」。多くの日本の方が、「あぁ、刺し子は味噌汁か」と理解してくれるのが「前提」の力です。日本語学んでって言うと逆ギレするし、答えを提示しないと苛々するし、どないせーっちゅうねん(笑)

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


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April 04, 2021 at 01:00PM

Stitches carry a lot of memories. We sometimes call it “spirit”, “feelings”, or even “identity”. I believe it is the same for many people, including you. You may have something associated with your memory & identity made by hands. Interestingly, what I had received had a name “Sashiko”, and it became the “trend” with filtering to their convenience. So, I am not overreacting to protect it. I used to minimize my feelings, but not any longer.

By asking for quick answers & definitions, they need to simplify the matter. When they share the same “common sense” to the original culture, this simplification won’t be a big problem – because we mutually understand the long list of definitions to define the word. Please do not simplify someone’s culture with a lot of memories… and more importantly, with spirits. It can be degrading as you can imagine yourself in the same shoe with different topics.

Sashiko carries the memories. I am asking many Japanese artisans to help me to make the “identities” visual. All stitch the same pattern with the same posture, yet they are all different. However, they are similar enough to be the “one”. I will introduce the power of hand-stitching (First on Patreon).

4月15日の高山祭りの前に桜が咲くのは珍しくて。それでも、その珍しい桜に間に合わせるかのように、一つの作品ができあがってきました。桃色の麻の葉柄を中心としたジャケット……なのに、なぜか桜を感じさせる作品。運針会でご縁を頂いた、18名の刺し子を楽しむ皆様にご協力頂いて、恵子さんの全精力を注ぎ込んで一つの作品となりました。

18名の方々の日常を乗せた針目。日常を切り取らせて頂いた刺し子。一枚ずつの写真だと違いを楽しむことができ、こうして一つの作品とすると一体感が出る。刺し子の奥深さを感じる作品です。ブログにまとめています。その際に全体像を紹介できたら。コロナ禍が収まったら、どこかで展示会ができますように。

#Sashiko #Asanoha #Sakura #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoJacket #Handmade #Unshin #NoragiJacket #刺し子 #運針会 #桜


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April 03, 2021 at 11:24AM

Sashiko is a “form/practice/culture of hand-stitching” developed in Japan. Yes, the “technique” and “patterns” are very inspiring & important to learn. However, what I want to share is “MORE” than just how Sashiko looks. What I would like to share includes, but not limited to, tradition, custom, rituals, belief, philosophy, spirituality, and the ordinary of the Japanese people who practice(d) Sashiko. Without explaining them, the culture may be twisted by someone’s convenience – and may be for their profit.

I am very lucky to marry a beautiful person with several heritage (Born in USSR, moved to Israel). We have a daughter who is American. Every single day, I learn something new. Ever since I immigrated to the US, I respect this country. Therefore, I “share”. I am NOT judging, criticizing, attacking nor excluding those non-Japanese who enjoy Sashiko. I am simply asking to learn the difference. In the past, there weren’t any resources. Now, I share the resource. 

The Japanese culture (& its practice) is very unique to non-Japanese culture. The Japanese who live in Japan do not realize the uniqueness so often. However, well therefore, there is a lot of wisdom that I can share. I hope what I share will be some help to your ordinary days. Learning Sashiko is “more” than making beautiful stitches. (If a goal is to have perfect even stitches with beautiful patterns, a machine can do that. And there is nothing wrong with the machine).

ここ数日、寝ても覚めても「貧しさと日本人」というキーワードでずーっと頭が高速回転しています。清貧という言葉があるように、「無理に富を求めず、正しい行いをして貧しい生活を送ること」という美学が日本人にあります。ただ、これには前提があって、二元論で物事を考えない日本人的だからこその美学だったりします。清貧を二元論の社会に持ち込むと、「では金儲けは汚いことだ」となってしまう。清く富むことも、清く貧しくなることも受け入れてきたんだろうとも思うのです(勿論、二元論で完結する社会もあったとは思いますが)。

考え続けると、刺し子を英語で伝えることは即ち日本的美学の紹介でもあるんだろうと思うのです。逆に言うと、その美学を伝えることができなければ、僕達が思う刺し子の全体像は英語圏では広まらないのではと思うほどに。あれ?とても壮大な事に挑戦しようとしてますかね。

#Sashiko #Hitomezashi #JapaneseSashiko #JapaneseCulture #刺し子 #一目刺し


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April 02, 2021 at 01:14PM

“The Japanese practiced Sashiko to survive through the harsh conditions with limited resources” is a true statement. I used to use the word “poor” and “poverty” instead of “harsh conditions” and “limited resources”. The more I learn about the English definition, I need to replace these words. After all Sashiko is NOT a hand-stitching culture in poverty (with understanding the definition of poor & poverty). It wouldn’t happen in Japan in the Japanese language. I am still learning how to introduce our culture in different languages. So interesting, and so delicate to handle (otherwise, it may be broken).  

