Margo is joined by Sashiko artisan, educator, and storyteller Atsushi Futatsuya for a conversation about creativity, cultural heritage, and the stories carried through handmade work. Born into a family deeply rooted in the Japanese tradition of Sashiko, Atsushi shares his journey from resisting the craft he grew up around to becoming one of its most passionate advocates and teachers. Through his work with Sashi.Co, Sashiko Story, and Upcycle Stitches, he helps people understand that Sashiko is far more than a stitching technique—it is a living cultural practice woven together by history, community, and care.

Margo and Atsushi explore the role of rhythm, repetition, and mindfulness in creative practice, as well as the challenges of preserving cultural traditions in a rapidly changing world. They discuss the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation, the responsibility that comes with sharing inherited knowledge, and why stories matter just as much as skills.

Margo and Atsushi discuss:

• What Sashiko is and the cultural history behind the traditional Japanese stitching practice
• Growing up in a Sashiko family and why Atsushi initially resisted the craft
• How the 2011 earthquake in Japan became a turning point in his relationship with his heritage
• The importance of sharing cultural traditions so they can continue to evolve and survive
• Why rhythm, repetition, and handwork can become powerful forms of mindfulness
• The distinction between visible mending and the deeper cultural context of Sashiko
• Navigating conversations around cultural appreciation, appropriation, and acknowledgment
• The stories, values, and human connections woven into every stitch
• How creativity helps us connect with history, identity, and community
• Why letting go of control is often an essential part of both stitching and life

Connect with Atsushi:
Website: https://sashikostory.com
Instagram: @sashikostory
Instagram: @upcyclestitches

Who’s Inspring Atsushi:
“I probably should say my mother, but now I think my wife and daughters are very much inspiration to me. I wasn’t thinking like that before, but they have their own idealism, and it’s really beautiful to see their idealism.”