One Story. Two completely opposite feedback – one with joy & appreciation, another with anger & aggression. I used to think it was because of my language ability. Not any more. Since I do not “define” it so clearly or provide the clear “answers”, my story becomes a mirror that reflects who they are. This is a scary realization – no matter how much I try, there will be those who attack me “regardless” of what I write. They only read what they want to read by clipping what I wrote. The safest way is to stop writing. However, I need to protect my own identity – and stop writing will result in changing it.
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Therefore, I am here to “Share”. I dare not to expect them to be “different”. I do not ask for any changes. I am not here to convince anyone. I don’t really need to validate my logic either. However, “sharing” brings 2 completely opposite feedbacks. I am a human. Of course, I care what others think about me. So, I decided to just “leave” it there. I summarize my message on SNS as a “story”. On Youtube, I will start sharing unedited stories with my unedited stitching as “raw materials (1st source of information)”. One may clip and paste what I say & create an easy & catchy summary saying “Atsushi is trying to shut others up in Sashiko”. It isn’t true, but that’s how they want to understand my stories. Then, what I can do is to leave “everything” so others will “re-repaint” the repainted version of Sashiko. If I cannot stop the process of “repainting” the culture, all I can do is to leave the “original paint” so someone else may/can re-repaint.
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It is very unfortunate that I have to do this emotional & physical labor. 20 years ago, it wasn’t necessary. However, I hope all that I do would contribute to other cultures that may be in the same muddy stream of “Cultural Appropriation”. I know I am not alone in this. Therefore, I can keep sharing (The first unedited voice is on Youtube as Live Streaming Archives on 7/21).
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日本を離れて7年。一度も日本の地を踏んでません。気楽に日本に戻れる日がきたら、夢があります。それは、今、この瞬間に、日本で、日本語で、刺し子を楽しんでいる人に会いにいくこと。お話を伺いに行くこと。2012年に刺し子に対する見方が180度変わり、この7年で刺し子に対する想いが広がりました。やっぱり僕は、刺し子は日本のものであって欲しいのです。日本が誇れる、日本の当たり前（だったもの）だと思うから。
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#Sashiko #刺し子
via IFTTT