Has anyone realized that our entity name has no word “Sashiko” in it? Keiko’s project name is “Sashi.Co” and my company’s name is “Upcycle Stitches”. There are reasons behind it. We carefully choose the name without “Sashiko”, and it is our way to pay respect to Sashiko. I know it isn’t the best idea in “marketing strategy”. However, advertising ourselves as if we are “the (only) Sashiko” is against the Japanese aesthetic. ☆ From all of my 30+ years of experience in Sashiko, I came to a conclusion that “No one should(can) own Sashiko”. When I started sharing the Sashiko in English, I already knew the potential of my voice - I don’t know many Japanese-Native Sashiko artisans, with many years of experience, who do not need a translator to express their experience. A potential equal to a risk. I do NOT want anyone to consider our Sashiko is “the absolute (only) Sashiko”. We do not own Sashiko. There are numbers of great Japanese Sashiko artisans/teachers in Japan who do not wish to speak up. It is another form of Japanese aesthetic. ☆ I would rather be buried in the ground with the Sashiko if I had to go against the Japanese aesthetic. However, I learned that many people care for what we do & what I say. So, this is the in-between point. I know I can do better in terms of “marketing” and “making profit”. However, please understand that I am the Japanese after all. Going along with the western “strategy” isn’t always the best way to go. ☆ - - - ☆ 米国での活動では、「@UpcycleStitches」という名前でビジネスをしています。Sashikoって入ってないんです。でも、刺し子を紹介したり販売したりするのであれば、Sashikoという言葉を商売名に入れるのは基本中の基本。ここに実は「刺し子には絶対的な正解はない」というアンチテーゼが含まれています。日本人じゃない方が、Sashikoという文字を使い、あたかも全ての刺し子を代弁するような商売をしているのを見てきて、とても嫌気がさしていて。日本人で背景もある僕が「これが刺し子だ！」と言ってしまうと、僕の声だけが残ってしまうリスクがあります。それは嫌なんです。僕の声”も”残したい。日本人の美徳が喧騒にかき消されてしまわないように。☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #CulturalAppropriation #TraditionalSashiko #SashikoStitching #SashikoJacket #SashikoStory #UpcycleStitches #日本人の刺し子 #刺し子 https://www.instagram.com/p/CLrw59bJoVF/?igshid=1tzjeicr7yu2a

Another fun Live Streaming today on Youtube. If you follow this account & Youtube for more than a year, you may know how “different” I was before May 2019. May 2019 is the time when I learned the word “Cultural Appropriation (C/A)” for the first time in my life. I did not know the concept of C/A before. I was part of the “majority” as Japanese. For that matter, I am one of very few Japanese who talks about C/A. When one is in majority, C/A doesn’t become an issue so much. Well, I need to learn about C/A because I am now sharing the Japanese culture (Sashiko/Boro) in “English”. I keep educating myself to understand what/how C/A is. ☆ Many worried “how difficult C/A bothers Atsushi” in May 2019. I wasn’t ready to receive the empathy, though. Some shared their “anger” on behalf of me. I appreciated it, but I couldn’t grasp their anger well. The more I learn about C/A over the year, the more I feel… “Should I get more angry…?”. That is probably the cause of the “Strange” feeling I had shared. I am not angry, though. Strange, it is. ☆ Please read what I write. I spend A LOT OF time writing the way I write. As you know, I NEVER Stated that “Non-Japanese should not use the word Sashiko”. In fact, my message is the opposite (Please read the article on C/A in Sashiko). ☆ I respect an author who wrote on “Wabi-Sabi”, stating something like ”It is impossible to fully explain the concept of Wabi-Sabi, but with love of Japanese culture, please allow me to try it (She is fluent in Japanese, I believe)”. That’s how I feel about Sashiko. I feel it is impossible (and no need) to define what Sashiko is… but I gotta try to share what it is because it is deeply related to my life - as the one who was born in a Sashiko family (while some non-Japanese think they “already know” what Sashiko is). Don’t react so fast. Please be mindful & respectful. That’s all I’m asking. ☆ - - - ☆ やっぱり配信は素敵だなあと思うのです。上手にリズムをコントロールできないのですが、針を持って編集の利かない、不器用な思いをご紹介できるのは、有り難いのです。楽しいし。できるだけ、毎週金曜日の同じ時間に配信ができるように頑張ります！ ☆#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #RunningStitch #TraditionalSashiko #Stitching #MindfulStitching #SlowStitch #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子 #刺し子配信 #SashikoLiveStream https://www.instagram.com/p/CBWWxqkJVig/?igshid=1c8fbd12fjkgj

