Sashiko Story 3/26

Japanese Sashiko Story March 27, 2023

I sometimes say that it is “too late” to pass down “Sashiko”. Many encourage me saying “nothing is too late”, yet some agree with me that the Sashiko in English has become something different. It is true that nothing is “too late” to start. However, there are reasons for my pessimistic expression: Why is it so difficult to find someone who shares stories about Sashiko rather than just teaching “How To”? As Sashiko is a cultural practice, there should be millions of stories out there, right?

The language barrier kicks in here. Decades (or +50) of experience & English Proficiency do not come together often. Also, a Japanese character of “Shame” may influence why their “personal” stories are not out there. I understand that the Stories often are contained within a family. So, what I am doing is insane, or even embarrassing for some Japanese. Yet, therefore, I say, it may be too late to fully understand what Sashiko is as those family members who received Stories are getting old.

Well. “Too Late” isn’t a reason for me to quit. No matter how devastated I become, I won’t stop stitching & sharing stories as I receive much support. The more I receive, the more I realize the importance of my role. It is just “Sashiko” as ordinary. But, because it’s ordinary, it is so precious to preserve. The visit to Japan is this. I am so fortunate to greet a number of Sashiko practitioners in Japan. I sincerely appreciate your Support (Donation) on GiveButter, and I will make sure to use it as effectively as possible – to share the Stories we, as Japanese Sashiko Artisans, will carry. (Detail Story will be available in a dedicated webpage).



昨日、無事運針会を開催することができました。開催を重ねる毎に運針とは面白いものだなぁと実感を重ねています。刺し子に限らず日本的な技術や知恵というのは「見て覚える」側面があります。学ぶ側の努力が必要なんですね。逆に西洋では教える側が努力することが求められます。「技術を伝えられないのは生徒か先生かどちらの責任か?」面白い文化比較です。

見て覚えることが当たり前だと、教える側が「何が分からないか分からない」と言う究極の悩みからはある程度解放されます。私が運針会を始めた時に、「運針の何をお教えするの?」とこぼした言葉に真実があります。刺し子を再始動する中で一人になり、刺し子と向き合い、自分にとって当たり前をできるだけ細分化してきました。結果が運針会であり英語圏での活動です。結果、とても簡単に刺し子をお伝えすることができます。まじで。簡単だと思う。

次回運針会、5月22日(月)の朝9時からを検討しています。興味のある方は是非プロフィール欄のリンクから詳細を一読頂き、ご連絡頂けましたら幸いです!

#Sashiko #刺し子

 


via IFTTT

Please Learn Sashiko From US!

Our Sashiko Supplies are available here.

http://upcyclestitches.com/store

Japanese Sashiko Story March 27, 2023

Japanese Sashiko Story March 26, 2023

When we share something “Cultural”, it is important to pay attention to the “Connection” to each dot. Here, a dot is a piece of information (or a simplified “answer” or “definition”). As we look for fast & instantaneous answers, we often get satisfied with the dots themselves. We search for the answer online, and we stop looking into the topic when we find “one” dot. It is okay when we just “enjoy” someone’s culture, I guess. However, when they “teach” or “share” about the culture, ignorance/indifference to the connection can destroy the culture. I believe the core of the Cultural Appropriation Issue is “missing connection” – mostly unintentionally, and worse case, “intentionally”.

I say “Sashiko Thread Matters”. I appreciate many agreeing with me after they use it. I often get ignorant comments saying [thread doesn’t matter as Sashiko is mending]. Yes, mending is an important part of Sashiko, yet when we focus on the “connection” between dots, one cannot say “thread doesn’t matter” as Sashiko was developed on the “wishes” of people with no choices for them to avoid mending as much as they could. Instead of us embracing the mending with an abundance of choices, Sashiko started its practice to “hide/avoid” the mending itself. Therefore, thread matters. The thread we use is an outcome of the wishes.