[Poverty = the state of being extremely poor] / [Poor = “worse than is usual, expected, or desirable; of a low or inferior standard or quality” or “lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society”]. These definitions are not what I wanted to introduce. 

続ければ続けるほど、知れば知るほど、「まだまだ勉強が足らない」と学びを深めています。論語の孔子でも、哲学のソクラテスでも、「知らないということを知る大切さ」を説いているわけですが、学びとは終わりがないものなんだなぁと深く感じています。昔の方が、刺し子に関しては楽に文章にしていたんですよね。それだけ知らなかったということなんでしょうけれど。

「貧しい=不幸」という関係図は日本語では成り立つでしょうか?豊かであれば、確かに不幸を避けられる事はあるでしょうが、だからといって貧しいから即ち不幸かというと、やっぱり違うと思っています。また、貧しさと人間性にも相関関係がないのが日本文化です。(寧ろ貧しさに正しさを求めるくらいなのかな)。これが、日本を飛び出て、言語が変わると、違うニュアンスが出てくるんだという事を学んでいます。

「刺し子は貧しかった日本人の手仕事」は、歴史的に見ても真実だと思います。ただ、これをそのまま英訳にすると、様々な誤解が出てくる。それは「前提」が違うから。そんな感じの話を今日の刺し子配信でお話しました。深く掘り下げていきますね。

#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #JapaneseBoro #SashikoStory #Boro #SashikoDefinition #日本の刺し子 #刺し子 #襤褸 #ぼろ


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April 01, 2021 at 10:16AM

“All different and All Good”. I believe the Sashiko (especially done by Unshin without focusing on the result) represent the stitcher themselves. As there is no “right and wrong” in humans, (I believe there are no “wrong” humans as who we are), there is no such thing as “Right and Wrong” in Sashiko. If you find a rule in Sashiko, it is either a (big) local tradition or a filter to make “it” easy. The essence of Sashiko exists in the ordinary. It is nonsense to define “Right and Wrong”.

It is easy to say “All different and All Good”. However, it is very challenging to make it visual. One project we try to visualize our belief is this “Jacket made by people who learn Unshin”. The 2nd project started in 2020. Keiko is about to complete the project. I will explain the whole picture when it is ready, but I just wanted to share how “beautiful” it can be – “All different and All Good”. However, it doesn’t mean “whatever is good”. Without learning the form (Kata), one cannot be different.

毎日、英語で刺し子について思いを纏めていますが、日本語だとすんなり刺し子について纏める事ができます。それはきっと、当たり前という前提を共有して、その前提の中でずーっと考えてきたからです。刺し子は単なる針仕事です。それ以上でも、それ以下でもありません。ただ、単純だからこそ、針目は「その人となり」を表すと思っています。そして、その「人となり」には正解も間違いもありません。僕達人間に正解も間違いも無いように、針目も「みんな違ってみんな良い」と思っています。

「みんな違うけど、みんな良い」。言うのは簡単。目に見える形にするのは大変。ただ、同じ運針を学んで下さった方であれば、形にするハードルは少し下がるのではないか……と思い、毎年形にできるように試みているのが、「運針会ジャケット」です。2020年に開始したプロジェクト。一つの形になったようです。全体像の写真はまだなのですが、とてもとても嬉しくて文章にしてみました。ずーっと続けたい大切なプロジェクトです。

#Sashiko #Asanoha #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoJacket #Handmade #Unshin #NoragiJacket #刺し子 #刺し子運針会仲間


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March 31, 2021 at 10:38AM

Some criticize me for playing the victim (crying for attention). Umm. “I don’t know” is my honest reaction. I had always been “privileged” in my life. It is my first time to “speak up” as a minority. I need to learn what is the line between “speaking up” and “playing the victim”.

Being a man in Japanese society is a huge “privilege”. It is unfortunate, but Japan is a Male-dominated society. We even have a word for that. So, I am privileged. My mother is not privileged for this matter. Also, being a Japanese itself is a privilege in comparison to the other minority groups in Japan. I cannot talk on behalf of the minorities because I haven’t experienced their pain. However, now, I acknowledge it, and learn how to imagine their pain. I never will minimize their voice.

It is uncomfortable to listen to someone saying “You are privileged”. I didn’t choose to be a man. It is not me who wanted to be “privileged”. However, I do benefit by being privileged. Therefore, I learn to listen – and more importantly – “imagine (the pain)” instead of saying “it is what it is”.

In Sashiko, unfortunately, the information available in English is not enough (not wrong). The discussions on “Sashiko/Boro” are filtered – both questions & answers – by many trying to share their “definition” on Sashiko & Boro that they learned from the 2nd source. Unlike Zen introduced by legend “D. T. Suzuki” who wrote (not translated) based on his 1st source, Sashiko/Boro is not discussed with 1st source much. For that matter, Sashiko/Boro is filtered by privilege(English). I am NOT saying privileged people need to shut up. I am asking them to acknowledge the privilege they have – because They Are The One Who Can Change “It Is What It Is”. Please. You are the one who can change. 

