October 23, 2023 at 11:40AM

Another Analogy of what I am trying to say in Sashiko & Climbing Mountains. Thanks to @nathan_plavnick who reminded me of this analogy I once introduced in Japanese.

People who stand on top of a mountain rarely want to tell others coming up that there’s only one trail. They may show others the trails they enjoyed, but they are just excited that others also want to climb the mountain. Although I think I am standing in the middle of the mountain, I feel very similar to Sashiko. In Sashiko, unfortunately, the people who claim they stand at the top of the mountain tell newcomers which trails are the “answer” to climb up the mountains. There are no “right” trails to go up a mountain. There may be a level of challenge, risk and comfort… but It is one’s preference. Why do they define the right trail for others to follow? It is because the trail they define is convenient to them – there may be shops they own along the trails, and they will lose their money when the people decide to go other trails.

I share my own favorite trails to others because of many spots I enjoyed. I want you to taste the crystal clear water after the steep climb. I want you to find beautiful wild flowers on the way. Standing on the top of a mountain is one goal, but there are also beautiful places to stop by. Don’t get me wrong. I never say the other rails are wrong. They are probably good things there, too. I am just saying that it is so sad to not experience the clear water & beautiful flowers by following someone’s right trail, which you don’t know if they really are standing at the top of mountains either.

My teaching of Sashiko is just a beginning. If one claims to be an expert on the mountain, I want them to climb up many times with different routes. I am just a climber who enjoys the process of being on the top, who received training from those standing on the top.





昔に一度使った刺し子と登山を重ねた例え。今回は英語で書いてみました。日常の中の刺し子なので、こうやって例え話を持ち出すと、イメージだけでも掴んで貰えるのかなとは思っています。英語で書いた登山と刺し子の比喩話、配信で詳しくお話できたらと思っています。

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October 22, 2023 at 10:33AM

In 2014, Keiko & I stood up from the sad reality we experienced. In 2017, after the first invitation to teach in NYC & after being a stay at home father for 2+ years, we launched this “Sashiko Story”. As similar to other accounts, this account had single digit numbers followers. Now, we have this many – I share “honest“ stories while trying to be as “difficult” as possible to deliver the message. Therefore, some consider me an Angry person. Sometimes, I receive quite hateful saying/actions. However, as you can read (when you read several posts carefully), the accounts I have are full of my gratitude to you. I will not share any stories if this account brings us only despair. We share everything, yes “Everything” including technique & ideas, for anyone who wishes to learn Sashiko. I even say “Copy It” with no strings attached. It is Because we are hopeful for the future of Sashiko. Many unfollowed this account because they felt uncomfortable. However, I still have so many people who listen to us – we call it hope.

In 2016, when I uploaded Sashiko videos on Youtube for the first time, there weren’t so many videos about Sashiko on the Internet. Now, we can find quite many videos, and many use similar tools with similar movements I share – this is one outcome of “Sharing Everything”. Not many state the source of their learning, but I believe the impact on our videos are quite huge. Back in 2016, some friends who cared for me very much advised me not to share everything – as I would lose an important source of our future income. Well, maybe I lost it. However, I gained & am gaining more important things – 80K followers & (future) Sashiko Friends here who are the part of the hopeful Sashiko feature.

When I lost my father, my goal shifted to “preserve Sashiko” rather than “protect family“. I believe that’s what he tried to do, too. Thank you for being here – and I will never stop sharing as it is my life mission.





数人のフォロワーさんから始まった私等の物語も、8万もの方にご覧頂けるようになりました。日々のフォロワーの減り方も半端ないので(笑)、本気で刺し子を学ぼうとして下さっている方々が大多数なのだと思っています。全てを、技術も知識も含めて公開することで失くすものを心配してくださった方もいました。実際に失くしたものもあります。でも、素敵なご縁が刺し子の未来の礎であり、それ以外は瑣末なものなのですよ。有難いことです。(写真はそんな皆様との作品です)

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October 20, 2023 at 11:27PM

(Photo of the same piece from the previous post). As the disrespectful comment I received, [Atsushi isn’t well respected in Japan] includes our Sashiko Friends in Japan, I had a beautiful opportunity to talk about “me” and “what I do” in Sashiko with them. It was good to know how they think of me – I acquire their respect for me, and more importantly, they do NOT have blind faith in me. We are very balanced, and it is very important when we share the Culture. Our goal is to pass down the culture, not to make a cult.

