Tag: IFTTT

Many ask me for the “Answers” in Sashiko – correct definition, authentic description, and the “Rules” for stitching itself. I do not offer the answers as shorten & summarized answers can destroy the culture & practice without careful attention. It is like asking someone to summarize their life into one sentence/paragraph, and deciding who they are without context. It isn’t a healthy relationship, is it?
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I believe everyone, regardless if they like what I say or not, can agree on one term – Sashiko (刺し子) is a Japanese term & developed in Japan. All of my stories here are rooted in the Japanese mindset, and therefore it is perfectly fine to NOT understand in a short period of time. In fact, the learning starts when they understand that they won’t understand so easily. It is the beauty of learning about other cultures. I am here to keep sharing so that you can reach your own understanding – instead of someone’s superficial answer. It is more than just business or trend. I want you to know Sashiko – and for that, I want you to know who I am & what we make.
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Sashiko Live Streaming on Youtube, on every Thursday at 9 pm EST is a great opportunity for me to learn the “difficulty” in learning something so foreign. Live Streaming isn’t a Class – so I won’t talk about anything I teach in Workshops & Class, but I am happy to elaborate the stories I share – occasionally, I even accept an argument. I show my face. I clarify who I am. I have nothing to hide. It may be rare to disclose many things – but this is the only way I found to preserve the Sashiko we practice from the Cherry Picking (or Cultural Appropriation for that matter).
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Youtube Link is available from the Profile or search for “Sashiko Story”.
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本日の配信も素敵な時間となりました。刺し子配信…刺し子をしながら刺し子や関連する事項について語るだけの配信なのですが、長年続けていると話す内容にも重複が出たり、はたまた少し横道に外れてしまったりします。それでも、話し続けることによって矛盾を把握できたり（矛盾は存在して当たり前なので）、本当に伝えたいことは何なのかというのが固まってきます。同じ話をしても良いんだと気がついた辺りで、少し気が楽になりました。
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配信のアーカイブは全て残っています。話す内容の良し悪しは別として、本音の部分で話をしているつもりです。刺し子に関係のないような話も、点として後に線で繋がるように意識しています。刺し子の針目が点であれば、運針は線で、作品という面で伝えていけたらと。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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I had such a great time in Brooklyn last weekend for the Sashiko Workshops. As always, I am a bit burned out after the big matters to me. This time, I took days off to focus on recovery first.
@loopoftheloom displayed our item so nicely. I feel like our Sashiko was in the museum, with white walls & spotlights. It is, one day, my dream to have an exhibition for our Sashiko. It would be perfect if the exhibition is something the visitors can feel and touch the actual Sashiko’s Stitching
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I say that Sashiko isn’t an Art Form because of its cultural significance as Ordinary. When a maker (or a teacher) focuses on the “Art” too much in Sashiko, the practice & result can be simplified & twisted. However, it doesn’t mean that Sashiko will never be the Art Form. It can be – and I hope it will be by those hands who (try to) acknowledge the Sashiko Japanese have been stitching.
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After 8 years of teaching in Sashiko, I am confident that I can pass down the Sashiko we practice. All of the stitching starts with [Core & Essence]. No matter how many years of experience a stitcher has, it is the start & the completion of my teaching. Many was surprised, and many will be surprised how different our Sashiko is from the Sashiko trend introduced by those who superficially perceive Sashiko (Cherry Pick Sashiko). I do not have any more workshops planned for 2024, but Online Class is available. I will talk about my plan on the Sashiko Live Streaming on Thursday (8/8) at 9 pm EST – the usual time & place on Youtube.