A.I. can give us millions of “dots” when we ask. We fear that humans may lose our own significance. I believe this “connecting dots” is the way to co-exists in the wealth of culture & life-quality. Sashiko is the opposite of A.I., so I don’t want “Sashiko Teachers” to be like an A.I. which only provides the dots. Sashiko is more: Connection, Ability to read between lines (read what is NOT said/written)… Sashiko can represent some of the “superpower” we have – so, please don’t give up on that.





「点を線に、線を面に」。この当たり前のようなことが、実は海外ではとても貴重なのかもしれません。点と線と面。点の自己主張が強すぎると多面的な変化はありません。文化とはきっと様々な線で作られた面の集合体だと思うのですよ。刺し子も同様で、針目と線と布で形ができます。一つの針目だけで完結する刺し子はなく、それはきっと「一人の人間では完結しない人生」という人間の本質にも繋がるのではと思っています。自己主張は大切です。個人の自由は尊重されるべきです。ただ、「繋がり」を軽視することは文化の、そして人間そのものの否定に繋がってしまう。だからこそ、英語圏での「自由な刺し子」には疑問を投げ続けたいと思っています(日本語圏では自由で最高だと思っています)。

#Sashiko #刺し子


via IFTTT


We Offer Learning Opporutnities Online!

Interested in the Sashiko We practice? Please Learn Sashiko From US!


Our Sashiko Supplies are available here.

http://upcyclestitches.com/store

The key concept is “vehicle” as a means to bring us to the destination (goal).

Japanese Sashiko Story March 25

As I talk about Cultural Appropriation (which is probably different from what is discussed in general, so please read what I say first), I sometimes get a comment asking what they can do to respect it (avoid C/A). In Sashiko, they ask if purchasing “it (items, supplies, and tools)” from Japanese people would be respectful enough. Maybe so. That would be great. However, this is not always true. Understanding 2 categories of “business” would be more important than filtering based on the background.

The key concept is “vehicle” as a means to bring us to the destination (goal). We have to know there are 2 categories here. (1) is the one who uses Sashiko as a vehicle to reach their goal of making money. (2) is the one who uses “money” as a vehicle to reach their goal of continuing to enjoy Sashiko. My wish is to purchase “it” from those in category (2). This categorization isn’t good or bad. It is how we approach our days (ordinary).

In this society, the majority would be (1) as capitalism strongly focuses on “money”. A merchant teaches Sashiko to sell their products rather than an actual practitioner selling what they use for cultural sustainability. When the merchant misrepresents themselves as “masters”, then the C/A will happen. If they are merchants, they should be proud of being merchants.

Some accuse me of “selling” my own culture. I never say “making money” is bad. Money is necessary to keep it going. I just want the world to be mindful of the “vehicles” and “goals”, though. My goal is to pass down the Sashiko we practice, and money is the vehicle to go there. No matter how “rich” I become, I will be stitching like I do today. Be mindful whom you are purchasing from – and what they (merchants) set as their goal. What is their “vehicle” and “goal”? Don’t be fooled by words. It is often represented by their actions.





刺し子家業に生まれて、刺し子を「商売」としてずっと見てきた経験から、商売という営みも文化が強く影響するなぁと思っています。近江商人の経営哲学、「三方よし」が徹底されていれば文化の盗用という概念すら生まれない訳で。「目的」と「手段」の話だと思います。お金を稼ぐ為に刺し子をするのか、刺し子をする為にお金を稼ぐのか。どちらも正解です。ただ、偽っちゃいけない。今の英語圏の刺し子は、これを偽っている人が多い気がするのです。だからきっと私のアカウントのような好き勝手言ってる(でも矛盾にはできるだけ気を付けて愚直に)スタイルをフォロー頂けるのかもしれません。

#Sashiko #刺し子


via IFTTT

Please Learn Sashiko From US!

Our Sashiko Supplies are available here.

http://upcyclestitches.com/store

Japanese Sashiko Story March 23

Japanese Sashiko Story March 23

When I say “Sashiko is NOT Art (to me)”, some agree saying Sashiko is a form of “Folk Art”. The general definition of “Folk Art” may describe Sashiko, yet I feel a need of sharing another Japanese word – “Mingei (民藝)”. Well… when I look for the English translation for Mingei, it will be “Folk Art”… so, I am like playing with words… but before offering the answer Sashiko as “folk Art”, I want the world to know the beautiful & unique concept of “Mingei”.

