Sashiko: The Untold Story: The History, Technique and Philosophy Behind Japanese Hand-stitching

by Atsushi Futatsuya

Discover the true meaning of Sashiko beyond the stitches.

"I thought I was picking up a book about Sashiko techniques and patterns, but The Untold Story turned out to be something far more special – by the final page, Sashiko no longer feels like a technique but an old friend; a beautiful and unforgettable read." Anastasia Zhelezniak, Whynotstitching

As Sashiko grows in popularity around the world, its history and meaning are often overlooked. In The Untold Story , Japanese Sashiko artisan Atsushi Futatsuya shares a richer understanding of this traditional craft, revealing the culture, philosophy and everyday practices behind the stitches.

Raised in a third-generation Sashiko family in Japan, Atsushi combines personal stories, historical insight and practical knowledge to explore Sashiko beyond its patterns and techniques. Through beautiful photography, illustrations and conversations with fellow artisans, he uncovers the values and wisdom that have shaped the practice for generations.

Inside, you'll

· The history and cultural significance of Sashiko
· Traditional techniques and their proper application
· The philosophy and mindset behind the craft
· Stories from Sashiko artisans and practitioners
· Insights into cultural appreciation and preservation

Perfect for hand stitchers, textile artists, embroiderers, visible menders and anyone fascinated by Japanese craft traditions, The Untold Story offers a thoughtful new perspective on one of the world's most celebrated textile arts.

Whether you're discovering Sashiko for the first time or deepening an existing practice, this book will help you see beyond the stitches and connect with the living tradition behind them.

173 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2026

Reviews

[Liz Canella · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an ideal world I would read just one short section of this book daily either before or after a sashiko practice. My reality is that the book is due back at the library and I sorta had to rush through it.

I recommend it for someone who has spent a fair amount of time already immersed in Sashiko. It’s not a how to book. It’s meditative and philosophical

[Mari Sha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m one of the lucky people who got an early copy, and it’s a wonderful, beautifully designed book. As a reader, I’m always trying to really understand the subject—get the context and learn about the author, too. I don’t just want to know how to do something—that’s what TikTok is for. These days there are so many “how-to” tutorials, online and in books, that tell you what matters based on the author’s take, and I often catch myself thinking, “How do I know I can trust your interpretation?”

This book feels different. It’s written by someone who is part of the Sashiko culture and is Japanese, which really matters. Sashiko is Japanese, and I want to hear about it from a Japanese person. And it’s written in English, not translated—which is a big deal. It feels like you’re getting as close as possible to the real thing. Mr. Futatsuya clearly knows his stuff, but what I really appreciated is how careful he is to separate his own opinions and experiences from the broader cultural context.

The part about the evolution of Sashiko really stood out to me. It’s not just presented as a decorative stitching technique—instead, he places it in its historical and cultural roots in Japan, showing how it grew out of necessity, resourcefulness, and care. He also talks about how Sashiko is being practiced outside of Japan today, which raises some really important questions about preservation, adaptation, and understanding the culture behind it.

I also loved learning about both the history of sashiko and the author’s family—it adds a really personal, human layer to the book. And the photos are fantastic. It’s not quite a coffee table book, but you could easily flip through the images long after you’re done reading.

I definitely recommend this book.

[Caroline Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting years for this book and it absolutely does not disappoint. This is not a how-to book - there are many of those out on the shelves already. This is much more special, it is the history and philosophy (as the title says) of sashiko by someone who is a third-generation sashiko stitcher and sashiko businessperson. Although I had heard some of the stories before (either from Atsushi himself or from his Instagram), much was new and gave me a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of this beautiful craft/art. I love that there are many sashiko-related Japanese words explained both throughout the text and in the glossary. I learned a lot from the cultural appropriation chapter. The photos are gorgeous and inspirational. I read the whole book in one day, couldn't put it down.

This book is a precious resource for anyone who is interested in learning about sashiko.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful reminder of the historical and cultural significance of sashiko stitching from the perspective and philosophy of an artisan. It is a beautiful thoughtful portrait of the origins and development of sashiko, woven through the quiet storytelling of Atsushi. The photography and quality of every aspect of the book is precious. And within its pages we are invited to discover and reflect on the heritage and purpose of those simple running stitches and the people that depended on them for warmth and protection. For all those who have tried or are practicing sashiko - please consider this book to give meaning to your work. I am lucky enough to have studied with Atsushi - and this book is a pure and sincere reflection of his relationship with sashiko and how he would see its expansion as a creative textile art form.

[Philippa Steel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real treasure and a must for all sashiko stitchers and anyone with an interest in Japanese textiles and culture. I am recommending Sashiko: The Untold Story to everyone and am referring to it in all my workshops. It is beautiful in every way – to hold, to read and just to look at. Thank you, Atsushi for writing this heartfelt book and for allowing westerners, particularly, to more fully and usefully understand and appreciate sashiko’s history and philosophy.
Pip Steel, New Zealand

[Ineke Roordink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve not yet finished reading this book, as I only got it a few days ago and it isn’t a book to read really quickly. It is full of wisdom, history, background information about Sashiko and gives me lot to think about. It’s well written, the pictures are beautiful and support what is written really well. This is a book I will come back to regularly for as long as I enjoy Sashiko stitching as it will give me more understanding of Sashiko as a Japanese practice and also because I love reading it.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderfully thoughtful journey through the practice and history of sashiko. It is not a how to nor is it an academic tome, but it guides you through sashiko as a living craft and a cultural practice. I can see myself returning to it again and again because it has beautiful photos but also because the discussion contained provokes thoughts beyond the pages of the book.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atsushi's book fills such an important need in the catalog of sashiko books available in English today. The majority of sashiko books originally written in Japanese and translated to English are strictly "how-to" style, with patterns to stitch and projects to make, but not too much historical background about the techniques. Books written directly in English also tend to be quite "how-to" focused, but their discussions of culture can sometimes unfortunately misinterpret Japanese concepts (such as wabi-sabi) or introduce a lot of Western-mindset "rules" that Japanese stitchers don't generally follow.

This book forgoes most of the "how" information and instead provides the "why": it contains extensive background and historical context of sashiko stitching in Japan, as well as evolution of the practice since its post-WW2 revival. Since Atsushi is fluently bilingual, he is also able to translate and provide context on the subtleties of many Japanese concepts that frequently get misconstrued in English.

If you're looking to go beyond learning the basic mechanics of sashiko stitching and gain a deeper understanding of why the stitches are formed as they are, this book is an invaluable resource. Highly recommend to everyone who has an interest in the practice!

Full disclosure: I have had the privilege of attending an in-person 3-day sashiko workshop given by Atsushi, as well as traveling to Japan with a group of his students for a 10-day retreat to learn from other Japanese sashiko teachers. However, I purchased this book with my own money; nothing was given to me in exchange for this review.

[Lin Tarrant]

A thoughtful book with much to offer all practioners of handwork. A book I will be going back to, to fully appreciate the wise words and emotions deeply rooted in this craft.

[Casia Furrer]

I enjoyed the depth and thoughtfulness of this book. It is a warm invitation to learn and engage with Sashiko.