Sashiko translates directly to “little stabs,” a reference to the small, repeated running stitches that define the technique.

Originating during Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868), sashiko began as a practical form of reinforcement. In northern regions such as Tōhoku, where winters were long and cotton was scarce, rural communities relied heavily on hemp and ramie textiles. These fibers were durable but not especially warm. Layers were stitched together with dense rows of white cotton thread, both to strengthen worn garments and to trap warmth between the fabrics.

Over time, these reinforcing stitches developed into geometric patterns—waves, interlocking circles, grids—many of which carried symbolic meaning tied to protection, prosperity, or longevity.

— Quoted from https://www.taylorstitch.com/blogs/archive/fabric-stories-sashiko