“Mingei” is a more popular word than Sashiko. Soetsu (Muneyoshi) Yanagi found the beauty in “usage” – calling it “You-Soku-Bi 用即美”. He defined “Mingei” with 8 characteristics of its function & beauty. Sashiko was also found as a part of this movement. I am “Not” saying Sashiko is equal to Mingei, though. It is true that Sashiko “can” be under the definition of “Mingei”, but for me who actually have observed people stitching, it is more… personal. When Mingei categorizes the beauty in a “community”, I find Sashiko in a smaller size such as “family”… or even “parent and child”.

I won’t explain the whole picture of my understanding toward Mingei & Sashiko here. It will be like a chapter (which I wrote & it became a chapter on Patreon…). All I am doing here by sharing stories is to ask you/them to not to “define” the answer so easily. Unfortunately, without understanding Japanese, one cannot fully understand what Sashiko is. No need to understand Sashiko fully to enjoy Sashiko itself – I just want to stop the trend of “someone” being a master without even knowing these “basic” knowledge. In Japan, I will try to find a sample of “Mingei”, and hopefully I can elaborate more while sharing more photos & stories. (But again, for me, Sashiko isn’t really equal to Mingei).





もしかしたら配信で図を書きながらの説明になるかもしれませんが、個人的に「刺し子」と「民藝」は横一列には並ばないと思っています。「用即美」の概念含め、民藝で定義された美学と刺し子が一致する箇所は沢山あります。でも、では「刺し子は民藝か?」と問われると、自信を持って「はい!」とは答えられないのです。多分民藝だけど、でも、ちょっと民藝っぽくないとこも…と曖昧にしたまま今日を迎えていて、もっと言うと、この曖昧さが大切かなすら思っているところです。そんなに難しく考えなくて良いのですが、日本国外で言葉が一人歩きして勝手な答えを身に纏い出すと、やっぱり考えてしまうのですよ。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #JapaneseSashiko #民藝 #mingeivia IFTTT

Interested in the Sashiko We practice? Please Learn Sashiko From US!

Our Sashiko Supplies are available here.

http://upcyclestitches.com/store

Japanese Sashiko Story March 22

Japanese Sashiko Story March 22

10 years. It is a bit too long for one person to be away from “Home” without reasons. I cannot believe I am nervous to go back to my own country. It is insane. I have reasons that I didn’t go back to Japan for this long. I am not taking a risk to share what are the “reasons” on the Internet… but it is happening thanks to many people from the Internet.

Many tried to convince me of the importance for me to go back to Japan. I had a good & strong excuse – “money” – for not going back to Japan. I didn’t have enough luxury to go back with my family, or even by myself. Some even offered me financial help – which I didn’t have to take for the cancellation due to the pandenic… but it was very encouraging to receive supportive comments.

This year, I am very happy to share “The Sashiko I have been talking about” throughout this tour with 8 participants. At the same time, I would like to involve as many people as possible, especially those who have been supporting us & offered some support to us. Although I cannot take them with me, I want them to be a part of this tour somehow. After thinking about it for a long time, I decided to open a platform to accept support. This is probably a way to be fair with everyone, and try to involve them as much as I can. While I am in Japan, I won’t have an hour everyday to write a post. Instead, I will share as much as I can on “Stories” on Instagram & a Blog I prepare. I will share the platform soon on “Story” with a link to it.

Again, I cannot thank those who offered financial support when I got stuck years ago. I have reasons that I hesitate to go back – yet, the encouragement was heartwarming, and I am still here sharing thanks to those kindnesses. I get many “attacks” from trolls here, but I get more kindness & that’s the reason I keep sharing the Sashiko we practice.





