#runningstitches

After the Tohoku earthquake and Tsunami, some people in Otsuchi learned about Sashiko. After 10 years, they are still stitching. It is our sincere honor to support the Otsuchi Sashiko Project.  Sashiko Noragi with Traditional Designs Made by @ootsuchisashikoproject with @Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya Estimate production lead time: 12 months. MSRP: $3,000.00 and up.  Completely one of a kind Jacket.  Power of hand-stitching. Pray for Japan, with you. 大槌刺し子プロジェクトの皆様の、手仕事の刺し子を繋ぎ合わせて作られた野良着です。10年目の今日を迎えて、これからも引き続き手仕事を楽しむ皆様を応援して行けたらと思うのです。 ☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #RunningStitches #OtsuchiSashiko #SashikoJacket #SashikoStitching #SashiCo #KeikoFutatuya  #刺し子 #日本の刺し子 　 https://www.instagram.com/p/CMR8ZgRnMdD/?igshid=1dz6rn0mhj006

It was interesting to read many comments on the previous post (1/23) about “Is Sashiko really Little Stabs?”. The replies from Japanese were “Oh, I didn’t know how Sashiko is translated lik that” and “I think Sashiko is the word for “a person''. Interesting, but my worries reside here. ☆ I personally like the translation as “Little Stabs”. I enjoyed other interpretations such as “Child of Stitches” and “Stitches as our children”. They are beautiful. The issue is, however, some Japanese are not aware of the English translation of Sashiko as “Little Stabs”, yet the non-Japanese believe that the “Little Stabs” is the correct & absolute definition of Sashiko. Isn’t the “Cultural Repainting” happening already here? ☆ Again, I am NOT accusing the translation as “Little Stabs”. I just want to know the story of its translation - why Sashiko became “Little Stabs”. If it comes from wisdom & their intentions, I would like to pass the stories down. If it comes from ignorance (intentional or unintentional), then it is important to learn the fact, and then share “Little Stabs” is merely an interpretation of many possibilities. I may be the one who used “Little Stabs'' for Sashiko first in 1998...so, I feel responsible, too. The continuous learning is very important in this “freedom” world.  ☆ - - - ☆ 先日の刺し子の英訳（Little Stabs?）に関して、沢山のご感想ありがとうございました。刺し子が英語圏で、「小さな針目」と英訳されていることは、個人的には素敵だと思っています。同時に、刺し子を「刺す子（人）」と認識していらっしゃる方が多いというのは、とても嬉しい発見でした。なかなか深く考える機会はないですから。 ☆ 正解はわかりません（笑）ただ、一つ怖いのは、日本国内で正解が明確ではないのに、英語圏では「小さな針目」が定義として正義を持ってしまっていることなんです。「刺し子はLittle Stabsでしょ？何が問題なの？」と。どこかでズレてしまったんです。 ☆ このズレを意図的に作った方がいるのであれば、お話を伺いたい。学びたい。「意訳」そのものは素敵なことですし、刺し子をLittle Stabsと訳す際に思いがあるのであれば、それも一緒に紹介できると思います。ただ逆に、刺し子も日本文化も表面だけを学んだ人が、”なんとなく”で、「小さい針目」として新しい正解を作ってしまっているとしたら……文化はそこで違うものになってしまいませんか？日本人ですら正解がわからないのに、日本語圏から出たら、そこには正解があるって……変じゃない？これは「正解が必ず必要」な西洋の文化に由来しています。また声が大きい人が正義になるという社会構造からもきています。だからこそ、少しだけでも僕の声を大きくしようかなと思っているところなのです。 ☆ #Sashiko #RunningStitches #LittleStabs #SashikoStitching #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoStory #LearnSashiko #刺し子 https://www.instagram.com/p/CKZIRDZplJv/?igshid=9b5k99f40lb7

