My Opinions Towards the Viral Katana Swordsmith's Tweet
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- Recently (in July 2022) a katana swordsmith’s tweet blew up.
Please spread the word. Is there anyone who would like to become an apprentice of a katana swordsmith?vWe have the will and the environment to raise students. Please contact me through DM.
In the world of Japanese craftsmanship which has a formal/stiff image, I think it is wonderful that he sent out messages in this way on social media. However, the specific conditions of the training offended many people…
This debate expresses the fundamental problem that is the cause of the current demise of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Unless we solve this problem, it will not be long until the precious skills that have been brought down for centuries to completely disappear.
So today, I will point out the two main reasons why this tweet blew up, and explain from a historical point of view why such problems happen in the first place. Lastly, I’ll share my opinions on what we need to do in order to pass down Japanese traditional culture to the future.
I hope this video will be useful for those who are especially interested in Japanese traditional culture, to deepen your understanding of the current situation. Also after watching this video, please let me know YOUR opinions on what we can do to solve these problems.
And before I start, I must make it very very clear that the purpose of this video is not to criticize the swordsmith who made the tweet, but just for me to share my opinions with you based on what I’ve studied. I really admire him for opening the world of katana craftsmanship to the public, and I really hope that his business would be even more successful.
*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects
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I wonder if the Japanese government can subsidize the training required for these traditional crafts so people can have the time to learn properly but make a living.
Subsidizing the preservation of traditional culture is a great idea. It’s in the realm of conserving wildlife, etc… guaranteed if at least a modest wage was provided, there would be many interested students. Unpaid internships really can only cater to people who grow up in wealthy families, and can have their families support them while they work for free.
I greatly respect you shogo and believe you are very brave to speak up about things like this keep it up😊!
Is there any movement to change the laws back to where people could once again wear swords?
The major problem for me would be that I don't think I or most people I know have enough money to survive for 10 years without income, and when you are asking for someone to pay for their own food and lodging but also penalize them for working other jobs to survive, it makes it an unlivable situation without a significant amount of money.
Indeed. There will be no loyalty to the employer, and you'll most likely abandon the work when something better comes up.
Yup. Honoring tradition can only go so far when social customs since the tradition's origin in time have changed so drastically. At a certain point, one must adjust to the times.
@@Nintendoggy I think there was also some mention of penalizing you or being unable to quit or something, maybe they ask them to sign some sort of document or something.
The ultimate irony is that even if you chose to be a singer, actor/actress or even a painter in 10 years time you would probably make money more than an apprentice sword smith. Even just as a singer playing in clubs you would make money, not a lot but more than a sword smith apprentice. Haha
This is basically the same thing as paying someone here with “experience”
i think this is a fantastic moment for the Japanese government to do something amazing, by offering full financial support programs for people in apprenticeships studying traditional Japanese arts. preserving Japan's identity and culture is absolutely something they should be interested in working toward, and outside of the budget commitment, it would be easy. the master and apprentice file some paperwork, send it in, and the apprentice gets enough money to live during the apprenticeship. everyone gets to retain their traditions and pride, and the apprentice doesn't have to wonder how they will live.
This is a brilliant idea
Exactly. This isn't a problem that should be expected to be solved by masters or apprentices, in the first place. Traditional culture is traditional because it's not practical in the modern world anymore. It exists only because society holds sentiment for it. So if we do what Shougo is suggesting to try to commercialize, it will only cheapen the culture. It's the job of government to have the higher-minded perspective to preserve cultural heritage and use public tax funds towards such loftier goals.
@@Boyetto-san perfectly said
“You should not care about money and do it for the sake of your culture/country” is literally the spirit of governmental/civil service work. As such it should be the government’s duty to fund these kinds of things.
I think this is a great idea however the main obstacle is, would the majority of the Japanese population support this? If not than I don’t think it would even be debated
Patronage like in the old European and East Asian fashions can go a very long ways in helping traditional artisans attract apprentices. Encouraging Japan's wealthiest with establishing private foundations that support traditional Japanese arts, including sword smithing, would be fantastic. Politicians making "subtle" requests of this nature would help make this issue more public.