母国である日本に10年帰っていない。常識的に考えれば「帰っていない理由」があるはずで、私も例に漏れず帰っていない理由があります。これまで向き合うことを拒否してきましたが。実際に帰国が近づくにつれ、体が拒否反応を示しだしているのですが、「今帰らないとマジで一生帰れなくなる」気がしているからこその色んな意味での強行突破な気がします。いつか笑って話せる日がくるかなぁ。もう10年経ってるけど、痛みも記憶も薄れないもんなんだなぁ。

#Sashiko #刺し子

 

Japanese Sashiko Story March 22

We Offer Learning Opporutnities Online!

Interested in the Sashiko We practice? Please Learn Sashiko From US!


Our Sashiko Supplies are available here.

http://upcyclestitches.com/store

March 17, 2023 at 07:48AM

As I often share, Teaching comes with great responsibility. No need for this pressure of responsibility when we just enjoy it. I don’t want you to worry about it too much when you enjoy Sashiko. However, please be noted that there is equally important responsibility like “Teaching” for everyone, you and me. We carry this responsibility regardless of our actions & intentions. It is a action of “recommendation”.

Many ask me for (quick) recommendations for Sashiko. Unless they ask me in Japanese, my answer is “I don’t have any recommendations (so I speak up)”. I wrote that “Teaching” without a sense of responsibility can destroy the culture. Here, “Recommendation to resources that do not carry the sense of responsibility” is equally violent as actual teaching itself: A series of recommendations make a trend, and the “teachers” get more opportunities, and then they will corner themselves to be stubborn, to the point they cannot admit they aren’t learning enough. A good teacher will never say that they know “everything” about it. They know what they can & cannot teach. Using a “strong word” such as “Supreme”, “Ultimate”, “The Only”, “Comprehensive”, and “Authentic” is a great marketing strategy – but we have to know that there isn’t such a thing in culture.

All action comes with consequences. As Spider-man says, “With great power comes great responsibility”. In this society, we are all “Spider-man” in something, especially when we can use “English”. Your words, recommendations, and choices are very powerful, and therefore it comes with great responsibility to preserve the culture of Sashiko & people behind. I really appreciate you following this account & reading. You are helping us greatly. Please be mindful of what you are recommending when you do so.





私が今英語ができるのは偶然の賜物です。努力も勿論ありますが、何より運が良かった。と同時に、「英語の力(暴力)」もひしひしと感じています。世界基準で見た時には必ず英語が必要になります。それは日本文化を紹介する時でも、です。どれだけ日本文化に精通していても英語ができないと伝わりません。逆に言えば、英語ができれば誰でも専門家になれてしまう。今の刺し子も似たような現象が起こっています。私が敬う刺し子の諸先輩方は英語は話されません。でも存在しているし、彼ら彼女らがいなかったら今の刺し子はありません。たった言語で価値が決まるのは嫌なんです。これからもだからこそ「英語で」伝え続けます。

#Sashiko #刺し子


via IFTTT

March 15, 2023 at 07:35AM

I want you to know. I want the world to know. There are quite many Sashiko “Masters” who aren’t known for it. They are all Japanese. They only speak in Japanese (as they live in Japan). With many reasons, many are willing to be anonymous. They are not recognized by “society”, and their Sashiko may be lost. Then, what is this “Society”?

We have to admit that the ticket to be part of this society is English as a language. When one doesn’t speak English, their message may be twisted, interpreted, and worse “not chosen” (lost). Then, again, who chose it? It is us who have the privilege to speak English. Some are born with this privilege. Some work hard to get the privilege. The privilege itself isn’t a matter of good or bad: it is about how we use it.

One of my goals on the coming Japan Tour is to greet some “Sashiko People” in Japan. Some of them do not consider themselves as masters like I don’t, I call them “Sashiko People”. Although they are not known for it, they are truly a part of Japanese Sashiko. I do not want their voice to be lost, or interpreted by a “translator” who doesn’t know either (or both) Japanese language and/or Sashiko Culture itself.

