Shonai Sashiko is a traditional sashiko craft passed down in the Shonai region, centered on Sakata City, and is counted as one of Japan's Three Great Sashiko traditions, alongside Aomori Prefecture's Kogin-zashi and Nanbu Hishizashi. The Shonai region's economy centered on rice farming, which was not suited to growing cotton, so producing clothing locally had its limits. It is said to have begun in the mid-Edo period, when used clothing and cloth brought in from Kyoto and Osaka through the trade of Kitamae-bune (trading ships) were layered together and stitched, regardless of the fabric's grain, to make sturdy work clothes. Fine stitches of white cotton thread were sewn into indigo-dyed cotton cloth to improve warmth and durability, while also carrying the meaning of warding off evil. There are around 40 basic stitch patterns, such as 'kome-zashi' (rice stitch), 'uroko-zashi' (scale stitch), and 'hishi-zashi' (diamond stitch), and the geometric designs are notable for expressing wishes such as bountiful harvests, big catches of fish, and family health. In 1983 (Showa 58), enthusiasts formed the 'Hirata Sashiko no Kai' to pass on the techniques.
Origin
The Shonai region's economy centered on rice farming, which was not suited to growing cotton, so there were limits to producing clothing locally. At the same time, the trade of Kitamae-bune (trading ships) brought used clothing and cloth into the region from Kyoto and Osaka. In the mid-Edo period, people began layering these old cloths together and stitching through them regardless of the fabric's grain, to make sturdy work clothes — a beginning that reflects Sakata's distinct history as a Kitamae-bune port town.
History
The technique of stitching white unbleached thread into indigo-dyed cotton cloth has been handed down over generations, serving to reinforce and warm work clothes while also carrying the meaning of warding off evil. In 1983 (Showa 58), seven dyeing enthusiasts, moved by the sashiko work clothes they encountered, formed the 'Sashiko no Kai,' and for more than 25 years they have run the 'Hirata Sashiko Class' in Sagoshi, Sakata City, training more than 400 people in the craft.
Features
The technique creates geometric patterns by running thread vertically, horizontally, and diagonally, with around 40 basic stitch patterns such as 'kome-zashi' (rice stitch), 'uroko-zashi' (scale stitch), 'hishi-zashi' (diamond stitch), and 'soroban-zashi' (abacus stitch). Many of the designs carry the wishes of the stitcher, such as for bountiful harvests, big catches of fish, business prosperity, and family health, and the craft is counted as one of Japan's Three Great Sashiko traditions, alongside Aomori's Kogin-zashi and Nanbu Hishizashi. The neighboring town of Yuza is also home to a closely related sashiko tradition known as Yuza Sashiko.
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Artisans & Workshops
平田さしこの会
A sashiko group based in Sagoshi, Sakata City. Its chairperson is Shoko Fujiwara. Carrying on from the 'Sashiko no Kai' formed by dyeing enthusiasts, it has run the 'Hirata Sashiko Class' for more than 25 years, training more than 400 people in the craft. The group makes and sells tapestries, coats, bags, and other items.
How to Buy
- Mount Haguro Summit Shop
- A souvenir shop at the summit of Mount Haguro, one of the Dewa Sanzan (Three Mountains of Dewa). It carries locally made works such as Shonai Sashiko accessories and tapestries.Where to buy →PR