#sashikodesign

We are a group of Sashiko artisans after all. While I keet sharing the words, Keiko and her friends keep stitching. Keiko doesn’t really talk much. However, it doesn’t mean that she has less messages. After Covid-19, I want you to see and touch what we makes. It may explain “what Sashiko is for us” 10 times better than reading my words. You may find your Sashiko there, too. ☆ Keiko isn't the only silent voice. I was surrounded by those quiet yet proud Sashiko artisans. They rarely talk in public, yet they never stopped talking off the stage. It is my privilege (once “curse” in the past) to receive those “chatting” - which is now my foundation & wisdom.  ☆ I am NOT here to convince you to agree with me. Using logic & words to argue is already an opposite value-system in Japanese culture. In our culture, we sometimes expect them to “sense” something. It is not a matter of right and wrong. I am NOT saying someone's Sashiko is wrong. I am just here to share what we do - which has the precious word (spirit of sounds) - Sashiko. I am stepping out of my cultural comfortable zone by being logical. I decided to jump into “non-Japanese” field so that I can explain better. It would be difficult to learn what Sashiko is if you decide to jump into “our Japanese” field - because some artisans expect you to “sense” rather than “discuss”. The Japanese ordinary can be more abundant (and messed up) than you may already know - as this Jacket communicates to you.  ☆ - - - ☆ 様々な刺し子の作品や、刺し子の楽しみ方はあれど、こういう刺し子ジャケットを作れるのは、やっぱり恵子さんだなぁと思うのです。何度か僕も挑戦してますが、（まだ）無理。一生無理かも。僕はどうしても言葉に頼りすぎです。でも、昨日書いた事も真実で、まずは議論ができないと話にすらならないのが、僕が移住した先です。一年に数着できる刺し子ジャケット。あと何着世に送り出せるかな。僕の役目は、いかに「継続性と再現性」を確保するかなんです。コロナ禍が落ち着いたら、オフ会したいですね。1年後でも2年後でも、いつか恵子さんの作品に触れてほしいので。 ☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoJacket #SashikoDesign #SustainableFashion #VisibleMending #Patchworking #日本の日常 #刺し子 #刺し子ジャケット https://www.instagram.com/p/CJL0NJvJk-Z/?igshid=1q4us0oumphq

There is no such a thing as “Right and Wrong (rules)” in Sashiko. Similarly, there is no “wrong discussion” here . Well-thought comments are treasure even if it is a disagreement. A discussion implies the “care” for Sashiko. The “Care” is all I am asking.  ☆ However, interestingly, a discussion is almost opposite from the core of Sashiko. A discussion is based on logic and hugely depends on words. Often, the goal of discussion is to form a “decision (mutual understanding)” so the majority can share the definition. In some Japanese culture, the process of discussion was more important than the result. More precisely, “reading between the lines (sensing without discussion)” was the general expectation. In the ordinary (things to do everyday), sensing became more important.  ☆ This explains why I know no discussion about what is “Right and Wrong Sashiko”. There are Sashiko with specific rules (right and wrong) in their jurisdiction, but no one “unify” Sashiko, because they acknowledged (respected) each other. It is NOT my intention to decide what is right Sashiko or not here. I also respect the difference in Sashiko. I just can't let non-native “unify(simplify)” the culture of Sashiko/Boro. Therefore, I speak up. In order to protect, I need to explain in the language non-Japanese would understand. “Logic before Sense” so that I can communicate the importance of sense over logic.  ☆ We are Sashiko artisans after all. We think “Sashiko we make will speak on behalf of us”. It has been true for a long time, but I guess it is time for someone to speak up in a form of discussion. ☆ - - - ☆ 刺し子における「結論を出さなくても満足できる日本的文化」を伝える為の活動な気がしています。前提として、日本の当たり前を当たり前に感じて下さる方のご意見には、正解も間違いもありません。見ている角度が違うだけ。角度が違うというのは学びの場でもあるので、基本、日本人の方のコメントはとても有り難く拝読しています。ではなぜこれほど英語で書くのか。それは英語では議論のみが力を持つからです。「はい、空気読んでくださいねー」というのは通用しません。刺し子が英語圏で不思議な変容をしているのであれば、まずは相手の土俵で、「空気を読ませる議論」を展開する必要があります。それが僕が日々毎日していることなのかもしれません。刺し子したいなぁ（笑） ☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoJacket #SashikoDesign #SustainableFashion #日本の日常 #刺し子 #刺し子ジャケット https://www.instagram.com/p/CJJx2m3pGEJ/?igshid=177oezt3kkcvn

