March 08, 2023 at 08:26PM

今日もお知らせです。An English Caption Follows the Japanese again. After this, it will go back to normal.

昨日の「刺し子の展示会」に続いてのお知らせです。明日から英語中心の投稿に戻ります。さて、私の”今”の刺し子の原点でもある「大槌刺し子」の”いとなみ”が、尊敬する英治出版様 (@eijipress) より本になりました。私が娘を背負って育児をしながら、今回の著者の真衣ちゃんとスカイプ越しに沢山の話をしたのは良い思い出です。刺し子のハウツー本ではありません。写真集でもない。むしろ「働き方」という観点の本です。でも、きっと大切な何かが見つかると思います。

大槌刺し子を通して向き合うことになった「刺し子ってなんだろう?」という真摯で真っ直ぐで不器用な思いは、これまでも沢山文章にしてきました。今後も書き続けるのだろうと思います。ただ、「”なぜ”私が刺し子と携わっているのか」という根本的な思いは、あまり言葉にしてきていません。それは転換期がとても個人的で苦しくて、でも大切な時間だったという理由の他に、「一部だけを切り取られたくないから」という願いがあるからです。2時間の講演のお時間を頂けるのであれば、全体像は語ることができるし、これまでも何回か機会は頂いてきました。でも、文章ではどこをどう切り取られるかわからない。だから、できるだけ避けてきました。「刺し子家業に生まれたから」という道ではなく、そこには「大槌刺し子」で得た覚悟が存在していて、その覚悟が今の礎になっていて。今回の出版に関しても丁寧にお話を聞いて下さいました。

何がそれほど強烈だったのか。大槌刺し子の運営母体、認定NPO法人テラ・ルネッサンス(@terra_ngo)の皆様の活動や思いに感銘を受けたと言うのが短いまとめですが、彼らの刺し子への思いと活動に核があります。アフリカでの子供兵問題を中心に平和教育活動をされているNPOが、なぜ、どうやって、そしてこれまで大槌刺し子を継続してこられているか。「想い」を中心に、私たちの願いや思いも記して下さっています。編集者の方の力ではあるのですが、逆に「こんなこと載せていいのか?」と言う個人的なことまで書いて下さっています(笑)。ま、著者も出版社もOKなので私が心配することじゃないですね。ゲラを読んだ時には、ふと涙が溢れてきました。綺麗なことを文章にしがちですが、キツイ時間の方が多かったから。そんな10年という途方もない継続が記されています。是非お手に取って頂けたら嬉しいです。「いとなみを取り戻す」3/18発売予定です。感想聞かせて下さい!





Well. This is NOT my book – but the project I had spent a good amount of time on, [Otsuchi Sashiko], published a book – not a book with “How to” or “Technique” of Sashiko – it is their 10 years of Stories with Sashiko. I share my stories with Otsuchi Sashiko in Workshops, Classes, and Webinars. This book is another side of stories from them – how we continue Sashiko even today. It is in Japanese, but if you can read it, please do so. It explains the Sashiko we pray for pretty well.

Learning “How To” is important. However, that “how to” may create someone’s pain, especially when it is done by “someone” who does not live in the same culture. Sashiko introduced in English (by books/workshops/videos) are not wrong, but insufficient. I hope one day I can publish a book to elaborate on it.

#Sashiko #刺し子 #大槌刺し子


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March 07, 2023 at 08:23PM

An English Caption Follows the Japanese today.

2023年4月19日から22日の間、東京の月島の「元氣カフェ様(@genkicafe_and_gallery)」の場所をお借りして、刺し子の展示会を開催します。恵子さんが作った作品や、「運針会」を中心としてご縁を頂いて一緒に作った作品等をご紹介する4日間になればと思っています。ガラスケースと煌びやかな照明の中で輝く刺し子ではなく、日本人の生活の一部だっただろう刺し子を知って感じて頂けたらと、ご縁を頂いたこのカフェで、恵子さんが1月に伺って即断してきた場所で、展示会を開催できること、心より嬉しく思っております。詳細は次のウェブサイトからご確認下さい。https://ift.tt/WtVCmA4

