I used to want to be “someone special”. What I received as a privilege, Sashiko, seemed too boring and too ordinary. Interestingly, my youth was all about how to be someone else who wasn’t me. After 20~30 years, the ordinary I despised became an important element of my life. You may find some “messages” from my stories. I appreciate it. However, at the simplest point, I just would like to pass down the Sashiko my family & friends devoted themselves to. A change is great. We all tried to change Sashiko to a better one. I just want the change to be reasonable & mindful with respect: not the change by ignorance or indifference for someone’s profit.
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“Cultural Sustainability” is a new word in my story. The idea isn’t something extraordinary in our reasonable standard. If one enjoys cultural practice with using the name, they should use (or at least understand the difference of) tools/supplies from the culture: otherwise, the Cultural Sustainability would be twisted, or worse destroyed by those with other privileges. There are so many stories/reasons why we use tools/supplies made in Japan for Sashiko. No tradition can survive without the healthy chains of artisans. Without proper needle, thimble, and thread, I cannot be a Sashiko Artisan. A mindset of appreciating this circulation is Cultural Sustainability.
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In fact, the only thing I can do is to stitch (in front of you) & to share stories behind Sashiko/Boro. It is slow, but the best way to contribute to Cultural Sustainability. I cannot change anything by myself, but I can protect the culture with you here by sharing & enjoying Sashiko stories. I have a very small voice, but not voiceless. Please copy. Please spread Story. I want the world to know what Sashiko really is.
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ある記事で写真を使いたいとの事で、妻にお願いして一枚。（結局ボツになったけどw）。普段は床に直に座って刺し子をしています。
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先日の配信もありがとうございました。いろいろ偉そうな話をしていますが、一番根底にある願いは「恵子さんに刺し子を続けて欲しい」というのが一番で、次に「親父がみていた風景を汚されたくない」というものです。2番目はここ数年の英語圏での刺し子の変化で感じているもの。どんな文化も伝統も、作り手がいなければ成り立ちません。だからこそ、刺し子が下手だと卑下する自分でも、やっぱり刺し子は続けるんです。道具も材料も使い続ける。細々とで良いので、文化が引き継がれていって欲しいなと思うんです。ま、もっと単純に言うと、「楽しいからやってる」ところもあるんですけどね（楽しくなけりゃ何千時間もやってられないので）。
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