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先週のワークショップ、無事終わっております。毎回のワークショップと同じように撮れた写真はごく僅かで、お散歩配信もできないままでした。申し訳ない。天気がとても不安定で、告知してキャンセルするのも気が引けてしまって。
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まだ8月なのですが、2024年のワークショップの予定はここで一度終わります。余裕はあるので、開催できる場所があれば…とは思いつつ、滅多にない数ヶ月の時間なので、これまで手が回らなかったことを少しずつ進めていけたらと思っています。今年最後のワークショップからかはわからないのですが、今回は燃え尽きてしまった感があって、家に戻ってから数日充電しておりました。普段は家から出ないので、単なる夏バテなのかもしれませんが（笑）。また配信含め、丁寧に刺し子を伝えていけたらと思っております。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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Your Story is like a Philosophy Class… I occasionally receive this type of compliment, just like in the previous Live Streaming. Honestly speaking, though, I never thought of myself as being “Philosophical”. I didn’t like “Philosophy” in my student years… so I feel a bit strange when people value my Stories as “Teaching Philosophy”. Well, then I question myself, “What is Philosophy, then?”
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According to the Oxford Languages, Philosophy can be defined as “the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline”. From my perspective as a Sashiko artisan, it is natural to consider Sashiko non-Philosophy as it isn’t “Study” or in “Academic discipline”. However, from a learner’s perspective, what I share can be a “Study” and the series of my stories can be “Academic Discipline”. So their compliment is valid & my feeling (of strange) is also reasonable.
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The key here is the description of “Fundamental Nature of Knowledge, Reality and Existence”. A series of stories, videos, and teaching is our fundamental Nature of Knowledge & Experience. I am sharing someone’s life, and of course, my life. It is my sincere pleasure if you can find any inspiration from what I share – I am happy to share our “Ordinary” to be part of your “Philosophy”. So, please know that the Sashiko you know now are limited. If you can say what I teach in the workshop, then you know the Sashiko we practice – but again, it is merely a start of learning an unknown & whole story of Japanese Sashiko.
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私が英語で語る「刺し子」には、とても不思議な感想を頂くことがあります。その中でも一番多いのが、「淳の刺し子は哲学だ」というもの。お褒めの言葉だとは思うのですが、そもそもあまり哲学が好きじゃないのもあって、なんだかなぁと思ってしまうのです。
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ま、とはいえ哲学は「本質を考えること」ではあるので、私の言葉が哲学っぽくなるのかもしれません。私にとっては当たり前のこと。きっと多くの日本人にとっても当たり前のこと。でも、それが当たり前じゃなく、且つ本質を「伝えるもの」であるから哲学に.聞こえるのかもしれません。知ってほしいだけなのですよ。知らないまま無理やり捻じ曲げるのが嫌なだけなのです。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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Frankly speaking, there isn’t much difference from Sashiko & other types of stitchery. As some say, it is just hand-stitching (running stitching) after all. Your culture should have a similar practice, and one of your ancestors probably practiced stitching similar to Sashiko. However, it is disrespectful to say “Just (Mere) stitching” to describe Sashiko without acknowledging the Stories behind. There is one thing that makes Sashiko so unique.
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What makes Sashiko so special, unique, and inspirational is the stories behind them. In other words, without Stories, there are no differences between Sashiko & other stitchery. I agree for those who say there is no difference between Sashiko & Kantha – yet they are different because of the Stories & People behind them. Isn’t it so violent to ignore the difference between you and I because we are all human? How about celebrating diversity? Teaching Sashiko without the fundamental understanding of Japanese Culture is missing the most important element in “Teaching with Culture” – the Stories to make it so special. Technique itself can be copied. Anyone pretends that they are the masters of something without proper commitment. However, I want to think more of humans – we can care for each other, acknowledge (& celebrate) the difference, and then find a mutual place to enjoy it, right? For that, please keep learning Sashiko from those with an abundance of stories. I am trying my best to bring the stories to the table.