A question I received: “Can I stitch like you do after taking your Sashiko Class?”. The answer is “Yes”, with following me saying “as long as you won’t give up”. I will not give up teaching you on my end.  ☆ Can one stitch like us after registering the class? No, I am not a magician.  Can one stitch like us after watching the videos? Well, probably not. I am not that good at teaching yet. Can one stitch like us after following the videos? Probably yes. Some people get the rhythm after a few hours ☆ I am quite confident that, when one keeps practicing, you will be able to stitch like we do. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here teaching after 3 years. Sashiko is very simple (but not shallow). Therefore, it is just a matter of learning the muscle memory. If one has a strong muscle memory now, it may take a bit more time to unlearn & learn new posture, but it is absolutely possible. ☆ It may be like riding a bicycle. Most of us can ride a bicycle if they practice enough. Some get it for the first time. Others may need to fall down many times. I am here to teach how to avoid some of the unnecessary pains. ☆ - - - ☆ 英語圏で時々頂く（本気なんだか冗談なんだかわからない）質問。「オンラインクラスを受講すれば、Youtubeでの配信の時のような運針ができますか？」というもの。答えは勿論、「Yes」です。誰でも運針ができるようになると信じているから、お教えしているわけで。ただ条件が付きます。「諦めなければ」。 ☆ ただ、何年もかかるような修行とは違い、早い人だと数時間でコツを掴んでおられます。英語では「録画した動画を見て事前に学んでからオンラインで確認をする」という方法を取っているので、「ビデオを見る」段階で諦めてしまう人もいらっしゃるようで。これは僕もそうなのですが、忙しいのを理由に、「購入した段階でできた気になってしまう」ことがあるのですよね。何事も反復練習が一番大切なのです。反省です。自戒の念も込めて。「運針習ってから、運針続けてればいつか必ずできるようになりますよ！」と。 ☆ #Sashiko #RunningStitches #OnlineSashikoClass #SashikoWorkshop #SashikoStitching #JapaneseSashiko #Unshin #LearnSashiko #刺し子 #運針会 https://www.instagram.com/p/CK38OA7p_Di/?igshid=7rukpslsce0j

Umm… I cannot make a new post with captions on the business account (@upcyclestitches). Anyone have the same issue?  ☆ I introduced a concept of “守破離 (Shuhari)” yesterday. In most of Japanese practice, there is a “basic format” so called “型 (Kata)”. Kata can be “form”, “model”, and even “mold”. Shuhari is a concept of breaking the Kata after a certain amount of practice with Kata. As similar to other Japanese practice, our Sashiko has this “Kata” as well - both the physical form as well as the mindset (model of how to think). I am a big believer of “creativity”. However, I hope that “freedom” is based on “something structured” instead of “whatever”. ☆ I teach Sashiko Online (with videos & Live Session) to share this “Kata”. I ask everyone to take this Online Class to learn more about our Sashiko - since the common understanding of “Kata” is fundamental in learning. If you are serious in Sashiko, please consider taking the Online Sashiko Class. You will get a “Kata” that you can use for your entire life. It isn’t difficult, but it isn’t shallow either. I am looking forward to sharing our Sashiko with you (link available from profile). ☆ - - - ☆ 守破離という昔大好きだった言葉を思い出して、改めて「型」について考えてみました。刺し子においても「型」は存在します。型と言える程の大げさなものではないかもしれませんが、考え方含め、「知っておくべきもの」はあると思っています。そんな僕が受け取った「型」を、一度僕なりの纏め方をして数時間に纏めたものが、「運針会」です。刺し子は簡単ですが、薄っぺらいものではありません。運針会で皿型指ぬきを使う、一生モノの運針はお教えできるんじゃないかなぁと思っています。3月27日（土）の朝9時から4時間弱の運針会を検討しています。来週中には受付を締切る予定です。是非ご参加頂けたら嬉しいです！刺し子の運針ができるようになるまで（なった後もだけど）、お付き合いさせて頂きます！詳細はプロフィールのリンクから（英語の後にあります）ご覧頂くか、DMをお送り下さいませ！ ☆ #Sashiko #RunningStitches #OnlineSashikoClass #SashikoWorkshop #SashikoStitching #JapaneseSashiko #Unshin #LearnSashiko #刺し子 #運針会 #刺し子の運針 https://www.instagram.com/p/CMXKPCyJkVS/?igshid=1xadgrb7ig2xo