Just out of my curiosity, though. Let’s say Sashiko is recognized as a Japanese practice. Then, how can one really be considered as a “master” in Sashiko without the commitment to learn the language…? No need for language for having fun, but they are teaching with fees. Can I be a master of folk art in America without speaking English, without communicating in the language they speak? Absolutely not. This is why I keep asking to be mindful of who you are learning from. Teaching/Publishing comes with a great responsibility to either preserve or destroy the culture. Teaching isn’t the same as hobby, research, journalism, filming, or story-telling. “Teaching” has to be very careful.





来月の今は日本にいるのかと思うと脈拍が乱れます。日本帰国がこんなに怖いなんて。日本大好きなんですけどね、10年の月日は長すぎた。今回の帰国目的は「友達との約束を果たすため」です。同時に、「刺し子の先生方にご挨拶する」という大切な目的もあります。本来の刺し子の性質なのか、刺し子をされる方には、あまり目立たないことを好まれる方が多い印象です。それに加えて昔は私の肩書きも威圧的だったのもあって、なかなか気楽に「ご挨拶を」とは行かず。今はなーんにも背負っていないので、沢山の機会を頂けそうです。有難い限りです。可能な限り、ここでもご紹介できたらなと思っています。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #JapaneseSashiko


via IFTTT

March 13, 2023 at 01:47PM

As I share a lot, I receive many responses thanking me. It is my pleasure to do so, and I appreciate you being here to share what I share to somewhat preserve the Sashiko we practice. When I say I am “sharing everything” with our Sashiko to preserve it, I receive many supportive comments like “I agree with you”. Well, let’s step back. I do not want you to agree so easily as this is an extreme choice I had to make. This is very important, and I need to clarify.

There are many artisans & professional craftsmen (for Japanese, we have a name for them “Shokunin”). They tend to be hesitant to “share” – as they aren’t good at communicating, expressing, and putting their thoughts into words. I decided to share the Sashiko we practice because I couldn’t stand the emptiness of the Sashiko introduced in English. However, I would never think that “being shared on the Internet” is better than “being lost”. It is their choice. It is my Choice. When I see an artisan who decides to NOT to share, I completely understand. It is extremely painful. It wasn’t an easy decision. It is still not an easy decision.

I understand the feeling of artisans who do not speak up. Some are satisfied with what they do. The other may have just given up in this society. I was one of those. In this society, it is NOT the artisans’ solo-responsibility to pass down the practice. It is OUR responsibility to “receive” it, and moreover convince them to hand it over by showing respect & more importantly “seriousness”. It is “us” who need to be wise, not the artisans. How do we become wise? It is easy – just know who you are learning from. Culture is like a thread connecting all the dots, and it takes time to learn it.





昨日の投稿の続きです。「守る為に共有する」というのは私の選択であって、他の職人さん達に求められるものではありません。「共有する」というのは、とても怖くて不安なことです。痛みも伴います。全ての可能性を考慮して、人間を信じる「覚悟」があって、ようやく一歩が踏み出せます。後継者がいないまま失われていく技術は、決して職人だけの責任ではありません。全てを曝け出す(受け渡す)職人の覚悟と対等に渡り合えるだけの覚悟を持つ人がどれだけいるか…というお話。趣味や少しの副業程度なら覚悟はいりません。でも「先生」として教えるのであれば、ある程度の覚悟は欲しいと思うのです。技術じゃありません(もちろん技術もだけど)。覚悟なんです。残念ながら、今の英語圏の刺し子には、「それ」を見つけ出せていません。だからこそ思いを発信しているのです。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #JapaneseSashiko


via IFTTT

March 12, 2023 at 03:36PM

My family, who revived Sashiko & tried to protect it, prohibited “Sharing” the Sashiko they practiced among us. No photos were allowed in the store. Workshops were merely for entertainment – not for learning the important essence. It was how they (& many others) tried to preserve/protect their tradition. Keeping “it” secret was once a way to protect it.