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インドに「カンタ刺繍」という刺し子に似た手仕事があります。本も出版されている人気のある刺繍で、アメリカで刺し子をする中でカンタ刺繍の先生とお話しする機会を頂いたこともあります。顔が見えないネットでは「刺し子じゃなくてカンタだ（一緒だ）…」とか、「カンタと刺し子は全く違う…」とか、いろんな不毛な議論がなされていますが、もう既に答えは出ています。カンタも刺し子も一緒です。でも、全て違います。だからどちらかではなく両方とも残せるのです。
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補足します。針仕事という意味合いではカンタ刺繍も刺し子も一緒です。針を動かす目的も、デザインもアプローチも似ていますし、一緒なところもあります。でも、その針を動かす人の文化が違います。だから、全て違うんです。呼吸をするから人間で、だから私もあなたも一緒でどちらかに統一しなきゃいけない…なんていう乱暴な論理は現代では存在しないように（過去には存在したのかもしれませんが）、一緒の中に違いを楽しむというのが「多様性」であり、それは手仕事の流れでも一緒です。多様性って「なんでもいい」わけじゃなくて、一緒の中の微妙な違いを楽しむことだと思うんですよね。
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この多様性を成立させるのが、「物語」です。文化とも、個性とも言い換えて良い。だからこそ、日本文化のなんたるかも知らない人が刺し子をあたかも全て知っているかのように教えているのを見ると、人間は呼吸さえしてれば人間だ…と言われているような無力感を覚えてしまうのです。
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#Sashiko #刺し子


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About 10 years ago, soon after I immigrated, I received an email from my mother Keiko. She asked me if I were willing to “restart” the Sashiko. I don’t talk about the past so often outside of the workshops, but as you may guess by reading “restart”, our Sashiko once “ceased” its tradition – at least, there were days that we tried to distance ourselves from Sashiko. This is one reason I say Sashiko is more than just a trend – it is part of our lives, and identity.
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The photo is a Jacket Keiko made around the time we “restarted”. Ever since, we kept making quite many Jackets, Tapestries, and more with much help from other Sashiko Artisans. We hope to continue making them… but it requires stability in “Cultural Sustainability”.
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I understand that the “Trend” focuses on the “Fun Part” of Sashiko, and ignores the rest. When Sashiko becomes a hobby or entertainment, I understand that the goal is to just have fun. There is nothing wrong with the trend, but the trend can never describe the whole picture of its practice as some Sashiko Teachers are simplifying, minimizing, and yet romanticizing. Please help us to keep this Sashiko going. Please support Sashiko Artisans who can make this type of Pieces (in Japan). I share & offer everything we have & use – all I ask is the acknowledgement, and hopefully, a choice to preserve the culture from Cherry Picking done by non-Japanese self-titled Masters.
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刺し子から一度距離を置いて、でもその距離が苦しかった恵子さんから連絡を受けて刺し子を再開して…信じられない気持ちでいっぱいなのですが、そんな「ゼロ」の段階から、もう既に10年以上が経っているんだなぁと。当時は手探りで何をしていいかすらわからない日々でしたが、当時から刺し子をすることだけは続けていて、この野良着もそんな当時の一枚だったりします。もう既に違う誰かの手元に渡った作品です。
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沢山の素敵なご縁を頂いて、10年前では考えられなかった刺し子を今見ています。と同時に、暗中模索の中で足掻いてきた中で生まれた「歪み」みたいなものも感じています。ずーっと、そして今も必死ですから。意図する通りに伝われば、それは運針会のような素晴らしい居場所になるのですが、現代のネット社会に置いて言葉や思い、技術すらも切り取られることは承知しておかなけれないけないことで。だからこそ、本物と本質をしっかりと伝え、残し続けたいと思うのです。配信での話は常に、愚直にですが真剣に刺し子に向き合っている一人の言葉として残したいと思って続けています。気楽に聞いて頂けるために笑いを意識しながら。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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I will be in Brooklyn (@loopoftheloom, Dumbo) this coming weekend, August 3rd & 4th for Sashiko Workshops. The studio offers Trunk Sale from 1pm to 5pm, with some of our authentic Sashiko supplies & actual Sashiko pieces we have stitched. I won’t be able to say hello until 4 pm or so as I would like to focus on the workshop – however, if you are nearby, please make a visit to touch what we make. I hope you can feel the “difference” in the Sashiko we practice & Sashiko introduced in English today.