6月12日（金）夜の9時より刺し子配信します！今週もなんとかなりそう。昨年の24時間配信で手を付けた厚めのデニム生地のカーテン（仕切り）の続きをと考えています。引き続きスマホで常に連絡取れる状況になってなきゃなので、Youtubeで。チャンネルはSashiCoで検索頂ければと思います。何気ない話をしながら、刺し子をしながら、でも「刺し子」ってなんだろうと少し考えられるような楽しい時間になればと思います。刺し子するのがメインです。でも、「笑い」と「学び」もとても大切にしています。頑張ります〜！ ☆ - - - ☆ As I introduced a concept of Japanese craftsmanship yesterday, some part of me wants to follow the “strict” tradition - learn by watching. One of the offers I came up with is the Sashiko Live Streaming, where people can watch me doing Sashiko without editing & modifying. Well… it is not strict at all since traditionally, the views should be limited to someone who decided to commit themselves in it… Well. I am adjusting to this world, too. ☆ I personally welcome “well-thought” questions. Traditionally, a question would not be answered. An apprentice would figure it out by themselves. They do not even dare to ask questions to masters (It is rude to take someone’s time). So, I am nowhere close to their craftsmanship and strict tradition any longer, but I just can't let the word walk by itself. ☆ On Youtube, Sashiko Live Streaming in English on June 12th (Friday) at 9 am EST following the Japanese version starting at 8 am EST. I welcome a question, but please be mindful & respectful. Your comment will encourage me to talk more. I will ignore a jerk (and may make fun out of them). This is something I can do to pass down this beautiful ordinary culture. ☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #RunningStitch #TraditionalSashiko #JapaneseCraftperson #Sewing #MindfulStitching #SlowStitch #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子 #刺し子配信 #SashikoLiveStream https://www.instagram.com/p/CBQZJ6bpOeQ/?igshid=1c150e5g39vpe

In Traditional Japanese craftsmanship, there is a word that I cannot fully translate to English. It is “職人 (Shokunin)”. The direct translation is a “craftsperson”, but I feel the description is incomplete. It is a strict, and very Japanese-like world there. For example, an apprentice to a traditional Sushi bar would not touch a knife for the first few years. No one teaches anything to him/her. The apprentice runs errands for the “master”, and peeks into the skill and learns. No teaching. No explanation. Just respect & years of time. ☆ Some say, “That’s very inefficient. An apprenticeship should be based on teaching/learning like a school”. I understand that. I agree when we focus on “skills” and “technique”. The Japanese apprenticeship requires a full-life commitment. Not many people can do so in 2020. Especially in Sashiko, no one should be that committed because (1) it is super difficult to make a living as a Sashiko craftsperson (2) Sashiko was an ordinary practice. Therefore, I established the Sashiko Class. Instead of spending 20 years learning like me, you can get the essence of Sashiko in 3~ hours of practicing. However, it doesn’t mean that I do not respect the Japanese apprenticeship. I want them to go through the similar experience of traditional (strict) Japanese craftsmanship. The Patreon & Live Streaming is my offer to make it happen. ☆ Anyone can enjoy Sashiko in a way of their preference. However, please hear my thoughts, though. There are people who have (had) spent their entire life in Sashiko. “Freedom” is a too shallow word to define their contribution. ☆ - - - ☆ 今週も金曜日、同じ時間に配信ができそうです〜！毎週と決めたい所ですが、妻の予定次第な所もあるので、毎週確認する感じで。詳細は明日お伝えします！ ☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #RunningStitch #TraditionalSashiko #JapaneseCraftperson #Sewing #MindfulStitching #SlowStitch #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子 #刺し子配信 #sashikoartisan https://www.instagram.com/p/CBN0O8gpU47/?igshid=ouxrjydakyj8

