Asano-ha (麻の葉) is one of my favorite Geometric Pattern that I often use in my Sashiko. The Pattern itself is widely used in many designs, and it is NOT a name for “Sashiko Pattern”. (There is no such a thing as “Sashiko Pattern/Design”). Often, Geometric Patterns have “motif” and “stories” behind them. So does Asano-ha, and the motif is “Hemp Leaves”.
☆
Japanese consider Hemp (Leaves) as something “sacred” mainly used for purification in rituals. Following this story, the Asano-ha Pattern is said to be the pattern of “Repellent of Evil Spirit”. It is another reason we can find the pattern on child (infant) clothes, and often used on Semamori (as one point stitching in the form of amulets for children).
☆
Often, this story is interpreted to “protect us” from evil existence outside. Although it is one appropriate interpretation, I have another perspective as a Sashiko Artisan who actually stitches. Sashiko with Asano-ha is a way to acknowledge “Evil Spirit” residing within. For me, it is the pattern to protect me (and around me) from something negative “inside”. To fully appreciate the practice, it is very important to accept that we have a negative side within. Many work hard to overcome the negativity while acknowledging the existence. The same thing goes to Sashiko. In Sashiko, please try not to deny the negativity too much. The force to be positive with suppressing (ignoring) the negativity isn’t true positivity. It is Okay to be negative (angry, jealous, annoyed… and such). Many misunderstand. Sashiko is NOT Zen-like. It isn’t the form of so-called “meditation”(It can be meditative, though). For some, Sashiko is a way to talk to themselves. So, should there be the “right answer” for that? Of course, not. Instead of judging yourself to be good/right saying “embrace imperfection” as an excuse, please learn the way to fully appreciate the Sashiko as stitching.
☆
–
–
–
☆
麻の葉柄。一般に「魔除け」の柄とされています。外的な「魔」を避ける柄であると共に、私にとってこの柄は「内に存在する魔」を認識する柄でもあります。簡単に言うと、何も考えずに刺し子できるので自分と会話しやすい柄なんです。「内なる魔」とは八正道に反するものと言い換えるとわかりやすいかもしれませんが、それも含めて人間です。否定して無理にポジティブに持っていく方が私は怖い。「刺し子は会話」ってなかなか伝わらないとは思うのですが、長年刺し子をしている人にはわかるはず。柄も含めて大切にしたいものがあります。
☆
#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子
via IFTTT