I learned the word “Cultural Appropriation (C/A)” in 2019 with pain. Ever since, I have been trying to educate myself. I learned that I am not alone in this. C/A is a very sensitive and broad topic to discuss. The significance relies on the person’s experience, and for that, I am a newbie in being […]
In 2019, the words “Sashiko” and “Boro” taught me great lessons. Sashiko, Boro, Zen, Kimono, Wabi-Sabi, Matcha, Pecha-Kucha, Ikigai… those words are translated with “something” missing, I feel. I haven’t read all the books, so I shouldn’t speak on behalf of others, but it is insteresting to find out most of the authors do not […]
As you know, I share pretty much everything on the Internet. Stories here to enrich the body of Sashiko, and Unedited Videos & some tutorials to preserve the techniques & skills. I offer Sashiko classes to pass down the “Core & Essence”. However, since I do not want to filter “who can learn” based on […]
Why do you “mend” in a society we have a “choice” to replace? We can, technically, avoid mending throughout our life. In fact, it is cheaper to replace. Why do we mend then? I feel it is dangerous to see “mending in necessity” and “mending as a choice” as the same thing. So, I want […]
“Atsushi is a hardcore on keeping the faith…” I found a comment on SNS. I know the person who wrote this. They have been supportive of what I am doing. I knew it was a compliment, but I do not think that I am a hardcore. At least, I do not want to consider myself […]
I am aware that I am taking risks. There are a lot easier ways to “expand Sashiko business” for money & fame. However, Sashiko is more than a (temporary) business to me. Therefore, I need to take risks to get chestnuts out of the fire… I just sometimes realize how bad the risk I am […]
Society asks you to be someone special. They say, “Find true-self within you”, and encourage you to be the “Only One” by doing something. They teach you how to be creative as if creativity clears your suffering. If “creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence (Quote from Osho)”, what they do is more like obedience […]
Sashiko isn’t only “Fashion”. Sashiko itself isn’t Art (to me). Sashiko isn’t about Pattern or Design. Sashiko isn’t only about mending. ☆ It is natural, you wonder, “what the heck is Sashiko then?” because I keep saying Sashiko is NOT ◯◯. I cannot define it, well… I do not want to define it with my […]
“Is Sashiko Art?”. I had a Live Streaming only in Japanese to share my understanding about Sashiko as Art or Non-Art. There are many reasons why I do not consider Sashiko as Art. It is almost meaningless to discuss to “conclude” if Sashiko is Art or not because the “definition” and “expectations” in English toward […]
“Internet” changes pretty much everything about how we live. By enabling the “free” communications, many “stones” and “gems” got into the same box. It is us, individuals, to find what is a gem (valuable to them) and what is a stone (not so valuable). The internet makes anyone able to speak up anything: One can […]