Alright. Let’s focus on Fun & Stitching. This is my last post regarding the safety of handmade mask. I came to the conclusion that a Handmade mask is good in the condition where the hospitals are in need of N95. I would rather not purchase N95 and let the hospitals/someone in need to have it. The concern is “How to use it”. If the one using the handmade mask is a careful person, it won’t be a problem. If you disagree, I guess you would inhale someone’s cough/droplet directly when no N95 is available… Anyway, no opinion is needed in this account. Only valid advice will be welcomed AFTER reading what I have been writing. When the H__L did I compare the handmade mask and N95? Oy vey. ☆ - - - ☆ どうやら布マスク、結構「安全性」について議論があるみたいです。このアカウントだけかなぁと思いつつ、他のSNSでも見かけました。論点は一緒。完全に使う人間の無知と意識で解決できるものです。実際、もし布マスクが「何もしないよりも危険」だったら、日本はもっと陽性反応が増えても良いようなもので（それも検査してないとかいろんな説はあるとは思いますが）。 ☆ 「COVID-19と布との関係性が医学的にみて危険」という言葉に反応したのは、このウイルスがどう変化するのかが誰にも分かっていないから。万が一、湿った綿に付着した場合に悪性に変化するとかっているリサーチがあるのであれば、それは確かに危険なわけで。でも、そういう議論では無く、「湿ると不潔」「マスク内で繁殖する」「マスクをして安全な気になるから危険」。親の敵のようにマスクが嫌いな人がいるのは何なんでしょうか。本当不思議。「医療マスク買えるよ！」とリンクを教えてきた人もいますが（自分の転売？）、違いますやん、今病院ですらマスク足りなくて布マスクを一般市民に縫製して欲しいと頼んでいる今、ある程度健康な俺ら家族は布マスクで最悪の時に備えるのが一番大事じゃん！と思うのです。 ☆ マスク内で繁殖する程、ずーっと使い続けるマスクって、もう緊急事態関係なく、その方の口元が随時緊急事態です。もっと言えば、衛生観念そのものが緊急事態。清潔にしよー。マジで家入ったら靴脱いで、御飯食べる前には手を洗ってうがいして、しっかりシャワーしよ（ほんとはお風呂が良いのだろうけれど）。 ☆ #Sashiko #SashikoStitching #SashikoWorkshop #SashikoClass #TraditionalSashiko #刺し子 #刺し子マスク #清潔な日本人 https://www.instagram.com/p/B-GV-H_JBV2/?igshid=1c79z5i0i3yo0

As much as I wish to share Sashiko, I am willing to learn. ☆ After completing 30% (!?) of packing to QuiltCon2020, I start wondering, what is MQG’s “Modern” indicate. I focused on my Sashiko workshop so much that I almost forgot the important learning opportunity: To understand what I am going to work for. After studying the MQG’s website, I learned that “Modern” can be defined in various ways. I like it that way, and I feel the same way about Sashiko. I am here to share the “Sashiko”, but not excluding the “modern” or “something new”. What I am asking is just to respect (to learn) the tradition (Japaneseness). ☆ I have a question, though. Would a member of MQG accept a “painting” which looks like quilting as “quilting”? In my understanding, quilting is a process of sewing 2 or more layers of fabric with batting. If the work is not sewn (stitched), would they call it “Modern Quilt”? How much “freedom” is acceptable? I am excited to learn a lot over the next week. ☆ - - - ☆ 言葉とは、まぁ難しいもので。昔ながらの職人さんが多くを語らないのは、もしかしたら、「語るより伝わる手法」を知っているのかも知れません。公私ともに言葉に頼りがちな僕は、もう少し丁寧に生きなければと思うわけです。 ☆ さて。モダンキルト。ふと、「あれ？何がモダンなんだ？」と、直前になって疑問に思ってしまいました。危うく、「お仕事をするお相手が何をされている人なのか」を知らずに物事を進めてしまう所でした。モダン。近代。近代刺し子って言う表現も出てくるとは思いますが、結構括りは曖昧なようです。一歩踏み込んで伺ってみたいなぁと思うのは、「布じゃなかったり、キルト芯入ってなくてもモダンだったらモダンキルト？」という疑問。「んなアホな」と返信されるかもしれませんが、でも刺し子業界では、「印刷された柄」を刺し子と商品を販売している人もいるので、笑えない話なんです。沢山学びのある週末になりそうです。 ☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #JapaneseBoro #TraditionalSashiko #Mending #Upcycle #quilting #ModernQuilt #quiltcon2020 #MQG #Quiltcon #刺し子 #日本の刺し子 #素敵なオン刺し #刺し子の再定義 #刺し子ジャケット #刺し子デニム https://www.instagram.com/p/B8hp884JDZ_/?igshid=7h9xcyrkjph7

