After many years of sharing Sashiko online, teaching workshops around the world, and answering the same difficult questions about what Sashiko is, I am finally able to share something I have carried in my heart, and have been sharing on my platform, for a long time.
My book, Sashiko: The Untold Story – The History, Technique and Philosophy Behind Japanese Hand-Stitching, will be published by Quadrille Publishing, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
- UK Release Date: May 14, 2026
- US Release Date: May 19, 2026
- Publisher: Quadrille Publishing / Penguin Random House
- Format: Hardcover
- Length: 176 pages
- ISBN-13: 9781837835010
For many years, I was offered opportunities to write a traditional “how-to” book about Sashiko. While I respect instructional books, I felt there was something missing in how Sashiko has been introduced outside Japan - so, I didn't want to just jump into the "definitions" and "answers"
Sashiko is often explained as a stitching technique, a decorative style, or a trend in visible mending. While these descriptions may contain part of the truth, they rarely communicate the cultural background, the philosophy, and the lived experience that shaped Sashiko.
This book is not simply about how to stitch. It is about why Sashiko existed. It is about the people who stitched—not as artists, but as ordinary individuals trying to make cloth last longer, make life more practical, and preserve what they had. It is about understanding Sashiko beyond pattern collections or surface aesthetics.
In this book, I share:
- The historical and cultural context of Sashiko in Japan
- The relationship between Sashiko and everyday life
- The mindset behind the practice
- Reflections on misunderstanding, translation, and cultural interpretation
- Stories from my own family and personal relationship with Sashiko
- Beautiful full-color photography and visual references
This book is my attempt to leave behind a record—not only of technique, but of memory, language, and cultural perspective.
For a long time, I could not recommend an English-language book that reflected what I hoped people would understand about Sashiko. This book is my answer to that absence.
I hope it becomes a bridge. A bridge between cultures. A bridge between practice and understanding. And perhaps, a bridge between the Sashiko many people recognize visually, and the Sashiko that has lived quietly in Japanese homes for generations.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey over the years. Your encouragement, trust, and willingness to listen made this book possible.
Preorders are now available through major retailers.
Once preparations are complete, copies will also be available through this website. I hope to make it possible for readers to purchase directly from me!
Book Link: https://geni.us/sashiko
Thank you for your interest, and thank you for helping me share the untold story of Sashiko.
[Update in May]
The book is now available for preorder on this website as well!
https://sashikostory.com/products/sashiko-the-untold-story
