What is Sashiko

The word “Sashiko” means, "stitching."

At the Hida-Sashiko Company we use traditional stitching to produce unique arts and goods. This exclusive stitching technique offers both beautiful and high quality clothes and artifacts that can be passed from generations to generation. We also carry antique materials dated back to the Edo Period, the age of the Samurais.

The Sashiko technique originated about a hundred years ago. The Hida-area residents used to stitch to make optimal use of their worn-out garments. This tradition evolved because of area’s geological specificity. Mountainous region and limited transportation routes compose the Hida area. As a result of difficult migration people had to subject their clothes to heavy traveling and washing.

The people of the area had to use the limited resources available to create goods. The lack of natural resources gradually developed into heavy emphasis on ecologically safe fabric. We make sure to utilize all of our fabric. We rarely dispose of leftovers. Instead, we recycle the remaining materials. We take pride in the stitching, recycling, and ecologically safe beauty of our designs.

We would like welcome you on behalf of Hida-Sashiko, and we hope that you will enjoy our artistic products.

This video show you how to enjoy Sashiko stitching with "Asano-ha" Pattern. "Asano-Ha （麻の葉）" represents hemp leaves and this is one of the most traditional Sashiko Pattern. There are no audio yet, but we are planning to put some audio or captions so many viewer can understand this better.

We are proud of what we do, "Sashiko." It means that the craftsmen are our significant symbol. Please enjoy this video to see what we do, and enjoy your "Sashiko."

The first video is a sample of creating one of our DIY kit "Coaster with Asano-ha Pattern." The second video show you how to make (finish) coaster as a end-product.

We are proud of what we do, "Sashiko." Most of our products are hand-made. (*Some of the products are made by machine such as Japanese fan or hat.) It means that everything can be made by your hands. Please enjoy Japanese traditional hand crafts.