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When I bring Sashiko pieces, like this tapestry or Jackets, I often encourage students to touch them, feel them, and even “wear” them. After all, it is just a piece of Fabric – yet it is a piece of fabric with so many stories. We won’t have enough time to share all the stories behind the fabric, but I believe they can feel the “significance & existence” of stories behind. When they feel “it” – let’s say, “spirit” – I don’t think they can say “whatever is fine” in Sashiko. I do not think there is such a thing as “Right” and “Wrong” in Sashiko – but “Whatever” as a way to stop caring for the stories behind the handmade items are completely against my understanding of “Art” and “Craft”.

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*[Core & Essence (C/E)] Workshop is sold out – [Application & Practice] has a few seats available, but C/E is a prerequisite. C/E can be completed online (if we hurry, we can arrange one by this Sunday). Hope to see you there.

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まだ7月ですが、今入っている予定では今年最後のワークショップでブルックリンにお邪魔してきます。毎回のことなので「写真撮りますー」とは言いながら、多分写真は撮れないままなんだろうと思いますが、今回の滞在は2泊なので、お散歩配信ができたらいいなと思っています。

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昨年のオフ会でも感じたことなのですが、私達の刺し子の楽しさ、素敵さ、奥深さを知って頂くには実物を見て、手に取って、「物語」を感じて頂くことが一番なのだろうと思います。言葉では伝えられない、何かしらの伝達が起こるのだろうと。来店下さる方にはそんな機会を。私にとっては、刺し子の大切な本質を伝えられる機会に。頑張ってきます。（ワークショップは今週末です！）

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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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Another analogy of the pain/frustration I feel for the current trend of Sashiko. It may resonate with you. Or, I also understand that this may be a rare case. Therefore, I want to share the analogy for the possible imagination.
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He was born in a family of the chief in a small village. He didn’t like the village life. Outdated, Lame, Boring… He found the ordinary there suck. As he grew, he tried to find something more than his ordinary. After decades of trying to be someone, he realized the beauty of the small village he was born in. Soon after he decided to “preserve” the ordinary in the village, some people found his village to be a good resort – the ordinary became someone’s vacation & entertainment (extraordinary). Capitalism brought many “attractions” to his village, and started building something “profitable” and “comfortable” for the potential guests over the outdated & old houses. The Resorts didn’t care for the cultures (houses & people) there much.
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He doesn’t have the power to stop the “Resort”. So, his plan is to keep sharing the “Stories” for the guests who may be interested in the village on top of the Resort Experience. Unfortunately, some of the capitalists find him annoying (as he is “outdated”), and decide to ignore him & lead others to not to look at him. He sees his ordinary (village) being scraped and rebuilded – one by one – as he sees it everyday, while he still tries to preserve what he can (his house)… although the guests find his house an attraction sooner or later.
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I am “He” in this extreme analogy. I feel something important for me (and for Japanese) are destroyed & rebuilt by someone who only cares for their profit & convenience. I am lucky that I have you who care to learn – but unfortunately, the repainting is an ongoing matter, and therefore, it is quite painful.
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I talk about Sashiko in Live Streaming on Thursday night at 9 pm EST.
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本日の配信で触れたこと。もしかしたら私は時代の流れに思いっきり逆らおうとしているのかもしれないということ。AIやら機械化やらで、人間らしさを薄めようとしていく未来に、人間だからこそできることという、ある意味では少し汚ならしいような流れを見ているのかもしれません。人間の汚いところを排除した理想系がAIと機械なら、刺し子も襤褸もその逆を行くのではと思うのです。でも、だからこそ、輝くものがあると思うのです。（私の願う）刺し子が目指すものは、人間らしさの包括的な立ち位置を代弁するものなのかもしれません。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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When you read my Stories, please keep one thing in mind. I welcome anyone who is interested in Sashiko. I accept any “Changes” in Sashiko. I enjoy seeing many interpretation & modification & application of Sashiko into their own field of creativity. Some mislead my stories as I act like a “gatekeeper” of Traditional Sashiko – or even I deny all of the changes in Sashiko. I do NOT deny it. I even encourage them to “change” it.
