I occasionally wonder what “appreciation” means for others. For me, “appreciation” comes with some action. Without action, the phrase “I appreciate it” is kind of a polite way to say “I don’t care”. One say, “I appreciate Japanese culture”. But they step into a Japanese house without taking shoes off with saying “it is freedom of choice”. The similar case goes to “Inspired”. One say, “Boro inspired me”, but they put so bright color to fabric… I wonder what they are inspired by. Are they using the word for the commercial or “self-assertion” purpose? It is perfectly fine to do so, but then covering their greed with superficial niceness is disgusting. Regardless of what they say, without proper action, they are same as those saying “I don’t care about Sashiko, but I use the word Sashiko because it brings more people (which I define as Cultural Appropriation, so please do not do it). Is it too much to ask to take an action?
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If you can, please, tell your friends what you learn. Stop purchasing from someone who is just taking advantage of the words/culture. If possible, please speak up with me. Everyone has a choice to be a bystander and not be involved. However, then, please do not cover yourself up by saying “I appreciate it”. Sashiko is more than a mending. Boro isn’t the technique. The Japanese didn’t embrace the imperfection. Sashiko isn’t developed as “slow-stitching”. There are many messages you can find on this account. Please, please help me to re-adjust the words. Groups of privileged people re-wrote a culture – I am not trying to reverse it, and I learned from my older friends, that I may be the last chance to do so in Sashiko. All of my messages are available for free. Please read. Please watch. Please learn, and Please help me.
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「刺し子とはなんぞや」という問いに答えはありません。それは文化として変化してきた結果が今だから。同時に、これだけの変化があったので、「好きな刺し子、嫌な刺し子」が出てくるのもとても自然なことです。僕が願うのは、「好きな刺し子、苦手な刺し子」を自分で見極められるようになる人が増えること、そして、好きな刺し子を突き進めていけるだけの技術を学んで頂くこと……だったりします。手芸としての刺し子の前に存在した刺し子も、やっぱり知ってほしいんですよね。なぜって、僕がそれを知る過程を通して、沢山の素敵な刺し子に出ることができたからなんです。
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#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #CulturalAppropriation #SashikoStory #日本の刺し子 #刺し子
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