I admire the confidence. Celebrating one's own achievement (ability) is very important. However, the Japanese are not good at complimenting themselves. They sometimes are (too) humble (to extend it is “rude”.) It is essential to understand how Japanese culture is different when you enjoy the Sashiko. ☆ Let me share a joke. A stereotypical reply when each American & Japanese is asked with a question if they can speak and/or teach Japanese/English. The question was asked “in English”. ★American: “Oh, I can speak Japanese. I will teach you. Sushi, Tempura, and Ninja!” ★Japanese: “Oh, I am so sorry that I cannot speak English. I would dare not to think about teaching English. I am sorry. (replying this in English).” ☆ I am not talking about which reply is good or bad. I am sharing the difference in “confidence” and “teaching”. It took over 15 years for me to be okay with teaching Sashiko, and I will never say the learning of Sashiko is completed within my teaching. My teaching is merely a start of the Sashiko. Can you imagine how “shallow” it looks to me when someone says “This is all you need!” by reading a book or taking a class…? I know Japanese culture is kind of “messed-up” both in a good and bad way. However… it is indeed “deep”. Therefore, I ask, please “TRY” to learn it when you would like to use the word associated with the culture. All I am asking is “try”. I will speak up against the “intentional ignorance” for their convenience. ☆ - - - ☆ 刺し子好きな方々と話をしていて思うのは、本当に皆さん、謙虚だなと。ただ、同時に、その謙虚さが刺し子を彩る大切な要素のひとつな訳で。 ☆ 米国で上手に世渡りをする為には「自信」が大切です。根拠がなくても自信は必要。すると「できる」というハードルが下がるんです。「できる」というハードルが下がると、教えるのも気軽に始められる。時々、なんか浅いなぁと残念に思ってしまうのは、そこに理由があったりします。英語で書いたジョーク、また配信でお伝えしますね。 ☆ #Sashiko #RunningStitches #OnlineSashikoClass #SashikoWorkshop #SashikoStitching #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoStory #Unshin #LearnSashiko #刺し子   https://www.instagram.com/p/CKl5fEEpsh6/?igshid=qvrhmnt2cqyw

A Criticism I received the other day: “After reading & watching your contents, what I learned was  ‘all you want is money.’” Well, where to begin. At least, the contents the person watched were for free. Oy Vey. ☆ Yes, I sincerely want you to learn Sashiko from us. I realize the Sashiko introduced in English isn’t a whole - not wrong, but insufficient. However, I don’t “beg” anyone to take my class (not yet, thanks to many supports). We all have different styles of learning. Some may learn better by just watching. So I share hours of unedit versions of my stitching. I will do my sincere best if one decides to take the Online Sashiko Class.  ☆ “Whom to learn from” is up to preference. I understand the need for “spoon-feeding”. Some may prefer a teacher who brings everything to their mouth. It isn’t just my (or Japanese) style. Regardless of any style of learning, I have advice (for you) as a Sashiko artisan (not a teacher) who has spent a lot of time learning Sashiko. When you choose a teacher, make sure they explain what they “can’t” and “don’t”. There is a significant difference between “Can’t” and “Don’t”. Sashiko is a pretty vague category to teach “everything”. Learn not only the technique but also the reasons behind. A long established culture usually has stories for “why” - Why Sashiko thread? Why no knots? Why stitching from the back? Anyone can be a teacher of anything in today’s society. Therefore, it is up to us(learners) to choose the future. And, yes, it would be great if you could take my Sashiko Online Class :D ☆ - - - ☆ ワークショップ等を開催して僕の目からみる刺し子を英語で伝えるようになって、「教えること」の大切さを実感するようになりました。とはいえ、日本語圏での刺し子だと、「好きなように針を動かせばいい」と思っているのは変わりないのですが、英語圏で日本をそれほど知らないだろう方が「刺し子はこうあるべきだ」と断定している文章を読むと、「伝えること」の大切さを感じるのです。言い換えると、「答え（正義）」が必要な文化圏で、「押し付けない文化」を紹介することの難しさです。極論、「押し付けてくれ」って言われている訳なのでね。そういう意味では、非日本語圏では、「私から学んで下さい」と大きな声を出せるようになりたいなと思うのです。 ☆ #Sashiko #RunningStitches #OnlineSashikoClass #SashikoWorkshop #SashikoStitching #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoStory #Unshin #LearnSashiko #刺し子 #運針会 https://www.instagram.com/p/CKWfCMEJhhG/?igshid=1tti5b65ql5vo