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All the reason I speak up with caution to the world is about “How & Who makes the change”. The change itself isn’t a matter of good or bad. The “Tradition” without change & adaptation isn’t really Culture. Unfortunately, right now, “How & Who makes changes in Sashiko” are those who do not belong to either Japanese Culture or who do not stitch as much.
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The issue itself isn’t the lack of experience of belongings. It is the lack of acknowledgement, and misleading the majority in a form of trend to maximize their profit. It is a Change with ignoring the origin, and focusing on their profit. We may call it “Cherry Picking”… I find it disgusting when they intentionally change someone’s culture for their own comfort. Well… it is probably a history of humanity – but then, I am protecting Sashiko for “the majority” from “those”.
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時間が空いてしまいました。ん〜。なかなか調子が出ません。運針だけじゃなく、日々においてもリズムに乗れない。結果、できるだけ毎日更新しようと思っているインスタグラムも億劫になってしまっておりました。音楽で音程を合わせる為には、頭の中で考えていてもダメで、実際に楽器から音を出し続ける必要があるように、普段の生活の調子も合わせる為には動き続けるのが一番の近道なわけで。でも時に苦しくなってしまうのです。
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感情に矛盾が生じているのを認知しながら前に進んでいることは、良くないのかもしれません。端的に言うと、嫌だと思いながら辻褄を合わせる為に誤魔化しながら前に進んでいるのかもしれません。誤魔化しなしの気持ちは、「私は今の刺し子の流行が嫌だ」ということなのかもしれません。刺し子は針仕事なので、どのような変化をしても問題ないし、寧ろ変化をすることが大切だと思っています。ふきんも、パッチワークも、様々な刺し子のルールも、針目の大きさも、糸の太さも、運針の有無も…これまで嫌だと思うことは多くありませんでした。変化そのものは嫌じゃない。では何が嫌かというと、「変化を作る人の考え方、刺し子への向き合い方」が嫌なんだろうなと。極端に言えば、粋を感じない論理的で西洋的な変化を「日本人すら」、日本の日常の手仕事の刺し子に持ち込んでいるのが嫌なんだろうと思います。
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私が尊敬する刺し子の署先輩方も、試行錯誤を繰り返されています。でも、なかなかに声は広がらない。それは「刺し子の技術」と「声を広げること」は全く別物で、寧ろ反比例すらするかもしれないと思う程に「別人格」が必要に思います。私の中にも二人存在していて、だからこそ己の中の矛盾を感じているのかもしれません。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子


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I liked the previous “Shiawase (meeting with 4 lines) Furoshiki”. This is the following project with “free hands concepts” with several rules like the color of threads. Well… as I put a bit of “my ego” into this and tried to be more “design focused”, and it is turning… umm, something I don’t know how to feel about. To be honest, I may not like it at this point much. I am sharing the in-progress photo just to push my back to complete the project – and once again, to question myself, “Is Sashiko Art?”
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Sashiko “can be” the Art. However, at this moment, I do not consider Sashiko as Art. Therefore, although someone may consider this piece as Art, I am not 100% happy with the Sashiko I practice with this fabric. I believe it is okay to not to like something – as “Like” exist thanks to “Dislike”. Not all of the Sashiko are supposed to be “beautiful” – and not asking for the admiration in forms of “Likes”
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Well. The “Authentic Sashiko” exists on the road of one’s stitching with Joy. When one enjoys Sashiko, they will reach the “Authentic Sashiko” at some point. What I teach is how to ride a bike so that one may reach there faster than just walking. When one reaches the point, I am happy to call Sashiko as Art with pointing out their Sashiko. The day will come soon.
