Japanese
swordsmiths are just human beings. Although their specific culture is
unique, they have the same longings, fears and joys as do most human
beings on this planet.
What is important to understand is that
high-level craftsmen in Japan actually feel it is a big responsability
to pass down the tradition for future generations. They cannot let it
be perpetuated by luke-warm souls who would let fall the very standards
of their trade. Accepting an apprentice is a responsability both in the
face of the tradition and that of the individual thinking to make this
life choice.
No matter how much you are convinced that you want
to be a swordsmith or any other craftsman in a serious tradition, just
keep in mind that desires, just like fears, are no less valuable or
important than fog. They come and go, no matter their intensity, and
living by them implies a life of slavery to the mind. Just think about
what was the focus of your "lifetime desire" a year ago... !
No
matter how much you are convinced that you are willing to make the
necessary sacrifices, you have no way of knowing what those sacrifices
are. The only way of knowing is experience, and experience cannot be
imagined or read about.
Japanese people are generally very aware
of that. Therefore, it really doesn't matter to them how much you are
willing or strongly wishing to do this or that, because they know that
this also shall pass.
What's important is your very personality.
Are you honest? Because a dishonest person — at every level of the
expression — cannot possibly do good work. Are you patient? Because
patience will be necessary for you to keep going when the fog of your
enthusiasm will clear, leaving only sweat, bodily pains and boredom as
companions on your journey. Are you inspired? Because a dull mind
cannot make bright work. Are you a quick, intuitive learner? It's not
because one is taught that one learns. Are you ready to sacrifice? It
doesn't matter wether you think you are or not, the question is "are
you?".
It is very difficult to prepare oneself for this kind of
assessment. It's a matter of existence, of way of living and thinking.
I know that my entire life up to recent years has prepared me to be
accepted as an apprentice, but I wasn't counsciously preparing for
anything but trying to materialize my ideal vision of myself.
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But there are tricks that can help you avoid cultural mishaps and feel
the way for yourself.
Patience.
« All comes to those who wait. » This couldn't be more useful in this
case! What's five years, ten years, if you're serious about making a
lifetime commitment?
Not hesitating.
Hesitation is a demonstration of lack of focus. And lack of focus is a
fatal flaw in any practice.
Acting the
part.
If you already behave as an apprentice (doing your homework without
being told or asked, learning the language, customs and manners,
keeping your focus straight, no matter what you're told, always being
available and serviceable but not demanding, etc), it will feel natural
to accept you.
Taking the
time to build relationships. A total stranger cannot
become the apprentice of a total stranger. The implications are just
too great to make such moves.
...and the list goes on!
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As
in Rome we do as Romans, the apprentice-to-be's first duty is to
assimilate the customs, to understand the culture (or at least accept
it) and local history, and to learn the language. One is not expected
to become a fine scholar of all things japanese, nor a Shakespeare of
the local language, but to hope to be served in one's own language and
according to one's own customs when learning a traditional trade, one
must be plainly arrogant.
Luckily, at least in the case of
Japan, learning the culture can only elevates the one's spirit, and
assimilating the language is far from impossible. All that counts, as
mentioned above, is patience. And patience is never missing in Japan.
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So, it all starts with coming to Japan. First and foremost, obviously!
How could you become an apprentice sitting at your keyboard or in a
coffee shop in some foreigh country?!
" For how long ? "
That is the perfect wrong question! Wasn't patience mentioned?!
Thus this question shall not be asked.
Indeed, this kind of patience!
Keeping
warm and dry, making sure the Way is safe and that all bridges are
sound, and then only getting on the move is not how this is done. It is
rather about walking towards the goal and, once at the cliff, stepping
in the emptiness with faith that the bridge will be under the foot,
step after step.
It is by following the Way that It opens up,
not while contemplating it from a safe place...
It
is important to understand that the true intention of the
apprentice-to-be is more important that his words and actions. He who
truly intends to become a swordsmith apprentice in Japan is already
engaged, and that shows. He does not wait to be accepted to devote
himself entirely. Thus, commitment will show to the master, and the
choice will be more easily made.
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Step by step
Once
settled in Japan, while one is taking care of lodging and feeding
oneself and of acquiring the basics of one's new culture, one may start
to get in touch with swordsmiths. Visits and talks are the way to go,
without mentioning any apprenticeship, or at least not in the form of a
request.
Visa issues are always a challenge. The "Bunka Katsudo"
(Cultural Activities) visa is appropriate for the apprentice with a
guarantor in Japan and no need to receive remunaration in any sort or
way. Someone needing to work might want to look for a working visa, but
that generally implies working 25 to 50 hours per week, which does not
leave much time for apprenticeship. Otherwise, fall in love with a
local and get married!
One will then identify one, maybe two
individuals under whom becoming apprentice seem an interesting
prospect. One continues to visit the craftsman to build the
relationship. The apprentice-to-be must not avoid confronting his dream
with reality. In many cases, dreams are to be kept as such, and
dreamers shouldn't shy away from admitting this to themselves. One must
not be affraid to change one's mind before engaging in apprenticeship,
because once embarked, any quitting makes the whole adventure a
tremendous waste of time and energy both for the master and the
apprentice.
At some point, the possibility to become someone's apprentice will show
up naturally during conversation.
What
happens at the right time does not need to be forced. If one forces, it
means that is it neither the right time nor the right thing to do.
The
apprentice-to-be must, however, beware those who would offer an
apprenticeship too easily. The best craftsmen are the most reluctent to
accept apprentices because they know the way and know that only one out
of thousands, if not more, has what it takes. Thus, one should always
address the best craftsman in a given field. Personal preferences of
taste, personality or attitude shouln't prevail on the only thing that
really counts: the quality of the work.
Because quality is truth.
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Note to the reader:
Those
pages were written with the hope to satisfy an actual need. Indeed,
many individuals contacted me to obtain the same information. I have
therefore decided to make an entire section out of it on this Web site.
This
being said, I remain open to helping all those who would be undertaking
the adventure. If you did read (several times) these pages and if you
are settled in Japan or about to do so, it will be my pleasure to give
you hints.
You must understand that I am in no position to refer
anyone to anyone else. That does not forbid me to offer often useful
guidelines.
-Pierre
Nadeau
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