2014年。母(恵子さん)とその息子(私)で再始動した刺し子と生きる日々の中で、なんとか刺し子を現実的に継続をしていけるだけの循環は作ろうと必死になってきました。配信やSNSを通して、少しずつ私等の存在を知って頂き、また激動の変化の中、Zoom越しの運針会等、オンラインを中心に沢山の素敵なご縁を頂いてきました。運針をお伝えし、「刺し子ってなんだろう?」と一緒に考えていく中で、私達が祈りを込める刺し子をご紹介できていれば幸いです。そんなオンラインで頂いたご縁を、オフラインで繋ぐ機会が、今回の「運針会&二ツ谷恵子の刺し子展」です。恵子は在廊しております。フリーの時間も作ってあるので、是非お話に来て頂ければ。私は4月21日のオフ会に合わせて午後に合流する予定です。ちなみにですが、展示作品に触れて頂くことも可能です。刺し子の残り香というか、その刺し子の息吹を感じて頂けたら何よりです。

刺し子展示会開催中に、簡単なものではありますがワークショップも企画しております。こちらは約1ヶ月前の3月19日の朝10時頃に予約開始できたらと思っています。野良着全体の手刺しの刺し子。そして、様々な刺し子を素敵なご縁によって形にできた刺し子展示会で、また素敵なご縁と繋がれますように。





This is an announcement for Keiko & her friends [Sashiko Exhibition] in Tokyo between 4/19 to 4/22 in Tsukishima Old Town. (For the details, please check the website above). This isn’t an exhibition where “Art” shines under the bright LED & behind the crystal clear glass. This is an opportunity to feel & see the Sashiko that we believe that they were a part of the Japanese Ordinary & application to today’s society. Naturally, the visitor can touch the Sashiko pieces. For us, Sashiko isn’t Art to only display – it is fabric & garment – so they become their best shape when they are touched, or even “used” for that matter.

Unfortunately, most of the exhibition contents are in Japanese, but I will take photos while visiting the exhibition as a part of “Sashiko Japan Trip 2023”. We sincerely appreciate those (you) for supporting us to make this happen. Next goal is to make this happen in USA…or anywhere in the world…?

#Sashiko #sashikoexhibition #Japanesesashiko #刺し子 #展示会 #二ツ谷恵子 #keikofutatsuya #運針会刺し子展示会


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March 06, 2023 at 09:26PM

“Story” isn’t only for entertainment – it often comes with wisdom. Stories carry the reasons for what we continuously have today. In other words, something long-lasting always has a “Story” to share. I shared the importance of the needle on @UpcycleStitches . A story tells why I use our needles.

I saw a discussion of “Good Needle for Sashiko” saying “I like this needle because it has a large eye”. Sure, easiness can be one reason to pick, but I want them to think why then not all the needles have large eyes. Sashiko was a form of stitchery for survival – stitching in harsh conditions with limited resources. The Japanese stitched to make fabric stronger & more durable. This philosophy continues even when we have more “choice” – so our Sashiko is based on the idea of making fabric stronger. See? This short summary already tells the reason for our needle with extremely small eyes (almost the same thickness of the threads). A needle with a large eye “could” end up with damaging the fabric more instead of making the fabric stronger. Therefore, the needle has the eye size of the thickness of the thread & needle body. “Easiness” is an important aspect to keep culture. However, it doesn’t explain the whole. There is a huge difference between “Can’t” and “Don’t”. I want you (them) to have choices rather than limiting their choices by focusing on easiness.

Stories are important – and therefore, the name matters. There are people behind the words. Freedom of individual choice is very important. I agree. I just would like to ask, though. Is it really a choice among many stories behind the culture, or just the only choice we have? All I do is to offer “choices” so we do not need to suffer from “No more choices” in the future.