This may be yet a strong statement: While I was talking to my Sashiko friends in Japan, I realized that I may be the very first Sashiko Artisan who can speak English without translation. I know Japanese people with (English) Language Proficiency start teaching Sashiko in their career, but not like they practiced Sashiko first, and then learned English later. For that, I have quite a unique background.

As Sashiko is deeply related to Japanese Culture, “the Translation” tends to be a process of simplification. How so? Because what we talk about Sashiko in Japanese is already someone’s interpretation of Sashiko & its practice. So when it is introduced in English, the piece of information you read is someone’s interpretation on the translation of a Japanese’s interpretation. Of course, it will be simplified. It is like a telephone game. Therefore, it is important to share “Stories” – not only the information. I am seeing how a piece of information transit – and one day, I want to explain that as well.





昨晩の配信、思いっきり話をすることができて、胸を撫で下ろしています。怒りを感じることも多いし、それがストレスになってしまうことも多々あるのですが、こうして「話せている間」はまず大丈夫だからです。これが話せなくなってしまうと気をつけなきゃいけない。

今の英語圏での刺し子は、「日本人が解釈した刺し子を、刺し子に親しみがないかもしれない翻訳のプロ(あるいは素人)が英語に翻訳し、それを再度解釈したもの」であると考えると、諸々の違和感に説明ができるなと思うのです。そういう意味では、「日本人が解釈した刺し子」を日本語と英語でそのままの形で発信していくことは、とても意味があることなんだろうなと思っています。これからも頑張りますー!

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October 19, 2023 at 09:03AM

As you enjoyed the previous analogy… Here is the following (Please read the previous post first).

Your family’s tradition has its own way to cut veggies to best match the Ranch dressing you make. It doesn’t mean, though, there is only one way to choose cut veggies. Dipping uncut carrots is also okay. The point is “how to enjoy Salad”. Where you immigrated, interestingly, there are “the rules” on how to cut the veggies. It has to be the thickness of an iphone. Sure, it is good to have rules, but you wonder which iPhone’s thickness?SE or 14 pro?

You have your own way to cut veggies. You can call it rules certainly. However, it isn’t something to force others who just wish to enjoy Salad. When they want to look for another way to enjoy Salad, then they can learn more from you. So, you say, “There is no right and wrong in Salad”. Also, you say, “The Salad you define is indeed Salad – but that’s not the all about Salad”. It is fine to love only One type of Salad. However, it is NOT okay to ignore other Salad, and to mislead people to focus on the Salad they define. You find it silly to comment on each rule you see, though. Sure, following the rules can be easy, but not in your style. Therefore, all you do is to set up a place where anyone can learn “other forms of Salad” from people who enjoy various salads. Over years, your voice gets bigger as many enjoy Ranch a lot. Some mention your name saying “His Ranch is awesome – it is from Ranch Artisans family”. You appreciate the new friends caring for the upstream of your Ranch — and then, you find a comment, “Oh, he (Ranch) isn’t well respected in his country” by someone who doesn’t speak your language.

I find it is NOT just negativity. It is a more fundamental cultural issue. No worries. I am okay. I keep speaking up as a Japanese person who loves Sashiko in Japan. Sashiko isn’t a solution for our social concerns as Salad itself won’t heal an illness. Sashiko will just make us healthy (and that’s good!).