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前回の風呂敷（15色の刺し子糸を使って下書きなしで刺し子したもの）が楽しくて、素敵だったことも相まって、調子に乗って5色の段染め糸を使った風呂敷を始めたものの…少しデザイン性に欲を出してしまったからか、運針できる距離も短いし、なんか微妙に素敵じゃない感じもしてきていて、進みが遅い風呂敷になっています。とはいえ、なるはやで完成の形に持っていきたいので、自分の背中を押すつもりで途中経過の写真です。
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刺し子と生きていく中で、この問いは常に命題になりそうです。「刺し子はアートか」という質問は、正直な気持ちから言うと、「アートでもアートじゃなくても良くね？」という所です。元も子もないけれど。とはいえ、一方通行で「刺し子はアートだ！何してもいいんだ！全ては美しいんだ！」とガンガン自己主張されると、なんかそれは刺し子じゃないんだよなぁと思ってしまうのです。刺し子がアートかどうかの伝え方も含めて、刺し子らしさは持ち合わせていたいのです。
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刺し子はアートになり得ます。ただ、それは刺し子の一部であって全体像にはなり得ません。吃驚されるかもしれませんが、この風呂敷、私が「これはアートです」と英語圏で言えば、かなりの高確率でアートとして受け入れて頂けます。下手したら、伝統的な総刺しの風呂敷よりも売りやすいかもしれません。マーケティングもしやすいのかもしれません。でもね、これは私にとっては（まだ）アートじゃないのですよ。試行錯誤の、四苦八苦した結果というか、まだまだ好きになれない刺し子の一つで、そしてまたこれを「なんか嫌だ」と思ってくれる人がいる世界線で刺し子を広めたいと思うのです。アートになると、「なんか嫌」がその人のアート性を否定することになって、なかなかに言葉にできません。でもさ、「嫌」があるから「好き」があるわけで。刺し子は楽しいと思って続けた先には、必ず素敵な作品が存在します。だから、アートかどうかよりも、楽しんで刺し子をして欲しいのです。
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#Sashiko #刺し子


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Well. Latest “Upcycled” Denim reached its competition (for now). Comparing it to other Denims I have worked on so far, I realize the smaller pieces of vintage fabrics would make this project more attractive. It is a miracle process of finding a “gem” at the right place & right timing.
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We can find so many profound & wise sayings to enrich our lives – and there are moments to realize the sayings are actually linked to our reality. “Finding a Place Where You Can Bloom” is the saying underlie these Denims. One small piece of fabric is so trivial for almost all the people. For many of them, it is nothing more than trash. However, for me when I work on this specific project, the piece of trash becomes the gem – the one it has to be there for the specific purpose.
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I DO NOT recommend the mindset of “Everything (even trash) has Value” as it can lead us to other bigger issues. However, I also want to remind you that everything has its “Potential” to be valuable when the time, situation & conditions change. Similarly, everyone has their potential to shine. If one feels so disregarded, it may be just a matter of not being in the right place at the right timing. Interestingly, when we talk about humans’ lives, this is where “Luck” kicks in.
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In order to find the right place to bloom, “Luck” plays a big role as there are so many uncontrollable factors to find the place & to be there. I agree some say that the Luck is the key element of success. For that, I am extremely lucky. To receive “Luck”, there is one condition one has to be persistent – it is “To Be There”. Continuous effort is great, but not everyone can continue working hard. So… all I suggest is “to be there (believing in what you do)”. There are so many things I learned from Sashiko in my childhood – and I am finally putting the wisdom into the words.
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なんだかんだで楽しくて、端切れを縫い付けるだけの作業を続けています。数着続けて気がついたのは、端切れは小さければ小さい程、面白くなるなぁと。ただ、小さく切り揃えては駄目で、余り布として小さくなって、且つ似たような形をした布を探すところから仕事は始まります。
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小さい端切れ布なんて、一般的に言ったらゴミのように価値のないものです。ただ、場所と時を変えると、価値があるものに変化します。花開かなければ、花開く場所を探せばいいという励ましも真実なんだろうなと思うのです。刺し子を続けていたら、気がついたらこれだけ多くの方に耳を傾けて頂けるようになりました。30年以上価値がないと思っていたものが、流行によって価値を持つ。「生」ってそんなものなのかもしれません。
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#Sashiko #刺し子


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