刺し子の原点は「布の補強&保温」だと思っています。布が簡単に手に入らなかった時代、限られた布を大切に使う為に発展してきた針仕事を刺し子という通り名で読んでいるんだろうと思っています。当時は布を手に入れることすら難しかったわけで、現代のように素敵で使いやすい道具が手に入らなかったと想像します。ただそれは、現代に生きる私達が「どんな材料でも道具でも良いや」というのはまた違います。選択肢がある私達だからこそ、その当時の人々の思いに想像を広げながら、改良改善を繰り返してきた道具や材料の「物語(とその理由)」を知ることが大切なんだろうなと思っています。「改善」は日本の文化であり、英語にすらなっています。KAIZENが当たり前の人達なんて、素晴らしいじゃないですか。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #Japanesesashiko #日本人の刺し子


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March 04, 2023 at 10:55PM

Sashiko amplifies the significance of “current moment” – and therefore, Sashiko can represent who the stitcher is. One of my hopes in sharing Sashiko is to be like a “mirror”. Instead of offering (or even imposing) you the “Correct Answers”, I want them to face the “answers” they already have. In today’s society where we do not have to worry about “surviving for tomorrow” much, “choices” are the key to find who we are.

Well. A choice is challenging as we all look for the “Right Choice”. When we worry about the “future”, we simultaneously make the past with satisfaction or regret. Again, in today’s society, it is quite difficult to focus on the moment we have now – but Sashiko often enables us to do so.

We all have our value: If you are reading this in English, you probably have “Western Value” or have an ability to understand it. In my teaching, “I” learned how different Sashiko can be from Western values. I am very happy that I can offer something different – so please keep learning. One day, you will find a mirror for yourself.





長年私達のアカウントをフォロー下さっている方であれば、この投稿をみて、「ん?」と思われたかもしれません。そう、ななさん (@na.na_45) の刺し子です。結構前に頂いた写真です。ななさんのReelをみながら、昔を思い出して実際に針目をみて楽しんでいました。手仕事だから当たり前のことなのかもしれませんが、刺し子は「刺す人」によって全く違う表情を見せてくれます。もっと言うと、刺している人の深層心理というか、鏡というか、自分でも気がつかないことを気がつかせてくれたり、はたまた刺し子の時間の本音の部分を引き出してくれたり…と、なかなかに面白いのです。

「刺し子と生きる」と覚悟を決めた時から、なんとなく自分の立ち位置というのは「鏡」的な役割を果たす事にあるんじゃないだろうかと思っています。完全に推測のお話なのですが、基本的に「生存」が満たされた現代社会では、「選択」することで明日が変わってきます。でも、何が正しい選択かは悩んでしまう。未来について悩むと、後悔する過去も生成されるわけで、結果的に苦しかったりしてしまう。でも、なんだかんだで、生存が満たされている時点で、もう「正解」は持っているんじゃないかと。ただ、その自分の正解が承認されることへの欲求が強すぎて、正解を正解として見つめられないんじゃないかと。

大きな話とたかが刺し子ですが、私が刺し子で伝えたいのは、「今瞬間の答え」なのかもしれません。刺し子をする事により自分を見つめ直すことができる…そんな立ち位置を見つけられたら嬉しいです。ま、「何も考えない刺し子」という王道も存在するんですけどね。ほら、私は面倒臭いことで知られている人間なので(考えちゃうのです)。

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


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March 03, 2023 at 03:43PM

The lecture in Quiltcon 2023 was one big challenge for me. You could probably tell my challenge from the title: [Japanese Sashiko Today as Cultural Sustainability]. One possible way of composing the lecture is based on “Show & Tell”. I believe it would have been one good lecture as well. However, I decided to focus on “Delivering the message via Sashiko” on top of sharing the basic information of what Sashiko is. I hope that the message was somewhat delivered – and I will keep offering the similar lecture online & whenever I am asked to do so.

At the end of the lecture, I hinted at my recent idea for the difference between “Quilting” and “Sashiko”. From a stitchery point of view, there aren’t many differences – however, I found one significant difference from a cultural (and historial) perspective. I shared my tentative idea toward the end of the lecture, and I will do so on the Youtube Live Streaming next week (March.10th at 9 pm EST).

