Unshinkai - A group of arising Sashiko Artisans
To respect and preserve the Sashiko we have been practicing, we sincerely value the connections we have come across. Those connections are not something we can take for granted—they are what allow the practice to continue, beyond one person, beyond one moment.
Unshinkai is a group of Sashiko artisans who have learned Unshin from Atsushi and continue to practice Sashiko actively. Each person stitches in their own place, with their own life—but through the shared form and rhythm, we remain connected.
Unshinkai Project (In Japan only as of 2025)
We occasionally offer projects in which we create one item together, in collaboration with other Sashiko artisans. For a long time, I believed that Sashiko was a form of stitching for oneself—a solitary practice. A quiet act, repeated with needle and thread, in one’s own time.
However, through a deeper understanding of rhythm, I began to realize something different. Even when each stitch is unique—different in size, in pace, in expression—those differences do not necessarily separate the work.
When the rhythm is shared, they can come together.
We have experienced this through making several jackets and tapestries together. Each piece carries many hands, many differences, yet becomes one garment. This is not about making identical stitches. It is about allowing different stitches to exist together.
We hope to continue creating in this way in the coming years. Below is a photo of a jacket created as part of the Unshinkai Project.
Idobatakai Gathering
It is a joy to stitch together while talking. I believe this kind of time—stitching, sharing stories, and even “complaining about the ordinary”—was once a natural scenery of Sashiko.
Not something special, but something that existed in everyday life. Through Idobatakai, we try to keep that atmosphere.
We occasionally offer these gatherings online, both in Japanese and in English.
How to Be a Part of Unshinkai
Anyone who has taken Atsushi’s [Core & Essence] workshop can become a part of Unshinkai. The workshop is where we learn not only the technique, but the form and rhythm that make this shared practice possible.
For English-speaking participants, as the administrative work is still quite heavy, the system is not yet fully ready as of 2025. However, it is our hope to make this possible—regardless of country, wherever you may be.
To receive updates, please wait for an email from Atsushi or fill out the form below. Please make sure to complete the [Core & Essence] workshop first — either online, as a 1-day in-person workshop, or as the first day of a 3-day intensive workshop or a 5-day retreat.
Unshinkai is not something to join for status. It is something to continue—quietly, steadily, together. I hope to welcome you to Unshinkai.