Exactly.
I commented the same.
+
I'm all for preserving culture and skills but the biggest issue is the full-time work for zero compensation. You can't eat skills and culture won't put a roof over your head.
The whole "it's not work but voluntary training" scam is very popular here in Japan. That's why this is illegal in some countries, it's an easy way to prevent abuse.
"internship" as we used to call it in the US, now no matter what you have to pay even if they are an "Intern"
Would you prefer to pay for the training for a skill?
@@anarchyandempires5452 used to be the same in italy, here it was "gavetta", the idea that as an intern you're working your way up and shouldn't really ask for anything and should consider yoirself lucky to even be paid if at all, started disappearing in the last decade from a legal standpoint thankfully, but the sentiment is still present in many places and at least covid seemed to have made people realize over here that the working conditions in italy kinda sucked and in fact the amount of people who became jobless after covid was extreme because they could feel the difference compared to being at home getting paid by government funds, or by instead going for higher paying jobs even oversea if necessary (or even better, with online jobs)
Seems like that wasn't exactly the case for japan, at least from a collective culture standpoint, based on the comments and video.
It's a tough position. I already knew about this issue in detail. Unfortunately if the government doesn't step in and provide funds for the apprentices the art will die out. Because as is it requires either your family to fully support you for 10 years, long after you should be supporting yourself. Or for the individuals to be rich before hand. And let's face it. The majority of the world's people can't really afford to keep supporting their kids long after they become adults. And we're not talking about kids living at home, but basically supporting a second household.
having been an apprentice (bookbinding) I understand the long days with no real pay but at the time my master was also responsible for my room and board. I can see the logic of the Maiko system, and ten years does seem like a long time ,even for a skill as intricate as katana.
This isn’t unheard of, and it isn’t confined to Japan. My grandmother trained as a seamstress in the 1940s-50s in a department store apprenticeship for which she not only received zero remuneration for several years, but had to pay for the privilege.
@@cyan_oxy6734 As far as i know, in central Italy back to my granmom's times (i.e. mid XX century) families paid off "masters" (yeah, in our dialect we used exactly this word, same as japanese...) like blacksmith, carpenter, etc to keep their son as an apprentice for several years. So: no salary, no food & lodging, and paying fee on top.
Japanese masters are not asking fees.
@@elenacipollone3799 And it was not abusive at all most of the time.
Modern schools plus transportations plus books plus lessons maybe, can cost a lot of money too. For what? Useless 'degrees' and university professors living like kings?
It was like that everywhere in Europe for a very long time and it worked.
Dang, thats some mr krabs exploitation...
@@HAYAOLEONE actually professors in europe, or at least italy, periodically hold manifestations and rallies to get aid from the government due to the poor paying jobs and at times even states of schools, so... Yeah dunno about that chief.
No i mean truly dunno, as I'm pretty sure the teachers i'm talking about are mainly ones working within elementary/middle/high schools, but i very much doubt that so mamy university professors live aa well off as you say given the state of certain academies.
@@HAYAOLEONE imagine comparing modern education and degrees to a blacksmith apprenticeship...
I just thought of a saying: Just because a system/mindset works out in the past doesn't mean it'll work in the future,
I would say I agree with you Shogo, anyone who is passionate about maintaining certain traditions, may need to change certain things in so it can adapt to changing eras.
I think they probably should expand the katana swordsmith industry outside Japan. I'm sure there's a lot of people who are willing to learn about this tradition 🗡️⚔️
That’s a nice idea. But Japan is very traditional. So, they might not feel comfortable about letting foreigners into their secret trade. 😢
@@PhantomFiend Yoshihara Yoshindo (one of the best katana swordsmiths of the modern era) is said to have said that only katanas made on Japanese soil by a Japanese person is a real katana. I believe it has more to do with the sanctity of the katana not just as a weapon/tool but as an object of spiritual and symbolic value in the Japanese culture, and less about divulging techniques to "outsiders."
Just to clarify, I'm not saying this or that is correct. I'm just saying that that's more likely the reasoning or philosophy behind not allowing foreigners to learn the craft
not sure about that. I personally wouldn't buy a Katana if it weren't made in Japan by a person who grew up there and learned from a Japanese master.
