About Boro Living

Founder Story
I've always been drawn to the artistic traditions of Japan, but for years, struggled to find my place within them. Western arts and embroidery techniques felt rigid and unforgiving - every mistake seemed like a failure rather than part of the journey.
 
Punk sewing was more my style - running stitches with any thick thread I could get my hands on, fabric glue - and plenty of safety pins. ​
 
That changed when I discovered Boro and Sashiko during my early travels to Japan. Here was a textile tradition that not only welcomed imperfection but was rooted it. Each patch, each visible mend, told a story of resilience and resourcefulness.
 
I found myself captivated not just by the beauty of these weathered textiles, but by the philosophy beneath them - the Buddhist concepts of impermanence, the Shinto reverence for materials, the practical wisdom of sustainability born from centuries of making do with less.​
 
Background
 My training in East Asian Art History and Philosophy gave me a deep appreciation for the cultural significance of these practices. But it was my commitment to understanding them that led me to make Japan my second home. What began as over a decade of annual visits and artist workshops evolved into purchasing a home, patching together work across multiple time zones, and spending months at a time immersed in the material culture.
 
I've spent countless mornings wandering Japanese flea markets, learning from vendors about the provenance of their textiles, researching, and discovering forgotten treasures that tell stories of daily life across generations.
 
My second home has taught me that these aren't just craft techniques - they're ways of being in the world.
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