wa (和): Harmony Through Sashiko Stitching, Kukicha Tea, and Haiku Poetry
Cultivating harmony through art, with Sanae Suzuki and Tania Pryputniewicz
This immersive workshop invites participants to experience the quiet rhythm and cultural depth of sashiko, a traditional Japanese hand-stitching practice rooted in everyday life, care, and sustainability.
Led by textile artist Sanae Suzuki, participants will learn the foundational techniques of sashiko, including how to prepare the thread, handle the needle, and create the characteristic running stitch (unshin 運針). Using natural Japanese cotton fabric (sarashi 晒し), participants will begin stitching a small piece featuring a hitomezashi pattern—specifically komezashi (米刺し), or “rice stitch”—focusing on the process and rhythm rather than completion.
Midway through the session, the group will pause for a quiet tea moment with kukicha, a traditional Japanese twig tea. Sanae will share its place in everyday Japanese life and its gentle, nourishing qualities. This intentional break offers time to rest the hands, reflect, and connect more deeply with the meditative qualities of stitching.
This workshop offers both hands-on learning and cultural context, introducing the philosophy of sashiko—embracing repetition, imperfection, and mindful making. Participants will leave with a deeper appreciation of the practice and a piece they can continue at home.
While no prior experience is required, familiarity with hand sewing may be helpful.
Following Sanae’s instruction, local author Tania Pryputniewicz will lead a haiku workshop exploring the theme of wa (和): harmony with people, nature, seasons, and life force. She will guide participants through introspective exploration of questions such as: What has been your experience of harmony, in relation to yourself, your family, your community and with nature? In which situations have you been called on to cultivate harmony?
Event Details
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Location: VMOTA, 2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100
VMOTA Members Workshop Fee: $120; Non-Members Workshop Fee: $125
Materials: All materials are provided for participants.
This workshop is limited to 20 participants. Please use our contact page to be put on a waiting list.
Sanae Suzuki
Sanae Suzuki is a Japanese-born textile artist and educator specializing in sashiko, a traditional form of hand stitching rooted in everyday life in Japan. She also incorporates principles of Japanese healing food (macrobiotics) into her work, reflecting a holistic approach to mindful living.
Through her teaching, she shares sashiko not only as a technique, but as a practice of mindfulness, sustainability, and connection. Her work emphasizes the rhythm of stitching, the importance of preparation, and the cultural context behind the practice.
Based in California, Sanae offers workshops that invite participants to slow down and engage deeply with handwork. Her work bridges traditional Japanese textile practices with contemporary life, offering a meaningful and accessible introduction to sashiko.
Tania Pryputniewicz
Tania Pryputniewicz is the author of two full-length poetry collections, November Butterfly (Saddle Road Press, 2014), and The Fool in the Corn (Saddle Road Press, 2022), as well as Heart’s Compass Tarot: Discover Tarot Journaling and Create Your Own Cards (Two Fine Crows Books, 2021).
Her poetry has appeared in numerous journals including Kalliope, Nimrod International, Poetry Flash, Spoon River Poetry Review, SWWIM, and Whale Road Review. As an instructor and tarot muse, Tania sees herself as a catalyst mentoring others to bring forth their stories through poetry, memoir, art, and tarot. She finds joy in witnessing other writers, artists, and seekers find confidence in their voices and arrive at a deeper sense of self-love and awareness.
A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop (MFA, Poetry), Tania teaches poetry and tarot inspired writing classes for San Diego Writers, Ink, and Antioch University’s Continuing Education program as well as private courses through her website. Tania grew up on the Russian River in Northern California but now resides in Southern California with her husband, two of her three children, and one rescue kitten named Clementine Quill.