The Maiko/Geisha apprenticeship is more in-line with how Medieval and Renaissance apprenticeships were handled. The apprentices would often be unpaid, but they could count on room and board from their masters, so they'd have stable lives for the duration of the apprenticeship.
This is excellently worded Shogo. I really appreciate you taking the time to make this video. As a foreigner who started University in Japan 6 months ago I learned some deeper realities about the Japanese mindset through your channel
I agree with you- we in Europe let our traditions in this field die out. We now have to perform "experimentla archaeology" to re-learn the arts as well as rely on on the HEMA community to rediscover the way things were done and it is so sad.
In ordered to be able to test and receive a license as a swordsmith, there must be at least a five year apprenticeship; ten years seems a little long. But, this issue is recognized by the NBTHK for the reason there are a decline in swordsmiths. Today there are only around 180 licensed smiths in Japan....it was over 300 smiths ten years ago. Depending on the teaching smith, some apprentices receive a stipend and live with the teacher but more and more that is changing with no income and living on your own. Add the fact that it's hard to earn anything once you do gain your license and it's easy to see why people aren't learning this tradition. Very sad. Traditionally, apprentices were accepted after face to face interviews with the teaching smith so this is really unusual; it sounds like someone looking for some extra help instead of true apprentices.
Well, not being able to read the subtleties for myself, I'd allow for the possibility the teacher himself is a bit desperate in this equation, too. If he's sitting on significant wealth himself, though....
Come to think of it, if I came into a bit of money, myself, I'd want to hire a couple kids to learn some of what I know and help creaky ol' me actually keep up with things. Along with some other veteran mechanic types of varying degrees of shadetreeness, we actually tried to get a scheme going about buying an abandoned garage facility to make a co-op for the locals and for teaching and all that, but getting the actual property proved impossible, even with some money backing, cause stuff tied up in courts and developers with lots more money expected to pounce. Upshot is, there's often more people and talent out there than communities can seem to make use of.
@@OllamhDrab The process to become an apprentice swordsmith and the requirements for it are extraordinarily difficult in Japan; very very rigid. You would think it would be different but it's not and it's one of those strict adherence to tradition that is have a detrimental effect, i.e. declining number of licensed smiths.
The NBTHK controls the amount of tamahagane each smith receives throughout the year and it's base on seniority with senior smith's getting the lion's share. Newly licensed smith's are lucky to get enough to make a single tango, or if they're lucky, a wakazashi a year. At least that's the way it used to be. So in essence, the extreme adherence to that tradition (and it's not that old of one) is choking swordsmith's to death. A new smith when working on commission has to pay for the tamahagane (I think?), charcoal, rice straw, water and utilities. They also have to pay the polisher, habaki maker and saya maker. That doesn't include the lacquer person, the fittings maker, the tsuka maker if the piece will be mounted, nor does it take into account the labor the smith puts in. It's actually cheaper to buy an existing sword made during the shin-shinto period.
@@midtwnscott and i guess that explains further the more recent video reaction to the cheap vs pricey katana.
One of the local Buddhist Temples near me offers 'discounted' or even free lodging if you serve the temple. I can understand the 10 year apprenticeship if you are being cared for in that way.
Shogo -- Another great, thought-provoking video. Aren't swordsmiths in Japan heavily regulated and limited by law in the number of swords they can make every year? Could these rules and regulations have anything to do with why the craft is disappearing?
Yes they are heavily limited, but I think the bigger problem is that they’re katana or hardly sold now… If they could sell to their limit, they should have enough money!
They should allow export, there are many people who want to have a genuine katana for where I am at!
@@boywhohasl1vedhascometodie469 They already allow export. Too expensive + not enough advertisement. Genuine Nihonto carried such a weight both traditionally and financially that the market is limited overall.