“Sashiko (刺し子, lit., "little stabs") ”. Wikipedia introduces Sashiko as “Little Stabs”. I introduced Sashiko as “Little Stabs” in my workshop until 2020 & in my Online Class (Working on Update). So, yes, translating Sashiko to Little Stabs isn’t wrong. However, I started wondering, is it really accurate in communicating what Sashiko is? My impression is, unfortunately, “Well, it may cause some misunderstanding”. ☆ I remember using “Little Stabs” in helping my father to translate their business in 1998, when I was a high school student. I do not remember if I referenced an article/book, or I even came up with it from my brain. It has been more than 20 years since. Well, regardless, when I look at it now with better English understanding, the word 刺し子 doesn’t equal to Little Stabs. The “Stabs” part is fine - 刺し means stab or stitch. The strange part is “子 - Ko”. It doesn’t mean “small” much. It means a child, or a woman (and many other, but not “small”). So, I start feeling that the straight translation of Sashiko will be “A woman who stitches”.  ☆ I am still learning. I am not afraid of correcting my message because I believe there is no such a thing as “Right and Wrong” in Sashiko. I am just trying to “add” the voices so that “we” can find the whole picture together. (I talked about this topic in Sashiko Live Streaming on Jan.21st. Check SashiCo Channel on Youtube). ☆ - - - ☆ 先日の配信でも少し触れたのですが、刺し子の英訳に少し疑問を感じるようになりました。英語圏で刺し子が紹介される時は、「Little Stabs (小さい針目）」と表現されることが多いのですが（ウィキペディアにもそう書いてある）、ふと、この「小さい」っていう表現はどこからきたのだろう……と。確かに見た目は小さい針目なので、間違いじゃないんです。ただ、「子」という文字には、小さいという意味は本来ないはずで、子供とか「人」とかっていう意味の方が強いはず。そう考えると、逆説的にはなるのですが、もしかしたら刺し子って、「刺す人」を表現していた言葉なのかなぁと思ったり。まだまだ勉強中です。もしLittle Stabsの語源等ご存知の方がいたら、ご教授頂けますと大変嬉しいです。 ☆ #Sashiko #RunningStitches #LittleStabs #SashikoStitching #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoStory #LearnSashiko #刺し子 https://www.instagram.com/p/CKT_cDsJ_Mu/?igshid=1645cc0288605

I sincerely appreciate your continuous support by choosing us your Sashiko supplier. As much as I would love to share the photos & projects every day, it is a strange time for me to be on top of everything. I hope the school will start soon and will have a little bit more time to update what I am preparing. Starting this week and toward the last week of August, the shipping from our store, Upcycle Stitches, may take an extra day or so. I usually make a shipment arrangement within 24 hours after I receive the order. However, since I need to homeschool my daughter until the school starts, please allow me to have a possibility to make a shipment in a few days - not in 24 hours. ☆ There are so many projects going on with my mother in @Sashi.Co, yet I don’t have time to either translate or describe in words and share. I will introduce them one by one, and once the logistics between Japan and the U.S. via Japan Post get normalized, then I will start offering everything we have been preparing. This pattern is one of those - if you are inspired by Keiko’s Sashiko work, you may have seen it before. ☆ It is our goal to share the Sashiko we practice - this mission includes not only sharing the techniques & stories, but also encouraging the Sashiko stitchers to enjoy stitching. Please keep us following so I can share the latest update. Your voice to others will be very much appreciated as well - our business is hugedly depending on the word of mouths instead of mass-marketing strategy. Enjoy Sashiko! ☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #RunningStitches #Indigo #JapaneseFabric #Vintage #SashikoJacket #SashikoStitching #UpcycleStitches #SashiCo #KeikoFutatuya #刺し子 #日本の刺し子 https://www.instagram.com/p/CDO64CKJINu/?igshid=1hs1yc39b6gvf