Happy Holidays. Merry Christmas. I wish you many blessings and much happiness. ☆ I thought of taking a day off today in sharing, too. Yet, as always, I started typing and here we go. In addition to that, I have received a photo of Keiko’s latest Jacket (she completes several jackets simultaneously). The beauty (blessings) of Hand-stitching for you.  ☆ Sashiko used to be my “choice”. Therefore, I kept running away from it in my youth. After so many years of struggle, Sashiko became a necessity for me to define who I am (not only what I do). Sashiko is probably a “choice” for most people on this planet. However, it was a form of stitching out of necessity, then transformed to a stitching of shame (humble) and pride (wish).  ☆ It is a big pleasure for me to be able to keep sharing stories here. I believe, by learning the stories (history, mindset, and “whys”), the practice of Sashiko will be more fun & enjoyable. It isn’t just about making beautiful & unique patterns in stitching. Sashiko is more than “how it looks”. ☆ - - - ☆ クリスマス当日まで投稿しなくても……と我ながら苦笑いしつつ、でも、恵子さんから写真が送られてきたら、そりゃやっぱりご紹介はしたくなるわけで。（恵子さんは同時に何個もの制作をします。よって出来上がる時期は、一気に何着/何個かの完成品の写真が届きます。恵子さん曰く、”一つのをずーっとやるのは飽きる”。誰かの配信でも同じことを言ってるはずです）。 ☆ このジャケット。「あれ……どこかでみたことあるような？」と思われた方。大正解です。今年、結構力を入れた柄です。裏話があるのですが、少し長くなってしまうので、個人アカウント@sashiko_dad でご紹介できればと思っています。ここ数日、日本語での文章を書いているのですが、やっぱり日本語は良いなぁと。アホみたいに長い文章を書くのですが、実は「意図的に長くしている文章」なんです。意思伝達だけが目的であれば、短い文章が最適解であることには間違いありません。でも、意思伝達だけだとなんか物足りない……と僕は思うのです。答え見ながらパズルやるのは、完成は早いでしょうが、あまり好きじゃないんですよね（何の話だ？）。 ☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoJacket #SashikoDesign #SustainableFashion #VisibleMending #Patchworking #日本の日常 #刺し子 #刺し子ジャケット https://www.instagram.com/p/CJO3Pi4J2gC/?igshid=xguhdp37zq2r

Many focus on “Patterns & Designs” in Sashiko. So do we. Same as other crafting & arts, it is important to learn the designs in making Sashiko. However, interestingly, the best design on the paper isn’t equal to the best Sashiko item. A top-notch graphic designer’s pattern may not be the best design in Sashiko. I often wonder why. ☆ One of my interpretations is that Sashiko is created by stitches - not by line. A print or a machine-stitch will probably make the top-notch design the best design even on the stitching. However, since they are all hand-stitched, a sophisticated design may not be as good as the simple parallel lines. We are still learning. Some occasionally advise us, “hire the best designer. Their design will make Sashiko more famous”. We aren’t sure about that. Neither of us have education in design/art school, but we have been living with Sashiko for a long time. We are humble to learn something new. At the same time, we are confident to say that Sashiko requires “something” to make it “cool”, “cute”, and “beautiful”.  ☆ Our goal in production is quite simple. We would like to keep making a Sashiko pieces that people would like to have it in their ordinary days. ☆ - - - ☆ 刺し子に長い間関わっていると、「売れる刺し子とは？」という疑問にぶつかることがあります。可愛いもの。カッコいいもの。抽象的ではありますが、「売れるもの」には魅力的な見た目が必要です。当たり前のお話。そこで続く疑問が、「デザインが良ければ売れるのか？」という疑問。雑な答えを先に言ってしまうと、「デザインが良ければ売れる」のですが、そのデザインが刺し子の良さを理解したものじゃないと本末転倒になりかねない。そうすると、次は、「刺し子の良さを活かしたデザインって何？」という終わりなき螺旋に入ります。 ☆ 「刺し子をした布」という平面に限っても、様々な刺し子デザインがあります。素敵なデザインが印刷された布に刺し子を加えるものもあれば、全てのデザイン（柄）を刺し子で表現するものもあります。個人の好みとして収束する議題なのですが、不思議と、「直線だけでもデザインとして成立する」のが刺し子だったりします。すると、そのデザインの大切な一部として、針目があって、その針目が個性を出すんじゃないか……と解釈してみたりするのです。結果、僕も恵子さんも、「欲しいと思ってもらえる刺し子」を作り続けることを目標にしています。デザインを学ぶことは続けながら、でも、デザインだけに頼ることもないように。 ☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoJacket #SashikoDesign #SustainableFashion #日本の日常 #刺し子 #刺し子ジャケット https://www.instagram.com/p/CFZsZBbJAfB/?igshid=m4u3gs6iuyql