Nana was one of the very first students in Atsushi’s Japanese “Sashiko Class (Unshinkai),” which I offered in 2018. Since then, she has actively and passionately practiced Sashiko. Many people admire the elegance in her stitching, and you can see it in the softness and grace with which her hands move across the fabric.
She surpassed me so quickly.
What I admire most about her work is that it embodies a “selfless Sashiko.” Her stitching is often done with others in mind—not for admiration or personal gain, but purely for the joy of stitching itself. This selflessness reminds me of the Sashiko I grew up with in Hida, where Sashiko was rooted in humility and care.I was once forced to be distanced from Hida Sashiko.
I thought I would never be able to replicate or revive the spirit of Hida Sashiko in today’s world, where there is so much pressure to stand out and be someone special. Yet, through her work, I see the Sashiko of my childhood. Nana represents the future of the Sashiko we practice, honoring its essence while inspiring a new generation.