SASHIKO as a product to be purchased

SASHIKO was once lost

Sashiko is one of the Japanese folk crafts which has been passed on for hundreds of years. But it doesn’t mean most Japanese people ( or women ) are able to stitch sashiko. Actually, sashiko had been culturally lost during the high economic growth in the 1950s because they no longer needed sashiko to mend or reinforce their clothings.

SASHIKO for fun

In the last few years, sashiko is becoming popular again and lots of books have been published. Even still, when I say “I do sashiko”, not every Japanese people can understand what I exactly mean. Some people have heard of it, others have seen it before, but I always need to add some explanations about what SASHIKO is. 

Since we are surrounded by fast fashion, we have no necessities to stitch sashiko as a needed skill in the daily life. Therefore, sashiko’s role has completely changed. In most cases, we are stitching sashiko just for fun for domestic use only. That’s why it is extremely difficult to find good sashiko products to be purchased. 

Good and authentic sashiko products

Momo @momo_sashiko is a Japanese crafter who makes good and authentic sashiko products. I admire her works and I respect her attitude about how carefully she selects the materials for her sashiko. Her method is based on Nagai-sashiko from Yamagata prefecture. I call her works authentic because she learnt the Nagai-sashiko method for years directly from the master in Yamagata. She creates beautiful sashiko works by following the tradition with the traditional patterns only. 

As you all know, I only sell the sashiko materials in my online store, not the finished work. But I’m so excited to announce that beautifully made sashiko products by @momo_sashiko will be listed on SASHIKO.LAB’s store for a limited time. Actually, it is a collaborated work by two Japanese crafters who carry on the Japanese folk crafts. Tomorrow, I will introduce you the other crafter who is behind this product.