Sashiko Cloth

“Sashiko Cloth” is a piece to connect where I live with my Japanese heritage.  One of the wishes saying, in Japanese, “oishii sakana-ga tabetai” (I wish to eat good fish) inspired me.  The Nothwest is somewhat similar to Japan in its climate, and in its tradition of fishing.  Seafood and fishing is an important commonality to connect both places. I pieced together wish papers from Osaka and Bellingham, and stitched Sashiko (Japanese quilt) patterns to make a tablecloth.  Sashiko patterns have traditionally been associated with Japanese fishermen’s coats.  I picked two patterns; one is “amime” (fishing net) and the other is “shippo tsunagi” (Seven Treasures) that is common between the West and the East.  I trimmed Sashiko Cloth with my crocheted hair and hung the hair tassels on four corners. Sashiko Cloth covers a circular table and integrates a found fishing net on the floor.  I feel a strong connection with the 1000-stitched cloth (called sen-nin-bari) that was made by women during the WWII and used for solder’s protection.  The playing cards (called Bozu-mekuri) on the Sashiko Cloth suggest the way to honor women’s handiwork as well as their spiritual and magical power to protect men.