It is quite interesting that the message I wanted to deliver & the idea toward the difference between Quilting and Sashiko correspond to each other. The fundamental difference may be rooted in our belief, philosophy, or even “religions” that I try not to talk about here, yet influence can be significant. Therefore, I would like (need) to keep sharing the stories besides those who share instant & easy answers that sounds so comfortable to anyone regardless of the differences – I love Sushi without raw-fish in States, but the culture of Sushi won’t be whole when one ignore the stories of raw-fish – if one titles them as specialist (in Sushi), they need to eat it even if it makes them uncomfortable.

Well. Enough with analogy. I hope this will become “mind food” for you to enjoy “thinking”. I will try to talk about it in the next Live Streaming.





「西洋のキルトと日本の刺し子」。様々な先生方がキルトも刺し子もご紹介されているので、詳細は省きますが、ふと「文化的」な観点から考えて、一つ決定的な違いがあるのかもしれないなと思うようになりました。この違いは一方しか持てないという極端なものではなく、その中間にどれだけでも形がある違いです。その違い、来週の配信で少しお話ができたらと思っています。もう話したかもですが、改めて、頭を整理しながら。次回の講演を頂けるとしたら、この話がしたいんですよねぇ。

#Sashiko #Quilt #刺し子 #キルト


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March 02, 2023 at 11:11AM

As you may know, I set a limit on the number of workshops I offer every year. It is my sincere pleasure to be invited to many places & I wish I could go… but I prioritize being a “Sashiko Practitioner” rather than being a “Sashiko Teacher”. There are tons of things I learn from teaching, but again, my teaching will not be valid when I do not stitch in my ordinary… Well, more honestly speaking, I just want my time to stitch for myself. I like Sashiko after all.

For the year of 2023, I have 2 more workshops planned as of now. One in Stuart, FL, in April (Apr. 1-3) with @ayafiberstudio , and another in Auburn, NY (Oct. 6-8) with @schweinfurthart . Our Sashiko workshops are often fully booked in advance, but I learned that there are a few seats available for the one in Florida. For the workshop registration in FL, please visit Aya Fiber Studio (www.ayafiberstudio.com) & read the details. It is about a month from now.

After challenging years in Covid with developing the Online Sashiko Class to keep sharing the Sashiko we practice, I am now confident that I can offer the same experience both In-Person & Online. One of the things I cannot do in Online, unfortunately, is the opportunity for them to touch what we make. Our Sashiko “talks” – and many feel “something” in it. I know it is just a piece of fabric & garment… but I am very proud of what we make via sharing the stories & “something” in it.

When we have a chance, I invite Online Sashiko Class students to meet, either in my city (Lewisburg), or anywhere I go. They are always available for them. So, you/they will not miss anything by taking the Online Sashiko Class. I offer throughout support (and therefore I also set a limit on the numbers of participants). I just find the experience of sharing “something” together is one big treat for In-Person Workshop. I am looking forward to meeting you in FL, in NY, and also somewhere at some points via Online. Thank you.





「恵子さん&運針会の皆様」の展示会において開催予定のワークショップ、段々と形になってきました。なんだかんだ言って恵子さんがワークショップをすることは珍しいのです。というのも、本人があまり教えることに自信を持っていないから。それでも「好きなように刺し子を楽しむのが一番」という恵子さんの思いが伝わる時間になったら良いなと思っています。詳細は予約ページができてからご紹介差し上げますね!

#Sashiko #刺し子 #SashikoWorkshop #刺し子ワークショップ


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March 01, 2023 at 08:34AM

I understand “Culture” as “A Big River” nearby us. Everyone nearby gets benefits from the River to maintain their ordinary. No one owns the River, but the River is for the people & community nearby. It is up to them to think for others, especially those who use the Same River in DownStream. SDGs may be explained as taking care of our River for the people in DownStream.

It is important to be mindful about the River nearby. Also, it is very important to acknowledge where the River Comes from. No matter how we take care of the River nearby, when the upstream is ruined, the whole River can be contaminated. I believe this analogy with River is easy to imagine. The Culture is the same – when we ignore the upstream, the culture nearby, and the culture our children receive will be something different. In culture, it is very important to acknowledge “whom” staking their lives as upstream.