The Internet changed it. One photo, one video, one technique can be copied and spread to the entire world as if it is the answer. There is no way to keep anything in a secret box any longer. Well, it is actually a happy case if the copy was done properly & carefully. In a trend (where speed & short are important), anyone can be a teacher (master) of anything at any point. The Internet mixed both stones and gems. It is our own responsibility to find (define) what is valuable among many types of “answers” as instant gratifications.

It is impossible to keep it secret. Therefore, I decided to share everything. I mean, “EVERYTHING” so that the culture (People & Stories) won’t be lost. I offer Workshops & Classes with fees to make the culture more sustainable, but it isn’t the requirement to enjoy Sashiko. I want everyone to enjoy Sashiko – and I even “encourage” them to copy & share, with one sincere favor & demand: to articurate where “it” comes from. In 2023, my focus is to speak about the importance of this “Upstream” of the culture (please find an analogy with “River”). I really appreciate those who list this account when they share their own fantastic Sashiko works (They are “beyond” my teaching and all achievements are theirs… I just appreciate them/you for mentioning us).

There is a reason I call what I do as “Teaching”. It isn’t like a workshop “Let’s enjoy Sashiko Together”. Teaching is comprehensive, logical, and therefore meaningful in both technique & understanding (Connecting). That’s what “learning” is, right?





「守る為に隠す」時代は既に終わり、「(全て)公開する」というのが唯一の「守る」方法なのかもしれません。共有すること守るという個人を超えた所での価値観は、戸惑いもありますが慣れてしまうと案外気楽なものです。ここで見聞きすることは全て真似てもらってOKです。それが守る手段なのだから。唯一のお願いは真似た先を明確にしてもらうこと。誰に習い、誰に伝えるかというのが肝心なのだろうと思います。

#Sashiko #刺し子


via IFTTT

March 11, 2023 at 05:27PM

What is “Sashiko” for you? Why do you do Sashiko? In a trend, in a society with Abundant Quantities, Sashiko has become a “Choice”. It is true that we no longer stitch for survival. We have a choice to turn on a space heater when it is cold. However, it is also true that there are people & stories that they hugely & deeply depended on Sashiko to “live”. I am one of those, and the book introduced in the previous post is about them.

You have read & heard about this everywhere… books, lectures, TVs, or even a conversation with friends. [There is no “failure” when we “continue”]. This true statement is teaching us the importance of continuing things – keep “doing” things. An individual who continues will reach their success sooner or later – and it is often credited to them as their individual effort. Here, I would like to mention another part of unsung heroes – those who try to keep (protect/preserve) the stages one can continue “doing”.

I know I will continue doing Sashiko until the day of my life. I have hated Sashiko enough to accept my fate. Therefore, a bit more ambitious, I would like to continue offering a “place” to be together, while learning what Sashiko is. Some can continue doing one thing without any “places” – but it is much easier to do so when we have a “place” to be, to embrace, and even to “go back” after some break of continuity.

12 years after the day – 3/11. I am so proud of them continuing both “doing” and “protecting a place” in Otsuchi (@ootsuchisashikoproject) – they… and we can continue thanks to many support from all over the world.





「継続が大事」。ありふれた言葉ではあるのですが、実際に継続することの難しさは、その言葉の簡単とは比較になりません。言うのは簡単。実行するのは大変。12年。大槌刺し子の歩みは決して楽なものじゃなく、というかまぁ凄く大変だった訳ですが、今現在も存在し且つ継続できているのは本当に本当に凄いことだと思います。「日常の継続」が著書で吉田さんが使った言葉「いとなみ」なのかもしれません。

継続する人が一番凄いのは勿論なのですが、同時に「継続できる居場所を守る人」も存在します。私が目指しているのは、「居場所を守る人」の側。私の場合、刺し子を継続するだけであれば、多分それほど難しくないのです。もう十分に飽きたし嫌いになったので、惰性でもなんでも継続はするんだろうと思います。だからこそ「継続を応援する場所」をしっかりと継続していきたいなと。オンラインでの活動が主ですが、オフラインではきっとこういう笑顔になれると思うから。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #JapaneseSashiko #日本人の刺し子 #大槌刺し子


via IFTTT