@@victoriazero8869 True, but I did make a comment on this video saying that they should widen the materials used for Nihonto. Like T10 Tool steel for those who want to use it pretty well.k
I mean 10 years omg😭I won't mind but at least cover my living costs and meals and transport. I would join 100%
As a training artisan/blacksmith somewhat, the offer itself from the surface would sound neat, besides having to possibly learn Japanese on-top of likely going by more stricter 'traditional' methods (though probably not that different, most steels bend and flatten in-heat after all). But 10 years is a rather long ask without income, and from working or talking to various people who practise blacksmithing, the way in which someone can learn in a certain amount of time can vary greatly, from someone by multiple years. It would probably help for their listing to clarify, if any past experience or varying degrees of learning, might shorten that time by just a few years even.
Your videos are always super informative and interesting
Thankfully the craft will never truly die out, there are still people making Victorian clothing and western swords and plate armour. An apprenticeship scheme like the UK where the government will reimburse companies for paying apprentices to learn would be a great way forward.
Hello Shogo, may I request your reaction on Kubo and the Two Strings? The story was following Kubo, who wields a magical shamisen and accompanied by an snow monkey and beetle, Kubo must embark on a quest to defeat his mother's evil Sisters and his power-hungry grandfather, the Moon King, who is the culprit for stealing his left eye during his infancy
Something like this would be absolutely impossible here in Germany. Your apprenticeship can’t be longer than 3 years, must be paid/compensated by the company, there must be regular working hours (usually 8 hours) with no uncertainties, so either you work weekends or not. Also overtime, weekend work and night shifts have to be paid extra. And holidays (~30 working days per year) are mandatory and have to be taken.
I totally understand anyone who says they don’t want to work under these inhumane, disrespectful conditions. You basically waste 10 years of your life, having to do hard manual labor 10 hours a day, without earning ANY money. So you have to take part-time jobs to even pay rent, buy food and basic necessities. At this point, that’s so much worse than prison, it’s almost slave labor. No wonder the birth rate is rapidly declining, if this is the work environment Japanese people have to have work in. Like if you barely even have enough time to eat or sleep, how are you gonna be thinking about dating, much less starting a family…
Thank you Shogo! Your explanations on these topics are thoughtful and well spoken. To me, your videos are informative and enjoyable.
Thank you so much for always supporting us☺️
No worries, Shogo-san, there will always be plenty of Japanophiles outside who will do anything to fulfill their wet dream of making a Japanese sword. And some of them may have spare money (and time) to do it.
i once asked my old boss who got a pilot's licence why he doesn't keep up his training and get a commercial licence so he can do it all the time. his answer "once you start something as a business all the magic fades away". firstly a business is always about making money, everything else is second. japan isn't the only country where talking about money is traditionally taboo and i think this notion plays a part of it
I think that if an industry refuses to adapt to support those that it employs.. then it's fine that it dies off, because that's just the natural selection of business. If someone wants to be successful they need to improve, adapt and change. Fortune favors the bold.
As a young adult in the that is west blessed to have parents assisting me in my endeavors, upon hearing becoming a swordsmiths apprentice (given that is not something that happens very often if at all) I was more then excited. Not living in japan and not knowing japanese are my biggest walls. I hope to learn as I do not know my place in life and I hope to learn more about myself through my efforts of keeping this traditional art very well and alive. Having an open mind about opportunities and learning about old traditions and new!
That’s just simply impossible in this day and age. To live without income for ten years and still need to pay for our own food and lodging, we can do part time but have to train more hours to makeup for it? How do they expect us to survive? 😅
Shogo, thank you for concern and thoughtful analysis on this matter. I hope that katana makers as well as other traditional Japanese craftsmen and artists watch your video and get inspired to try new ideas 😀
I understand the tradition behind being an apprentice and traditionally they are not paid, if this doesn't change or the Swordsmith doesn't support the apprentice in some ways, it will eventually come to the point no one will want to be an apprentice and Swordsmiths will die out
Greetings from the Land of Falling Waters. Thank you for sharing this. It points out a problem and lets people think of ways to deal with it.
I watched the video where you had the experience of making the knife in the fashion that a katana is made. It occurred to me that if the swordsmith were to setup a side business making knives and letter openers.
I would gladly spend the extra money to buy knives and other useful tools from an actual smith.
