Japanese Sashiko Archive 10/11/2022

As much as I say I do not consider Sashiko as the Art (Sashiko “can be” Art), we are here continuing Sashiko thanks to those who consider our items as “Art” and invest in us a lot. Once she called our item “Wearable Art”. She told us it is her honor to “own” our Sashiko. We really appreciated this great opportunity to freely explore & involve some Sashiko Artisans in Japan. If Sashiko is in Art Form, it is “Wearable Art” as she defines: the True beauty of Sashiko shines when they wear (use) it outside. Of course, it is beautiful & important to have them in the exhibitions… but I want to keep saying that the Sashiko is based on “The beauty in Usage (用即美）”.

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My goal is to pass down Sashiko to the next generation. For that, I share many Sashiko Stories on top of teaching the Core & Essence of Sashiko. My “Job (mission)” is to support some rising Sashiko Artisans in Japan. I do not think a person can make a living by just stitching Sashiko (all-hand stitching). It simply doesn’t function in this capitalistic world. However, I would like to try my best to support the Artisans who actually keep stitching – who can make this Jacket happen again today, in 2022. This may sound like one arrogant phrase, but allow me to say it. If the world considers Sashiko as the Art, please help us (Sashiko Artisans in Japan) to be the Artist. I am not sure what I can do for that, but I will keep thinking, challenging, and of course stitching as one Sashiko Artisan (Or Artist) to pass down the Sashiko not fully introduced in English yet.

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毎回の配信で「日本の美意識」を必死に言葉にしようとしていますが（あまり成功していませんが）、根本的なところでは民藝運動によって定義された「用即美（用いて即ち美しい）」という概念を理解することが大切だと思っています。西洋の美が鑑賞するものであれば、日本の美は用いる中に存在するものなのかもしれません（こんな乱暴な定義はダメなので、定義だとは思わないでください）。

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刺し子はアートだとお褒めの言葉を頂くことがありますが、やっぱり刺し子を「観賞用」として完結させたくはないのです。使って頂いてこそ滲み出てくる美をなんとか感じてもらいたいなぁと。その美を感じて頂く為には「その刺し子欲しい！」と思って頂くものを作るのが一番です。まだまだ大変な道は続きますが、少しだけれども実績は残してきているので、愚直に足元を確かめながら、一歩ずつ進みます！

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