In Japan, clothing is repaired, not replaced. The art of sashiko — visible mending with decorative stitching — turns a torn garment into something more beautiful than the original. Mottainai says: this fabric was grown, harvested, woven, cut, and sewn by human hands. Throwing it away because it has a hole is not just wasteful. It is disrespectful.

Going Deeper

Explore this concept further in The Japanese Art of Simple Living by Takeshi Mori.

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