(Photo of the same piece from the previous post). As the disrespectful comment I received, [Atsushi isn’t well respected in Japan] includes our Sashiko Friends in Japan, I had a beautiful opportunity to talk about “me” and “what I do” in Sashiko with them. It was good to know how they think of me – I acquire their respect for me, and more importantly, they do NOT have blind faith in me. We are very balanced, and it is very important when we share the Culture. Our goal is to pass down the culture, not to make a cult.
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This may be yet a strong statement: While I was talking to my Sashiko friends in Japan, I realized that I may be the very first Sashiko Artisan who can speak English without translation. I know Japanese people with (English) Language Proficiency start teaching Sashiko in their career, but not like they practiced Sashiko first, and then learned English later. For that, I have quite a unique background.
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As Sashiko is deeply related to Japanese Culture, “the Translation” tends to be a process of simplification. How so? Because what we talk about Sashiko in Japanese is already someone’s interpretation of Sashiko & its practice. So when it is introduced in English, the piece of information you read is someone’s interpretation on the translation of a Japanese’s interpretation. Of course, it will be simplified. It is like a telephone game. Therefore, it is important to share “Stories” – not only the information. I am seeing how a piece of information transit – and one day, I want to explain that as well.
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昨晩の配信、思いっきり話をすることができて、胸を撫で下ろしています。怒りを感じることも多いし、それがストレスになってしまうことも多々あるのですが、こうして「話せている間」はまず大丈夫だからです。これが話せなくなってしまうと気をつけなきゃいけない。
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今の英語圏での刺し子は、「日本人が解釈した刺し子を、刺し子に親しみがないかもしれない翻訳のプロ（あるいは素人）が英語に翻訳し、それを再度解釈したもの」であると考えると、諸々の違和感に説明ができるなと思うのです。そういう意味では、「日本人が解釈した刺し子」を日本語と英語でそのままの形で発信していくことは、とても意味があることなんだろうなと思っています。これからも頑張りますー！
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#Sashiko #刺し子
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