また長っ。配信はYoutubeにて。金曜夜9:40頃開始です。リンクはプロフィールから。

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October 18, 2023 at 09:48AM

Please imagine a dish you often enjoy. It can be Pizza, Salad, wings, Soup… anything you often enjoy, or even feel tired of having as you have so often. Let’s say you eat “Salad” everyday. (I used mac & cheese in a BBC video, but here I use Salad). Your favorite dressing is Ranch with some croutons. You know other dressing & topping exists. You have your preference, but you also understand those who like Balsamic vinaigrette, Thousand Island, and even Blue Cheese. Let’s say you immigrated to another country which has a lot bigger power in language & economy. You find out that “Salad” there is something so special – and there is a correct answer in how to make & eat Salad – Only Chicken Caesar Salad is the definition of Salad to them. They seem to not know about other salad dressing, topping, and even what Vegetables they can put into Salad. So you say, in your experience, Ranch is the dressing for the Salad – and it isn’t something we should idolize that much. We can enjoy Salad as we wish. No answer to Salad – only preference & “wisdom” to enjoy more – some understand what you are saying. Others say “No, it has to be Ceasar Salad” to define it as Salad… umm. You find it quite strange.

This is an extreme analogy, but I feel like this analogy in Sashiko. One difference is that I was born in a Ranch Dressing Artisan’s Family – so I want to preserve the (secret) recipe of your favorite dressing. To preserve, I even make it non-secretive. Yet, it is just salad (stitching). Salad is healthy, yet it won’t resolve a headache for those who prefer to work more than sleep.

I just happened to be the first one who can speak out on behalf of many kinds of dressings in the powerful language. Therefore, my writing here in English is much longer than the one in Japanese. Therefore, I say, Sashiko introduced in English is Simplified & Romanticized… why? Because it is more convenient for “someone” to do so – if you want to sell Chicken Caesar Salad, you want to deny Ranch. So, I say, Enjoy Sashiko – only one favor though. Please acknowledge the stories from Japanese who actually stitch today.





めちゃ長くなったので詳細は配信で(久々)!

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October 17, 2023 at 11:03AM

As this account grows, I have experienced quite many painful comments from haters & trolls. Thanks to as many helps here, I am learning how to cope with them & I will never stop sharing the Sashiko Stories we carry. That being said, I am experiencing something different and painful now. For me, it is worse than the ignorant & hateful comments I received so far. I still cannot believe what I am reading – but I am trying my best to see what is happening. It is so bad that I do not want to put the image as the 1st one. So, if you are willing, please check the 2nd photo.

The comment on FB is not only disrespectful to me, but also very disrespectful to those who learn Sashiko from me, to those who support what I do. She isn’t Japanese, yet she is representing other Japanese? What kind of entitlement is that? It is a harassment to my identity, to my family, and the Sashiko friends I have now.

Well. Some may say, “Hey, Calm down. It is just one person’s opinion. Don’t Over-react”. I have been thinking about this without sleep as I feel there is something deeper than the slander. Finally, while writing what happened in Japanese, I realized why it is so bad – worse than just a Personal Attack (I mean P/A is already bad… but it is worse from a cultural perspective). I will explain more – so please wait for the link.

This happened on FB Group – Sashiko. Please respect other members as I respect the group itself & admin. Also, do not attack the member who started this thread. I respect others saying “What is Right and Wrong in Sashiko”, although My Story shares something different. That being said, I am very curious what she replies to the shout from my heart. Unbelievable.





先の投稿、勿体ぶった書き方をしてしまい申し訳ございませんでした。残念ながら嬉しい出来事ではありません。嬉しいニュースはBBC。マジで心苦しいニュースは中東関連。今回の一件は世界情勢から見れば米粒のような出来事ですが、個人的にはとんでもないことだったのです。何があったかは2枚目以降の画像をご覧下さい。画像は英語なので、日本語で全体像をまとめました。一晩中心に引っかかった「なぜこれがそんなに大事なことのか」も最終的には説明できたと思っています。大変だわ。でもこれを流すと、きっともっと大変なことになる。

NOTEへのリンクはこちらです。https://ift.tt/cWtFbDu

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October 16, 2023 at 08:49PM

Regardless of the language I use & where I live, what I do is very Japanese. Please don’t get me wrong. I am doing my best to adjust to my “daily” routine to be a father in America. However, when it comes to work & Sashiko, I am after all very Japanese. It is very comforting to work with someone who has good experience in Japan & with Japanese. For that, Aims-san from @indybindyfabrics has been a great pleasure to work with. Yes, it is kind of unusual, but it is my honor to be part of her event [Sew Inspired Summit⁣] on 21-22 October⁣. I will be joining the event as a lecture – elaborating all the messages I share here into a lecture style presentation, introducing what Sashiko/Boro is to us and how we can bridge the “appreciation ladder” between cultures. And… The event is free of charge for the weekend of 21 and 22nd. Wow!!