I hope you allow a question not on the subject: what is the land of falling waters?
my guess is canada!!
I think it would be interesting to see traditional districts in Japan.
Small (I mean TINY) towns where no modern inventions other than tourist cameras are allowed. The people who live or work there, do so as if it were the edo period. This would create jobs for craftsman, as well as create a tourist attraction where people can pay for tours and apprenticeships are cheaper due to the cost of living.
you mean no pipe systems and canalization?🤔
Your face when you said "these ones are rather nice" had me laughing😂
The future of Traditional Japanese Culture may be in the hands of foreigners.
There should be no reservations to appoint the most suitable person (foreigners included)
proprietorship in any traditional school.
Shogo I really like u man. It's impossible not to enjoy your videos
I always love your content. Because of your videos, I am visiting Tokyo and Kyoto in May. While there I plan on visiting Tozando to order my own sword or purchase one of the antiques. Can you do a video going through the process of ordering a sword please
Since the Katana are considered a national heritage, can the government or even international heritage organizations pay a stipend to apprentices so that the art isn't lost?
There’s something similar happening in the US, specifically for what I’m going to school for, gunsmithing, and if I’ve learned anything so far, it’s that people say what they think they’re supposed to. “Money is dirty” and “guns are too dangerous”, both operate on this exact principle. To combat this, start having these conversations. Ask people, WHY and HOW, hold peaceful debates, and get people involved.
As for the katana culture, there’s a few possible solutions.
1: Look at England, specifically their knighthood and lordship. It’s all symbolic. Why not combine martial arts, samurai culture and make them celebrities? Hold tournaments and utilize the power of social media. And what are samurai without a katana?
2: National Institute of Blacksmithing. Form a college, a certification system like guilds (which are present in the gunsmithing community, specifically for master engravers). There’s going to be a need for restoration work, making replicas for museums etc.
3: Go international. HEMA is relatively popular, there’s Bushido dojo’s all around the world, and naturally there’s anime which has created a generation of people interested in Japanese culture, so why not take the katana forging culture to wherever it is?
The katana swordsmiths should be like the Japan of the Meiji Era. Modernize and adapt in order to survive.
I have no idea when you started doing transitions with the katana guard, but it ups the cool factor a notch.
Well personally I want to become a katana sword smith and I definitely would be hesitant to some of these conditions
Ironically, it is easier to make western style swords, a tradition that is long dead. Some makers even far surpass the art of the past. Passionate people will always exist, but japans ridiculous rules makes it impossible for most of them to pursue their dream.
There's this one kind of people
"See? They're not even accepting our payment for their hard work, then why should I pay you for a volunteer job such as this?"
My only problem is the no salary condition, outside that I dont see a problem in the condition’s
10 hours a day is longer than most normal work-days though, I think 9 or 8 is enough. Especially considering you're doing it for 10 years.
@@atom8248 especially even if they do institute pay but it’s minimum wage, nobody is working 10 hours for that.
Even if I just wanted to be a musician, I would make more money than a katana apprentice sword smith just playing in clubs.
Shogo, and what is the Ministry of Culture doing? Why aren't they giving Money? Shoulden't they give Scholarships to Aprentinces? Why are You not knocking on the Ministers Door?
By the Way, I LOVE how Your Kamon or Crest is Disolayed in this Video. Put it in Every Future Video!
Hmm... twitch streams and youtube live streams of a swordsmith simply polishing a blade would capture a ASMR crowd and be a soothing background sound and visual.
My first reaction: wow, a smith's apprentice! That seems cool.
Reaction when hearing the conditions: ...so, basically slavery but you also have to pay for your own clothes.
I didn't think there was anything worse than an unpaid internship, but at least those only last some months. Honestly, I was kind of relieved when the poster got called out harshly because that shouldn't be accepted in a society.
Shogo, I appreciate you making videos about Japan’ social issues when mainstream media wouldn’t talk about them. Massive props to you! 👍
Your new editing style is so cool!
If you can't afford what it takes to be an apprentice, then you can't afford it. You are not owed the ability to be one.
Then the masters shouldn't complain they're not getting any new apprentice.
