A definition is powerful. It gives us a clear description for the mutual understanding. Without proper definition, a discussion won’t be valid. However, at the same time, when a definition is done by ignorance (either with good intention or for one’s convenience), it has the power to change something important. I used to explain Sashiko as wisdom in “poverty”. Poor Japanese people practiced Sashiko. It is true that they were in extremely harsh conditions, but I now wonder if it is okay for us to define them as “poor”. This is profound advice from my new menter, Yoshiko Wada (@yoshiko_wada_). I have been thinking & imagining & researching. Translation & definition is difficult because “poverty” in Japanese – “貧しさ” has a bit different nuance. (So I think it is okay to say that Sashiko was in 貧しさ）.
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We have our personal definition of words. How do you define “being rich/wealthy”? A pile of c-notes in front of you? A digital number on the PC monitor? List of real-estate you own? I have a vivid boundary between “rich” and “decent”. For me, “being rich” means that I can purchase what I want, in a grocery store, without checking the price tag. For me, “being rich” is liberation from minor worries for next week. I do not want a fancy watch because it doesn’t mean “being wealthy” to me. I know you have different definitions. It is quite natural with wanting “money”. We just have to know that the definition can be “personalized” based on the condition.
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For me, Cultural Appropriation causes pain when people pretend that they know the definition of something foreign. Not knowing is fine. We are here to learn. I am learning – flipping all of my definitions of Sashiko as “wisdom in poverty”, thanks to Yoshiko-Sensei (She is “the” teacher of Shibori, so please learn from her, too).
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柳宗悦氏の著書、”手仕事の日本”の一節に「貧しさの美しさ」という表現があって、（昔の）刺し子もその一つだなと思っています（刺し子は地域によって特色があるので全てではないけれど）。英語で紹介する際には、貧しさを”Poor/Poverty”を訳して紹介してきたのですが、ご縁を頂いた先生よりとても貴重なご指摘を頂きました。そう。”貧しさ”と”Poor”は、同じ意味ですが、圧倒的に違う何かがあるのです。何が違うのか。これは逆に日本語で説明することが難しい。前提とは凄いものです。必ずどこかで説明に挑戦してみようと思います。
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