For more information, please follow Aims via @indybindyfabrics, and get registration links and such. The link is here [https://ift.tt/O19NEX0]. It is a bit honor to be a part of this beautiful community & in the line up of great instructors.

If you cannot make it this weekend, there is a way to enjoy all the contents afterwards. I will share the link to get the VIP pass on my STORY. I hope to see you there!

Photo (c) Alexander Trowbridge





久々の宣伝の投稿です。英語で日々仕事はしておりますが、やはり日本在住経験がある方というか、日本人の付き合い方に馴染みのある方とお仕事をするのは、とても楽で心地いいです。普段はこういったイベントに参加することはないのですが、とても気持ちよくやりとりをさせて頂いて、今週末にライブで講演会(レクチャー)をすることになりました。日本語で話していることの英語版にはなりますし、繰り返しの内容もあるかと思いますが、時間が合えば聞きに来て頂けると嬉しいです。何が凄いって、週末のイベントは「無料」なのです。すげーな。(週末に時間がないーという方は、終わった後も見られるVIPパスを購入できるようです)。

この投稿に書くか迷ったのですが、この裏でとんでもないことが起きました。少し様子を見てからご紹介しますが、多分これをここで紹介すると大変なことになるかもしれません。少なくとも私の妻は叫んでました(笑)週末の配信では必ずお話しできると思います。

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October 15, 2023 at 07:24AM

I hope you found the article on BBC about Sashiko & the video of me stitching & talking about Sashiko. The link is on my Story & Highlight as well. If you follow me for a long time, you may find something “strange” in the article as the message on the video & the article itself aren’t corresponding. (In short, I was interviewed for the video, but not for the article itself). This happens because of how the media function (in my understanding), and I respect the way they construct the article. I appreciate Alex & Natalia choosing me, and I enjoyed the article itself from another perspective.

When I receive an interview request, I often say that I am just a raw ingredient. It is them (writer/producer) to cook what I do & say to their audience. NPR, NYTimes, BBC, major media carefully ask me if the results may be as I wish – but I am often satisfied with any results as they are the chef. My significance ends when they pick me from the farm.

I decline interview requests when I am asked to be something else – like they decide to bake bread, and ask Rice to be the Flour… When I am rice, I can be close to the flour, but they aren’t the same. So, as long as the chef respects what raw ingredients are without modifying the Core for their convenience, I am happy to be cooked in any way. For that, the writing does not convey my message as it is a dish with other raw ingredients they chose. The video is the dish I proudly say it is the dish with my ingredients.

I do not agree that any publicity is good publicity. However, it is always a privilege and honor to be picked by a good chef as a raw material who wishes to be known “as is”. Sashiko in English is simplified and romanticized as they introduce Rice Powder as Flour. I am speaking up to say Rice is different from Flour.





BBCの記事、「動画映えしていないねぇ」と恥ずかしいのも、実は枕詞がございまして、「他所行きの顔してる=動画映えしようとしてる」のにやっぱり映えないねぇというお話しです。ま、人間とはそういうもんだ。さて。英語で本文を一読頂くと「あれ?」と思われるかもしれません。というのも、記事そのものは私への取材ではなく、動画のみが私への取材を元に作られている為、多少のズレがございます。メディア対応の宿命なのでしょうが、それでもわざわざ私の家まで来て下さった動画担当のプロデューサーには感謝の言葉しかありません。ありがたい話です。英語で刺し子が日本人を巻き込まずに変化していく中、こうして丁寧にお話を聞いて頂けることは、とてもとても嬉しいのです。裏話等、また配信でお話ししますね。

