Once upon a time...
A swordsmith relaxes at home, sipping a tea and reading his mail. One letter came from abroad.
It
says how much japanese swordsmithing is a source of passion and with
what determination the author is willing to do everything necessary to
become a swordsmith in this tradition.
On top of that, the
letter is in English! After having finally found the one friend who had
studied English a while ago in high school, he succeeds at deciphering
the letter. The swordsmith can only wonder what is expected of him
without really knowing what to reply.
No matter what is asked,
there is no possible decision that can be taken for there is nobody
before him! How could he possibly accept a perfect stranger as his
apprentice, under his responsability?!
It is for this reason and
many more that the first thing to do, to be accepted as an apprentice
in a japanese craft, is to come to Japan!
- -
Moreover,
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.
- -
So, coming to Japan.
" 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!
If
someone pretends to have the intention to assimilate a japanese craft
or art, certainly that someone doesn't expect to realize this within a
month. 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 the backseat...
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 on the Way. 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.
- -
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.
----------------------
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 |