How would they feel about training foreigners? Would that be a possible solution to preserving katanas making?
Katana training & swordsmith is something of a lifelong journey. Even the masters consider themselves to be humble students like me, constantly striving for perfection & always feeling that they can execute a cut cleaner, faster & with more precision. That is why I want to make my own while on my free time at my pace, not in a rush just want to do it right...
The apprenticeship offer is completely untenable. I feel that Japanese swordsmiths need to open up their market and sell to the world. The problem is that the law as it currently exists is preventing that. The swordsmiths and the apprentices should be entitled to make money from the skills of their hands, and as such the laws need to change.
Shogo you've re-ignited my desire to visit Japan! I'm in school now but I say to my fiance, my friends, and my family: When I'm an engineer, we're all going to Japan hahaha thank you for educating us here in the West. Many countries and communities are losing their traditional practices. I think it's smart to allow these traditions to change a bit, in order to allow them to continue ultimately.
I've always disliked the phrase "That's the way we've always done it." It implies that there is no room for growth that comes from doing things differently. Cultural changes are among the hardest thing to change in any society. I hope that Japanese swordsmiths will grow and prosper, given that the alternative would be mass produced blades that are just labeled as "traditional".
It seems to me that apprenticeship, in this context, is most closely akin to an academic program. Thus should be supported by scholarships. (And, perhaps, swordsmith apprenticeships and certification even explicitly bundled into universities AS an academic department.)
“If money is evil, why do you need it to survive?”
-some philosopher dude, probably
Is it possible for the government to subsidise training in traditional crafts? like, a heritage crafts fund? It would benefit them to keep the Japanese traditions alive; tourist & arts trade, etc.
I see it this way: I've seen (paid) woodworking schools locally, when our country is not a major lumber producing country, with houses mostly made of stone and cement. But the students would happily pay for the training because it gives them some new skill at the end of it. The fees can be seen as the payment for instruction and equipment usage/utilities. In the case of the apprenticeship of katana smithing, it is basically the same, but the master is already offering the training for free. But yes, the 10 hours a day is due to the difficulty of handling the delicate forging process that does takes almost forever to perfect. The metal is not some weekend project like how modern woodworking is just a breeze with modern electric equipment. It's pretty much a fair deal if you're comparing it to modern bootcamp trainings.
If you look at it in another way: college is basically like that. I'm seeing people (esp in america) wherein their degrees do not guarantee them a job, or that the degree they undertook in college/University isn't their current field (a training mismatch or skill gap due to "mistraining").
All it boils down to is that, if you don't like what the smith is offering, it's easy to just ignore. He wasn't offering a job in the first place. Modern legal definition of apprenticeship is different from the more traditional middle ages apprenticeship in Europe that parallels the one the smith that did the tweet is offering.
Fun fact about USA history-- in our 'declaration', Jefferson originally intended to quote Voltaire- that all men were entitled to "life, liberty, and property".... it was that G Ben Franklin who went to him and said "ARE YOU MAD??? Don't promise them PROPERTY!! Sell them on 'having' something that's totally intangible and entitles them to nothing" and so that is where the ephemeral phrase "pursuit of happiness comes from". Franklin and Tokugawa would have gotten along well.
It just sounds impossible. 10 years of living expenses. I need more details I guess? Food prepared on my own, but provided by them? Or do I buy the food without salary. Where do I sleep? 10 years, is there a dorm? I guess just how do they expect 10 years to be facilitated without salary. If they can provide a place to stay, and food, then I don't need money. But if I have to buy my own food and pay for shelter, then I need money. Do they have paid rooms for Apprentices? Are their rates adjusted for what little time part timers would have between 8:30~18:30?
too uncertain. But I mean, above all else the prospect of learning is tempting on it's own.
If it was clothes/fed/lodged for 10 years to become the next in line ok but yeah this is unreasonable
I think it could have been a test (basically living on part time jobs for more than 10 years for the skills) but I don't think the skills are pursued enough in this modern day and age, only a few would have the dedication and/or resources.
