Sashiko Japan Retreat – Reflecting on 2025, and Looking Toward What Comes Next

The Sashiko Japan Retreat in 2025 concluded as a great success. Thanks to the trust, openness, and generosity of everyone involved, it became a deeply meaningful journey—one filled with shared time, quiet stitching, conversations, and encounters that will remain with me for a long time.

At the same time, I would like to mention that the 2025 retreat will be the last offered in this exact style — traveling together in a small group to visit the masters and pioneers of Sashiko in Japan in the way we have done. Unfortunately, there are circumstances beyond my control that make it difficult to continue offering the retreat in the same form.

That said, this is not an ending to the journey itself. I sincerely hope to continue creating opportunities to gather, learn, and share Sashiko in meaningful ways. Looking ahead toward 2027, I would like to prepare for a new kind of gathering—not identical to the past retreats, but inspired by what we have experienced together. The coming time will be devoted to reflection, preparation, and careful consideration so that whatever comes next can be offered with the same honesty and care.

Because the 2025 retreat stands at this important transition point, I wish to share as many memories and stories as possible. I hope these stories will serve as a bridge—connecting the past and present of Sashiko, while gently pointing toward its future.

Your support here helps make that possible. Contributions will be used to honor and thank my mother, Keiko, toward our time in Japan, and—more importantly—to help build a foundation for what may come next. These contributions will allow me to continue sharing stories, preparing meaningful items to send back, and laying the groundwork for future possibilities beyond 2027, so that Sashiko may continue, even as its form evolves.

The description & Memories of previous Sashiko Japan Retreat is available from the website below - with many photos & reviews from the Participants.

https://www.japanesesashiko.com/sashiko-japan-retreat

Contribution Tiers

All contributors will also receive priority invitations to any future retreat or gathering I hope to offer in 2027 or later.

$5 or more
Access to a private link where I will share stories and exclusive content from the journey.
(Patreon supporters will also find this link posted after the retreat.)

$20 or more
All of the above, plus:
A handwritten postcard sent from Japan (Keiko will send it on behalf of Atsushi).

*Patreon supporters with one year of continuous support, or those on an annual plan, may also receive a postcard by providing their address.

Larger contributions
All of the above, plus:
A special package prepared by my mother, Keiko, and shipped after the retreat. This may include:

Sashiko threads dyed by Keiko Futatsuya
Kofu (vintage cloth for Boro)
A booklet from the Koburoshiki Sashiko Exhibition 2025 (and/or a booklet from the Retreat 2024)
Small Local Items from Japan

(Postcards will be sent directly from Japan following the information you provided on Google Form.)

This moment represents both reflection and preparation. While the 2025 retreat marks the conclusion of one style, it also allows space for something new to take shape. Thank you very much for your continued trust, encouragement, and support.

Below is a postcard from the Sashiko Japan Retreat (Tour) in 2023. These postcards are not available for public sale (as of November 2025).

Sashiko Japan Retreat toward 2027 - After the Final Retreat in 2025

By UPCYCLE STITCHES LLC

Sashiko Japan Retreat toward 2027 - After the Final Retreat in 2025

It is our goal to continue the Sashiko Japan Retreat - after the delightful final Sashiko Japan Retreat in 2025