Sashiko mend not only the fabric but also ourselves… ☆ I sometimes feel I am in deep s**t. (sorry for the bad word - don’t have another idiom to express my feeling). It was such a year of 2019. I appreciate so many who support what I do. From workshops, Patreon, shopping(customers), and friendships. Without them, I would have closed this account by now. I am here because of them (and probably you). At the same time, unfortunately, those who I appreciate are the minority - not the majority. There are still people who keep crossing the boundary that I clearly stated everywhere - intentionally or unintentionally. You may advise, “Don’t give a s**t to those...” absolutely right, but you know my core principle is to “care”. lol. After all, I am an honest idealist who believes in humanity. As horrible as it sounds, I know I am in big trouble. See, I am in deep s**t, aren't I? (I apologize for the bad words - please educate me if you know the better phrases to express what I feel). ☆ Regardless, I believe I can communicate the sincere beauty of stitching. I believe Sashiko mended not only the fabric but the stitchers themselves. Again - the Antonym of “Love” is not “Hate” - the antonym of Love is “not caring”, in my belief. ☆ - - - ☆ 幼い頃からずっと夢がありました。でも、その夢の輪郭は朧気なもので、一直線に進めるだけのものではありませんでした。自分じゃない誰かになりたかった。でも、そのなりたい「誰か」を定義するのも怖くて、一歩が踏み出せませんでした。音に興味があるから音楽家？人を笑わせることが好きだから芸人？本が好きだから作家？一つに絞ると、「夢を叶えた自分」を嫌いになりそうで、努力はするけれど、何も具体的な一歩を踏み出すことはありませんでした。チープな言い方をすれば、何者かになるのが怖かったんだと思います。 ☆ 音も笑いも文章も、今の僕の大切な要素の一つです。そして、不思議な事に、「違うのになりたかった自分の原点」である刺し子と共に生きる覚悟をしています。同時に今でも、「自分じゃない誰か」になりたいのかもしれません。夢は懐き続けているんだと思います。音も笑いも文章も刺し子も。全部抱えてやれることを全部やる人になれたらいいなぁなんて思っています。母親が、NYCで初めてワークショップをする僕に作ってくれた襤褸は夢と今を結び止める大事な作品です。 ☆ #Sashiko #RedefineSashiko #JapaneseSashiko #JapaneseCulture #TraditionalSashiko #SashikoStitching #BoroInspired #Handstitching #WhatisSashiko #Wabisabi #JapaneseBoro #CulturalAppropriation #刺し子 #日本の刺し子 #素敵なオン刺し #刺し子の再定義 https://www.instagram.com/p/B6WYDMjJtcc/?igshid=1y2gfgv3p74v4

In Sashiko, my goal is NOT to “prompt” people to practice the Sashiko we practice. In a discussion group, I barely recommend what I do or use - so promoting the Sashiko we do is also the secondary. I NEVER intend to force anyone to practice the Sashiko we practice (besides the 3~6 hours in my workshop - because I understand them to wish to learn what I do). So, what do I want to do? ☆ I want them to “KNOW” that there are people who spend so much time in Sashiko. Sashiko may be “easy” (and it is easy indeed), but not “shallow” or “superficial”. At the same time, our Sashiko is one part of Sashiko in Japan. Therefore, I want to KNOW how the other Japanese practice Sashiko. I started the journey of learning Sashiko in Japan, so I would be able to share more stories. It is my goal to “SHARE” the Sashiko we practice. Why? Because I want the world to KNOW the stories behind Sashiko. It is “more” than the trend - there is someone’s life behind the word. ☆ - - - ☆ 今日の配信もありがとうございました。Youtubeにアーカイブが残っています。ふと思ったので言葉にするのですが、僕は「刺し子」を促したいわけではありません。運針できたら楽しいよとは思いますが、積極的に宣伝はしていません。ましてや強制なんてもっての他。じゃぁ何がしたいんだと尋ねられると、たぶん、（日本を知らない人を中心に刺し子を）「知ってほしい」んです。刺し子に沢山の時間を費やしている人がいることを。刺し子で家族を養い未来を憂いた人がいることを。刺し子って「簡単」だけど「浅く」はないことを。同時に、知ってほしいからこそ、知りたいんです。どれだけの人が僕と同じ目線でいるか、あるいは全く違う所から刺し子を見ているのか。これは、一度「家業という刺し子の荷物」を捨てざるを得なかったからできるんです。昔だったら家業を守ることが精一杯だった。今は、そういう意味では、失うものはないんです。もう一度失ってるから。知りたい。知ってほしい。知りたい。僕の「日本の刺し子の再定義」のお願いの根底にある思いです。そして、そのいろんな人の気持ち、言葉を、やっぱり「伝えたい」んでしょうね。僕は、刺し子は、日本の言葉であり文化であると思っていて、そして伝えて、知って、刺し子をする人が増えれば、きっと刺し子は100年後も残っているでしょうから。 ☆ #Sashiko #RedefineSashiko #JapaneseSashiko #JapaneseCulture #TraditionalSashiko #SashikoStitching #BoroInspired #Handstitching #WhatisSashiko #Wabisabi #JapaneseBoro #CulturalAppropriation #刺し子 #日本の刺し子 #素敵なオン刺し #刺し子の再定義 https://www.instagram.com/p/B5V01Ltp6zs/?igshid=2ty0entitlfn