「刺し子、興味があるのだけど、ハマりそうで怖い」というお言葉。回り回って、「ごめんなさい」としか言いようがないです(笑)刺し子(運針)は時食い虫なので、確かに忙しい日々と刺し子の相性は格別です。忙しい中に刺し子をぶち込むのは、なかなかに難易度が高いです(僕もうまくできてない)。でも、まぁ、ほら、僕は常に背中を支える場所にいるので、興味があれば是非、運針を学んで見てほしいです。

#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoStitching #CulturalAppropriation #SashikoStory #Unshin #日本の刺し子 #刺し子 #運針


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March 30, 2021 at 10:29AM

“Cultural Appropriation” explained the pain & sorrow I felt when I saw someone introduce Sashiko with their own filtered information & minimizing the stories. This “filtering” often (not always) is caused by the privileged people, and therefore, some people misunderstand my message that I am trying to exclude all the “privileged” people. I am NOT. I am just asking you to learn Sashiko so that no one will change the culture “for their convenience”.

“Filtering” can happen within the people in the same culture. It is unrealistic to believe ALL Japanese artisans are at the same level of understanding, nor share the same value. Although it is rare to find a Japanese artisan who “insists” on the legitimacy of doing “Correct Sashiko”, I may come across similar experiences even among Japanese people. However, I am not worried about it much. I say, “Sashiko done by Japanese are all valid”. Can you guess why?

As long as one understands the Japanese language, there are enough Japanese people & documents they can reach when they continue Sashiko. If they do not continue, they will not “change” the culture. How about those in other languages besides the Japanese? Since not many Sashiko practitioners understand other languages, the person who “interprets (translate)” the Sashiko will create the “new Normal” in each language – which the others cannot even doubt since they do not understand the original Japanese language. Isn’t it scary? Therefore, I share the stories. Unfortunately, audiences without Japanese language trust the 2nd source written in their language as if it is the “whole story”. 

That’s the “change” I am afraid of, and if one makes a profit over the people in origin, then it is a form of C/A (Privileged people getting wealth over sacrificing the culture’s essence is the damage from C/A here).

「刺し子、ダサい……」。”ダサい”そのものが死語になる現代。僕が育った日本と今の日本は違うんでしょうが、「刺し子=野暮ったい」というのは、まぁそうだろうなと思った訳です。僕自身、そう思ってましたし(笑)華やかな花ふきんと刺し子の組み合わせは、やっぱり素敵です。でも、同時に、野暮ったい刺し子も残したい。でも、”ダサい”のは残らない。その答えが恵子さんの作品だったりします。一つ間違えると野暮ったくなる刺し子を、「着る芸術」にまで昇華させる。まだまだできることは沢山あるはずで。

#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #CulturalAppropriation #SashikoStory #日本の刺し子 #刺し子


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March 29, 2021 at 09:39AM

The “Thread” matters in Sashiko. There are stories we call it “Sashiko Thread”, and there are reasons why we keep using the specific “Sashiko Thread”. You can find the details on our Youtube & Website, and here is a “process” of thread being a part of fabric. It is very rare to have this kind of example because the fabric today is not designed to last so long. This Sashiko is more than 12 years old, and finally it is becoming a part of Fabric.

“Cloth & Fabric” is a form of culture. It exists everywhere the human resides. The priority (concepts) changes. Now, “how it looks” is more important than “how long it can last”. Both are very important cultural aspects. We need to learn to appreciate “both”.

There is a reason why I do not insist on “slow-fashion & Sashiko” so much. They are very much related, and I probably should use it for the marketing purpose. However, the core for slow-fashion is NOT mending. It is supporting “traditional textile manufacture” who can make the fabric for the purpose of “last-long”. I do not want “it” to be a trend with filtering the facts by the privileged group of people (including myself). Therefore, I share to be mindful and caring. 

「刺し子糸はね〜、時間と共に布と一緒になっていくんだよ」。糸で作られた布に、糸を刺して通す。布は厚くなり、暖かくなり、そして丈夫になる。使い捨てが前提で作られた現代の衣文化では信じられないことが、当時は存在していたんだろうなと想いを馳せます。

「布と一緒になる」という表現は、言葉だけだと少し不思議です。糸は糸。布は布ですから。でも、本当に布と一緒になって”いく”んです。特別な撚りが時間の経過でゆっくりと戻っていく。でも、針目毎にその変化は区切られ、針目そのものが割れてしまうのではなく、ゆっくりと布の一部になっていく。現代では10年も20年も使い続ける布はなかなか存在しないので、どこかで良い例が無いかなぁと思っていたら、恵子さんが僕が日本に残したバッグを使ってくれていました。大槌刺し子に持っていったバッグなので、少なくとも10年以上前に作ったバッグです。針目、少し”緩く”なってませんか?使い続けると、一本一本の糸が布と一緒になっていくような感じで一層強くなります。(ただ、布自体も丁寧に織られている必要があるけれど)。こういう刺し子も残していきたいなぁと思うのです。

#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoStitching #SashikoStory #Mending #SlowFashion #日本の日常 #刺し子


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