When you learn, please be mindful of whom you are learning from – a good teacher “always” shares their upstream. Even a ‘Self taught’ teacher has upstream they used as resources. It is learners’ responsibility to ask. If you are a Sashiko teacher here, specify the upstream you learned Sashiko from. From the Internet? Youtube? That’s fine. Just clarify what. If you learned Sashiko from our Youtube, then teaching Sashiko & making money, no need to change. Just clarify the upstream. I will NOT ask to pay or stop teaching- my priority is to share the upstream – not control the River nearby. The worst case scenario is the ignorance to the upstream… and it is happening & I can speak up because of “English” by luck.

Our life exists in a flow – past, present and future. It is connected, and I am speaking out on the importance of the “past” so that we can enjoy the “present”, and you can be the “future”.





「刺し子、(私の代わりに)教えて良いと思うよー」と言い続けて早5年。なかなか一歩を踏み出す人は多くないのですが、5年経ってちらほらと「私頑張ってみる」という方が増えてきました。不思議なもので、同時に。様々な葛藤があったのは認めた上で、「自由に教えれば良いよ」と思っています。別にお金も要らない。許可も要らない。運針会に出なくても大丈夫。ただ、私の動画や文章を元に教材を作り教えているのであれば「どこからきた知恵(刺し子)か」を明記して頂ければと思っているだけです。また金曜日の配信でお話しますが、私の活動は「川の上流の守人」のようなものです。上流が変わらなければ、目の前の流れが変わっても、本質は変わりません。ま、文化において上流を守るということの難しさは歴史が証明していますが、できる限りはやってみたいのです。

#Sashiko #刺し子


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February 26, 2023 at 11:15AM

After the lecture, I got a very good question: [What is your dream in Sashiko?]. Is it to be famous in the textile field? Having Fancy Studio & Production? Making Good Money? Publications? Recognition as an Artist? Fame? I had to think about this for a bit – and I said my goal is that I can keep the Same Sashiko 10 years, and 30 years from now in the way I enjoy today. Everything else I mentioned above (like money & fame) are all means to make my dream come true. Even a small dream of having my own studio (or a space) for Sashiko is a vehicle – my dream is that I can do the exact same thing in the future – therefore, I want to share the Stories.

A “Craft” culture doesn’t end when a craftsman or an artisan decides to quit their activities. Here, in the same logic, Sashiko Culture does NOT end when I (or we) decide to quit Sashiko. However, I can say for sure that the Sashiko Culture I practice will end when the artisans who indirectly support me become the Sashiko Artisan (like makers of threads, needles, thimble, and fabric who are also the artisans). To support them back somehow is the indirect dream to make my direct dream (of keeping my Sashiko as is) for the long-going future.

One may say they don’t need a thimble. It is a true statement for them. However, for me, keeping the stories & technique how significant “the thimble” is will support the artisans & the Sashiko in my future. I guess I am pretty self-centered and I am very particular in what I want. I just want to keep stitching the way I do today – and I would like to have the same tools, supplies and mindset that I have today. Unfortunately, the Sashiko introduced in English is optimized for Western Teaching & Audience. They aren’t wrong, but not enough. I will keep sharing the Stories as well as our Sashiko so that we can have the same “Addictive Fun” in 10 years & 100 years.





何百人という方にお話をする機会を頂いた後に、とても純粋な感じで「淳の刺し子の夢は何ですか?」と。有名になること?本を出すこと?お金持ちになること?認められること?…何が夢ですか、と。少し考えて出た言葉が「刺し子を続けていたい」でした。不思議な顔をされたので、「刺し子を続ける為には、その道具や材料を作ってくれる人も必要だから」と説明しながら、結局はそうなんだろうなと。30年後も今日と同じように刺し子をする為に、今頑張ってるんだなと。一番になりたいとか特別になりたいという野望は強くありません。ただただ、自分の核にある刺し子を、大切に思う友人達とずーっと続けていけたらと願っています。

#Sashiko #刺し子


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February 25, 2023 at 12:11PM

Until the year of 2011, I wanted to “end” the Sashiko I was with. For me, it was a chain of negativity back then. After 12 years, I had an honor to present the Sashiko I have received – as the culture I am so proud of. I really appreciate the kind & warm audience today. I was so nervous that I don’t remember what I said in the lecture (The script I prepared & practiced was kind of meaningless…). However, I hope I could communicate the significance of “Acceptance” in Japanese culture & Sashiko. I plan to offer the same(?) lecture online in May. Please wait for an update for this.

