Most of the Sashiko artisans in Otsuchi didn’t practice Sashiko before 2011. Now, their Sashiko became as “traditional” as the one we can see in books. I was there to share Sashiko when they just started Sashiko. The Jacket like this means a lot to me. ☆ In their report, the manager used a Japanese word “守破離 (Shuhari)”. It is a well-known word for Japanese martial art. At the same time, this concept can be applied into other practices as a way to go through mastery. When I say, “Please learn Japanese Sashiko”, some people twist my words and counter-attack saying, “Do not spoil our creativity”. I am NOT denying any creativity. However, without a “will” to learn the tradition, the creativity is just based on “whatever” - which can equal ignorance. “Whatever” is not a word for freedom. It is the sign of “not-knowing”, when a person is from a foreign culture. ☆ I feel the fear of “Sashiko (culture) being repainted” with whatever is convenient to non-Japanese people. The result would be limiting the future of “current Sashiko artisans” in Japan. Please be mindful of what you do now. I am not asking you to spend years learning the basic/tradition. I am just asking you to be mindful so that you can choose who you are directly & indirectly supporting. If you would like to use the word “Sashiko”, I want you to support Sashiko. ☆ - - - ☆ 大槌刺し子の報告会で、「守破離」という言葉がありました。実は「守破離」は僕が米国移住する前に多用していた言葉だったりします。「型」を徹底的に守り、その過程で型を破り、そして新たな流派として離れる。とても日本らしいなぁと大好きな言葉です。「自分のやってる刺し子が全て」だった昔は、この守破離を公言してましたが、その後学ぶ中で、刺し子には「型」が沢山あることに気が付きます。だから今はそれほど使わない言葉になったのですが、でも、”基本”が大切であることは変わりません。刺し子の基本には10年も20年もいらないです。早い人だと数時間で飲み込んじゃいます。そんな「型」の一つを、今後もお伝えして行けたら良いなと思うのです（*運針会で刺し子の「型」の一つをお教えしています。詳細はリンクから）。 ☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #Shuhari #LearnSashiko #刺し子 #運針会 #日本の刺し子 https://www.instagram.com/p/CMUiU5QppE5/?igshid=jivyicab6505