“Are you saying that we have to understand where ‘Sashiko’ and ‘Boro’ came from & What they are before we claim we are doing Sashiko & Boro?”. One frequent question I receive. I have shared answers already on Youtube, but it is important to deliver.
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My honest reaction is “Why are you even asking this?”. Sashiko is a Japanese Term, right? However, I am NOT saying that they must “Master” or “be fluent” in Japanese or Japanese culture, or Sashiko/Boro to claim what they do Sashiko and Boro. All I am asking is “willingness” to learn about Sashiko & Boro when they realize that there are Japanese voices behind these words. Without proper willingness to learn more, using the foreign words can be categorized into Cultural Appropriation.
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I hope you agree that “I don’t care what Sashiko & Boro are or where they are from, but I am using it just because (they bring me money, followers and attention.)” is a violent statement in terms of Preserving the Culture. It is NOT anyone’s fault that they didn’t know it. There aren’t (weren’t) many resources. However, after they come across the voices, then ignoring (indifference) it for their convenience causes significant pain. Sashiko & Boro are the Japanese words: They are not the marketing terms for someone’s business.
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偉そうに文章にしていますが、基本失敗だらけです（笑）。一生忘れないだろうなと思う失敗の一つが、僕の日本語の理解と一般的な理解が違ってしまい誤解をうんでしまったこと。「定義」と聞くと構えてしまうのが日本ですもんね。はたまたそれが「再定義」なんて言ったら怖さすら感じてしまう。僕が「いや、物語を掘り出したいだけなんです」と言った所で、再定義という言葉を使った段階で壁ができてしまう。大反省です。
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米国では定義が全てです。日本語のような良い意味での曖昧さがあると、異文化が集まる国では争いがうまれます。だから必ずルールが必要です。そんな絶対的な定義が必要な国で、「定義なんて趣がねーなー」という文化を伝える。考えれば考える程無謀ですが、でもね、頑張りますよ（というわけで、Youtubeにまた英語の動画をアップしました。ちょっと冒険したよ）。
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#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #日本人の刺し子 #刺し子
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