The problem is the time requirements and inflexibility of the offer regarding part time work. 10 years is an insane period of time, you can't survive 10 years without a salary... Beside I really doubt you need that much time to start creating value,at least they could've offered a compensation based on the value you provide after the first year were you receive compensation based on your contribution and ofc allowed part time jobs...
If money so dirty in Japan why everything so expensive?
Shogo could you make a video about the different ways the tsuka in the katana are wrapped? I have seen a lot of methods, ways and materials that are used for wrapping the handle but dont really understand the differences or how they originated. Thank you
Another factor to consider is the fact that apprenticeship in craftsmanship also takes up material costs that the apprentice use for training and practice.
This cost in materials, fuel and tools wear/tear is presumably bourne by the master with no guarantee that what the apprentice made will be saleable or usable.
At first i was really happy and willing to be one of the trainee but as a gaijin i think again about the term to be the a katana master student i trully cant afford that make me truly sad.. If the master can afford the food and a small room for rest i will fly to japan i think
I agree with the katana youtube channel!You know how in the western internet, people with businesses also make youtube/social media content along with their business? Can you imagine how much followers would a katana swordsmith tiktoker/youtuber would have? With content explaining everything about katanas??
The "push the idea that money is vulgar to keep the poor stay poor" concept is crazy! Big companies dont care about that and will still rake in money as much as possible, and to think that they would get away with underpaying their employees because the employees have this ideology in their head so they wont ask for a raise!! 😭
Remember, artisans back then had a stable income because of noble patronage.
It’s cool that traditional sword smiths use modern technology to contact and search for more new students, but these conditions are just unworkable. How are gonna work for 10 years and not be paid? Honestly, these traditional craftsmanship jobs should be sponsored by the government, so that they can be an attractive work opportunity for young people.
It seems so logical to be a blacksmith instead of just a swordsmith.
But from the insights that you gave it makes sense why they're stuck in their ways. I hope there is a way for them to survive and still be pleased with the way they're doing their job.
Are there really no channels that document the day to day of the process of Katana forging? I would love to know if one if there is one.
I would not see a problem in unpaid apprenticeship for such a complex and high skills craft, but food and accomodation, at least, should be always offered in such an arrangement.
I think the only way a person could take that apprenticeship would be if they still lived with their parents, that way their parents could support them and they could still learn to carry on this tradition. That's just a thought.
Sounds like a suitably motivated student could make that offer work. Might have taken a shot at it if I was 30 years younger.
There is a similar job description :
1. Bodyguard, entertainer and resource procurer and baby sitter.
2. No salary. Expected to pay for the privilege of being allowed to work.
3. Job Expectations keep changing. Failure to meet them will result in layoff which can cause
half the property of husband (cough) employee to be confiscated.
In my country ( the UK) most young people do not want to do work that is dirty, dangerous or physically hard.
I do not blame them but feel that a lot of practical skills are being lost.
As a Hellene, a foreign my point of view is:
1. I believe it’s mandatory to keep those ancient traditions alive! It’s like a crime to let aspects of a wonderful civilisation to fade away…
2. We are not living in Edo Period…
You cannot ask a person to leave his job and life behind, not to pay him and demand to be there for ten years and mastering on a craft that… is not like something that you need in your life…
I understand and I encourage that, to go and learn how to make and train how to use a katana, but it’s not necessary in your daily life anymore!
It a connection to our roots and we have to keep it BUT some people need to understand thy life standards changed from that times…
Here is a like and comment to help your channel grow
Either adapt and thrive, or Sink and Fall.
Sounds like radiography (x-ray) school: students PAY to go to school. The employer/hospital gets paid for the x-rays the student takes. Students work 40+ hours per week with little or no class time, but at least it's only for 2 years. College-based programs are improving, however, and their students do get plenty of clinical time.
It's also what many employers do with benefits: cut them and cut them and decrease the amount of leave the employee can accrue (in some cases you have to use your vacation time before the end of the year or lose it -- they they cancel your leave/vacations. Increasing the employee's contribution to insurance premiums in excess of the tiny raises they claim to give is another ploy. And excluding more and more procedures and doctors from their "approved" list is also quite common.
