After the lecture, I got a very good question: [What is your dream in Sashiko?]. Is it to be famous in the textile field? Having Fancy Studio & Production? Making Good Money? Publications? Recognition as an Artist? Fame? I had to think about this for a bit – and I said my goal is that I can keep the Same Sashiko 10 years, and 30 years from now in the way I enjoy today. Everything else I mentioned above (like money & fame) are all means to make my dream come true. Even a small dream of having my own studio (or a space) for Sashiko is a vehicle – my dream is that I can do the exact same thing in the future – therefore, I want to share the Stories.
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A “Craft” culture doesn’t end when a craftsman or an artisan decides to quit their activities. Here, in the same logic, Sashiko Culture does NOT end when I (or we) decide to quit Sashiko. However, I can say for sure that the Sashiko Culture I practice will end when the artisans who indirectly support me become the Sashiko Artisan (like makers of threads, needles, thimble, and fabric who are also the artisans). To support them back somehow is the indirect dream to make my direct dream (of keeping my Sashiko as is) for the long-going future.
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One may say they don’t need a thimble. It is a true statement for them. However, for me, keeping the stories & technique how significant “the thimble” is will support the artisans & the Sashiko in my future. I guess I am pretty self-centered and I am very particular in what I want. I just want to keep stitching the way I do today – and I would like to have the same tools, supplies and mindset that I have today. Unfortunately, the Sashiko introduced in English is optimized for Western Teaching & Audience. They aren’t wrong, but not enough. I will keep sharing the Stories as well as our Sashiko so that we can have the same “Addictive Fun” in 10 years & 100 years.
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何百人という方にお話をする機会を頂いた後に、とても純粋な感じで「淳の刺し子の夢は何ですか？」と。有名になること？本を出すこと？お金持ちになること？認められること？…何が夢ですか、と。少し考えて出た言葉が「刺し子を続けていたい」でした。不思議な顔をされたので、「刺し子を続ける為には、その道具や材料を作ってくれる人も必要だから」と説明しながら、結局はそうなんだろうなと。30年後も今日と同じように刺し子をする為に、今頑張ってるんだなと。一番になりたいとか特別になりたいという野望は強くありません。ただただ、自分の核にある刺し子を、大切に思う友人達とずーっと続けていけたらと願っています。
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