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October 14, 2023 at 09:49AM

It is a surprise to wake up seeing my face on the top page of BBC.com! Thank you for all the messages in this short period of time. A producer/journalist contacted me mentioning he wanted to film my stitching (Sashiko) while interviewing. I answered I would be happy to do so, yet I live 4 hours away from NYC. The producer Alex (@alexandertrow) jumped into a car & drove to my house to listen to my voice, our stories. It was a Friday he initially contacted me, and on the following Monday, he was filming me. As Sashiko “spread” to the world as a trend, many people contact me to ask for what they want to have/get. Alex was the first producer who came to where my “ordinary” exists – I was interviewed while preparing the dinner for my family. Some media suggest that I travel to them. I appreciate them covering the cost, but I usually cannot travel to them because my priority is family unless it is scheduled in advance. Media often “choose” to listen to “experts/masters” who are convenient to them – physically closer, responding faster, following the contents… I understand speed is very important in the media, and we all know that there are millions of choices. Alex chose to convince the team to come to me, and I sincerely appreciate his effort to listen to me.

Naturally, I was very happy with his visit. I rescheduled several things, but it was no harm to anyone. As I was happy & comfortable, I answered all of his detailed & deep questions with my sincere honesty. I believe the video clip on the article is quite interesting – it isn’t how Sashiko is introduced in English – but another great summary of what I have been trying to share in the last 6 years. Big thanks to Alex & his team, and I am happy that the world is listening to the voice from Japanese – not someone who is convenient to them on(location & language) concerns.





昨晩、眠すぎてぼーっとする意識の中で、BBCのあるチームに取材頂いた記事がウェブに掲載されたのを見つけて。「ま、ブログの一つだし、翌日ゆっくり読めばいいか」と、睡眠を優先したのですが、早朝別の寝室にいた妻から「!!!」のテキストが(笑)。流石にBBCのトップページに自分の顔が掲載されているとは思ってもみませんでした。しかも現在の中東情勢のニュース記事の横に(イスラエル出身の妻は毎朝現状を確認する訳で、そこで知った顔が出てこればびっくりするわなw)。

また配信でお話しできればとは思うのですが、是非記事の中にある動画を見て頂ければ。記事は私経由ではありませんが、動画には思いは詰め込んであるかと思います。

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October 12, 2023 at 12:52PM

The 3-Day Sashiko Workshop was a great success thanks to passionate participants who did very hard work to learn the Sashiko we practice. At the end of the 3 days, I felt that I had so many new Sashiko friends… and this is how I would like to pass down the Sashiko we are proud of.

Behind the dream & fantastic 3 days, many things happened in the world… and I took a few days off to balance myself. I am not still 100% fine, but I gotta restart myself somehow. So, I plan to offer the Thursday Sashiko Live Streaming as planned, and I will share the Sashiko Story as usual. I hope to spend some stitching time together there on Youtube.

*The photo is a Hitomezashi Sashiko Jacket Keiko made. The stitching looks pretty intense, but it goes the same process in the same principle, with exactly the same form & practice.





3日間の刺し子ワークショップ。無事完了することができました。毎回20時間近い刺し子の時間を一緒に過ごした後は、友達というか家族というか、とても近しい感覚を抱くようになります。それは運針会でご縁を頂いている皆様にも一緒の感覚を抱いていて、一つのこと(刺し子)を通して時間を共有するということの大切さが身に染みてわかるのです。

ワークショップと時を同じくして、物理的には遠い場所ではありますが、世界が変わってしまい、少しネットから距離を置き心と体を休めることに集中しておりました。まだバランスは整ってないですし、体調不良でもあるのですが、どこかで再始動する必要はあると思うので今週の配信は頑張ろうと思っています。何の話になるかはまだ未定ですが、できるだけ暗い話題にならないように、でも現実から目を逸らすようなことにはならないように、自分なりにできることを刺し子に落とし込んでいこうと思っています。それではYoutubeの配信にて。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子 #SashikoLive


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