If these sorts of things are important to the culture and people want it to continue, the government should be providing funds to apprentices or to the craftsmen to allow them support apprentices through food and shelter. I think I remember Japan having a history of similar government programs to support traditional cultural activities and craftspeople?
You are a breath of fresh air.
There should be some kind of apprentice stipend provided by the government that can be used to fund apprenticeships so traditional arts don't die out. That way the place they're apprenticing at doesn't have to worry about paying another worker, and people would be able to take up apprenticeships in traditional arts without worrying about how they'll feed themselves and pay rent.
I like to say sometimes, "The love of money is the root of all evil, not money itself", but a lot of people still don't seem to get this and simply say, "Money is the root of all evil", quietly leaving out "love of". It seems Japan takes this misunderstanding to an extreme. Not asking for better pay or even financial aid during challenging times? It's as though everyone in this country has read Matthew 19:24 but ignored everything around it, which gives the verse much-needed context
The issue is that money itself isn't evil, it's simply a tool we use to allocate labor. The love for money is what's evil.
well if we do our apprentice ship, we earn money but you never ever could live from it. Thats why during apprenticeship all young people usually live at home. Still if they have voluntary trainees they should at least give accommodations and food. If I had the finance I would do it. First to learn more about Japan and second to learn to craft swords.
I think paying apprentices would be a somewhat easy solution. I agree, I don't think we should let unnecessary pride get in the way and let traditional culture die out.
Should be free food, free housing 1st year as u learn small task, ur labor repays ur needs. 2nd an 3rd year should be getting started pay, 4th or 5th year should be paid about 40% of sales providing apprentice is keeping up and producing swords. If lower quality swords then price adjust, offering a verify of product and price points opens larger customer base. After 5or6 years the student definitely needs to be making close to half, at this point should be refining his skills at nearly master level quality swords. By year 7 or 8 master would be making super bank if all students work was free...
I haven’t finished watching the video but I do want to throw in the idea that the craftsman might be looking for a certain type of individual, of a certain demographic, who would be able to fit that description
If the art of making Japanese swords is at such risk, I think the swordsmiths in Japan should figure out a way to openly reveal and teach their knowledge and techniques so that swordsmiths around the world can potentially keep it going; that, or it will disappear forever.
Those who possess these skills already will be at fault if the skills become lost. It will not be the fault of those who were unwilling or unable to learn.
Liking the new transitions - great video!
I feel like this wouldn't be a problem if the current economy meant that family could help through financially support during that training period but with everything being so expensive now it isn't as realistic anymore. I can see it being possible in the past since once fully trained you could financially support the family back in return but now? Everything is so different. It would also add to being 10 years the apprentice can't support having kids so either the apprentice needs to be really young or being old enough to have savings to live on already unless Japan would have a financial support program for traditional arts training so that they can afford kids since I know that is a current concern.
It would make sense if you compare this to college (but free), and you can continue your skills after the apprenticeship, and you already come from a wealthy family and can afford to not work for 10 years. But it does not bode well for the industry if you can't even afford to pay workers...
what would help is to expand the market is to open sales of katana from Japanese makers to the whole world. By unrestricting who they can sell to, even if they must use non traditional materials, would allow them to make the money to continue the Japanese sword making techniques.
> even if they must use non traditional materials
There's your problem. Not using Tamahagane would result in your Katana being recognized as weapon and therefore confiscated (if not declared criminal activity and prosecuted).
@@victoriazero8869 look I am not a legal expert. and having the laws they have in place are probably the reason these things are occuring. maybe some of the progressive views on tools of defense should be looked at more closely.
nevermind they would only be able to sell them to the international market would probably be the carve out. just like politicians around the world make carve outs and exceptions for themselves.
@@lloydcastleton Review Shogo's previous katana videos first to understand how we got here. Basically, Nihonto were made in very specific way using specific material and registered as artpiece. Anything outside that is a weapon.
@@victoriazero8869 then we change public perception from those within. it's a long process, but if Japan wishes to ensure some traditions survive then they must adapt or die.
So Is like becoming an monk. You give up everything and live a austere life.
I know this is a serious topic. But i keep thinking about what are those things behind you, on the rack on the wall. They look like torches.