The title of the lecture was [Cultural Sustainability] – I specifically used this word. I asked if anyone thought of the [Cultural Appropriation] by finding this title. A majority of people raised their hand… yet they came to listen to my lecture. It is the biggest pleasure that they care although it could be something uncomfortable to hear for non-Japanese.

Long-story short. You know my summary when you follow this account long enough. I “encourage” you to call your stitching Sashiko (only if you want) under one condition – “acknowledgement (of the stories behind the word of Sashiko)”. I sincerely hope that we can keep communicating to find out “our” – “my” – and “your” Sashiko together.

I studied so much to come to the States to college – the motivation was to “evacuate” from Sashiko. Now, in order to preserve the Sashiko we practice, I am using English. English itself is a great power – if I weren’t speaking English, this lecture wouldn’t be happening. It may look like a big detour – but it is true that there is nothing “waste” in our lives – the importance of acceptance. DM me or tag me if you had changce to say hello after the lecture – As much as this is “Instagram”, I would like to be connected & would like to keep in touch!

Big thanks to my family for allowing me to do this – and using them in some jokes. Next time, (I hope) I will not reuse the same jokes!!





えー。想定を超えてました。はい。「レクチャーやったらいいやん!」というお誘いに乗ったは良いのですが、会場の広さは聞いてませんでした。人前で話すことが苦手な訳ではないんですが…少し想定の斜め上でした。吐きそうでした。何かが伝わっていれば嬉しいなぁ(カンペ見る余裕もなく、覚えた台本なんか全部吹っ飛び…これはもう練習が必要です)。

#Sashiko #刺し子 #quiltcon2023


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February 24, 2023 at 06:02AM

I get nervous when I have a workshop/lecture. It doesn’t matter the size, duration, to whom, and even Online or In-person. Everytime I face people who are eager to learn, I get so nervous that I cannot eat anything while (and before) teaching. One cause of this nervousness is “fear to fail”. I am afraid of failing it – here, I guess it is to meet their expectation.

Many encourage me that I will do well. I appreciate that. As I have been teaching Sashiko for 5 years to almost 1K people, I know what I am doing, but I get nervous. For me, a workshop/a lecture may be one of many opportunities to share the Sashiko – however, for the person there, it can be “the opportunity”. I always ask them to keep in touch, wishing & encouraging them to keep Sashiko. However, when I fail to communicate, then the workshop may be their last (for that, their only one) opportunity to stitch. Unfortunately, I don’t know other Japanese Sashiko teachers teaching in a conference setting in English – so, I cannot say that someone will cover for my lousy job (I am wishing someone from my workshops to be a teacher, too). So, I get one shot to make my hope come true. That’s why I get nervous, and I think it is a good thing. I feel the strong responsibility in sharing the Sashiko.

Sashiko has become something “different” in English. It is too late to share what Sashiko is without any discomfort. I write/tell something uncomfortable for those who think they know about Sashiko already. However, it is never too late to share. I really appreciate the number of organizations that arrange a workshop/lecture for me. I limit myself to offer 4~7 in-person workshops per year (The next one is in FL, 4/1 to 4/3). Today another Workshop. Tomorrow, the very first Lecture, in #QuiltCon2023.

Until tomorrow, I am extremely intense for the reasons above. I may look inaccessible… so, if you see me in the afternoon tomorrow on QuiltShow, please say hi to me! I maybe braindead by that, but I am happy to meet new “stitching crazy” friends!





このデニム、あまり配信等では紹介していないのですが、毎回のワークショップのお供をしてくれているデニムです…→→→久々に投稿の文字上限に引っかかったので、日本語はコメント欄に記載します!普段推敲で文字数を減らしているのですが、今日は頭が働かん(笑!)

#Sashiko #刺し子 #quiltcon


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