The
number of individuals who wish to become heir to the tradition of
japanese swordsmithing by undertaking traditional apprenticeship in
Japan has grown considerably.
There is neither secret entrance
nor impossible criterias to become swordsmith apprentice in Japan.
However, information on the subjet is scarce indeed, and cultural and
linguistic obstacles worry more than one. It is probably for such
reasons that so few foreigners have tried their hands at it. There is
the legend of a Westerner who would have set up his own forge by the
end of the 19th century but not much is known about him. Then there's
the better known Keith — apprentice to the late "Living National
Treasure" Miyairi Ahihira, actually at the same time than Kawachi
Kunihira, Kiyota's master — but he unfortunately passed away in
1997. Many more seem to have come and gone over a few years or even a
few months stay.
There are, at the begining of the 21st century,
about 250 swordsmiths at work in Japan. No doubt each of them has his
own opinions on what swordsmithing should be, his own habits and his
very own personality, and to a certain extent his own culture. The
approach explained here relates to the author's personal experience,
his own understanding of the culture and customs, and also to his
beliefs. There are certainly other ways that lead to a similar result,
but probably not identical.
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A
classical apprenticeship implies for the apprentice to resides at his
master's. He lives among the family and help with daily chores. During
apprenticeship, one ovbviously learns techniques, but mostly it is to
learn to recognize quality and the conditions that allow it. Even with
50 years of practice, an isolated smith would not be able to make a
fine japanese sword simply because he wouldn't know what it is. To live
by one's master allows to soak in his standards (which justifies the
importance of choosing the best craftsman in a given field) and thus
make them one's own.
At the begining of the 21st century,
financial, social, and cultural considerations are at the root of the
diversity in craftsmanship and related apprenticeship formats.
Some were remunerated during the late 1980's economic bubble, while
many demand that a pension be paid. Some apprentices live by themselves
and get to their master's each day. There are no more norms anymore,
but for the quality of the work produced.
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There
are no academic institutions where japanese swordsmithing can be
learned. To forge baldes longer than 15cm in Japan, one must be
licenced by the Ministry of Education. To obtain this licence, one must
go through apprenticeship under a licenced smith for at least 4 years,
after which period one might be allowed to take the yearly test for new
smiths. The test involves the making of one sword, from raw material to
basic polishing and lasts about a week. Most apprenticeships last for
about 5 years.
The decisive factor, thus, is to be accepted by a licenced smith as his apprentice.
Here's how. |
