<\/p>\n
The number of individuals who wish to become a heir in the tradition of Japanese swordsmithing by undertaking traditional apprenticeship in Japan has grown considerably. This is probably due to the internationalization of communications, giving a feeling that the very remote and peculiar culture of the Japanese sword is now more accessible, and it probably is.<\/p>\n
There is neither secret entrance nor elitist criteria to become a swordsmith apprentice in Japan. However, information on the subject is scarce indeed, and cultural and linguistic obstacles have cooled 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 Austin \u2014 apprentice to the late “Living National Treasure” Miyairi Yukihira, actually at the same time than Kawachi Kunihira, Kiyota’s master \u2014 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, some practicing the craft to some extent in their home country, some others turning to entirely different fields.<\/p>\n
There are, at the beginning of the 21st century, about 250 swordsmiths at work in Japan. No doubt each of them has his own opinion on what swordsmithing and its learning should be, his own habits and 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.<\/p>\n
A classical apprenticeship implies for the apprentice to reside at his master’s. He lives among the family and help with daily chores. During apprenticeship, one obviously learns techniques, but mostly it is to learn to recognize quality and the conditions that allow it. Even with decades 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.<\/p>\n
At the beginning 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 norms anymore, but for the expected quality.<\/p>\n
There are no academic institutions where Japanese swordsmithing can be learned. To forge blades longer than 15cm in Japan, one must be licensed by the Ministry of Education. To obtain this license, one must go through apprenticeship under a licensed 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.<\/p>\n
The decisive factor, thus, is to be accepted by a licensed smith as his apprentice.
\nHere’s how…<\/p>\n
The relationship between master and apprentice is personal, and for life. It is not that of a teacher and his student, for the master isn’t expected to teach anything. It is rather expected of the apprentice that he assimilates as much knowledge as possible while he shares his master’s life. It is not a superior and his subordinate either, as there is neither remuneration nor contract. There is no exchange: the relationship is authoritarian and one-way, from master to apprentice. It is not a partnership! It shall be the apprentice’s duty to pass down his knowledge to the next generation.<\/p>\n
Upon entering apprenticeship, Kawachi tells the freshman that, if the master looks at a black crow and says the crow’s head is white, the apprentice’s only response should be “yes sir!”. In other words, it is by default that what the apprentices think is wrong, and what the master thinks is right, even if the truth is different, or even when apprentices and master think alike.<\/p>\n
The master is a craftsman at work. The apprentice is the person who comes to his side, and who watches, mostly, and assists, depending on his abilities. Kiyota often says that the apprentice’s only real task is to be scolded.<\/p>\n
It is interesting to note that master and apprentice, like any other denomination, have their worth only within a given relationship. In other words, the master is not a Master, but his apprentice’s master. Thus, the master is himself apprentice in front of his own master. There is no absolute denomination! There is no such thing as a Master. Beware those who pretend otherwise.<\/p>\n
To be accepted as an apprentice in a given traditional Japanese craft, considerations of race, nationality, social status, money, experience, abilities, talents, academic background, language, one’s curriculum vitae, and in most cases gender have no importance (certain crafts are still reserved for a given gender, although this is changing rapidly).<\/p>\n
What, then, is necessary?<\/em><\/p>\n What follows could easily constitute an exhaustive list of the required criteria: That’s it. If only one was to be isolated, it would be patience. A key element of all Japanese successes and of the Japanese culture in general. Patience as no Westerner can conceive it. In fact, even for the young Japanese, patience is developed along their education. In Japanese this is expressed as “gaman”. This word has no direct equivalent in English, but could explained through the words endurance, restraint, patience and tolerance.<\/p>\n Although the conditions are enumerated above, the method isn’t yet provided! 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.<\/p>\n What is important to understand is that high-level craftsmen in Japan actually feel it is a big responsibility 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 responsibility both in the face of the tradition and that of the individual thinking to make this life choice.<\/p>\n 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… !<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n What’s important is your very personality. Are you honest? Because a dishonest person \u2014 at every level of the expression \u2014 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 whether you think you are or not, the question is “are you?”.<\/p>\n 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 consciously preparing for anything but trying to materialize my ideal vision of myself.<\/p>\n But there are tricks that can help you avoid cultural mishaps and feel the way for yourself.<\/p>\n Patience. \u00ab All comes to those who wait. \u00bb This couldn’t be more useful in this case! What’s five years, ten years, if you’re serious about making a lifetime commitment?<\/p>\n Not hesitating. Hesitation is a demonstration of lack of focus. And lack of focus is a fatal flaw in any practice.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n …and the list goes on!<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n So, it all starts with coming to Japan. First and foremost, obviously! ” For how long ? ”<\/p>\n That is the perfect wrong question! Wasn’t patience mentioned?! 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.<\/p>\n It is by following the Way that It opens up, 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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 remuneration 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!<\/p>\n 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 afraid 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.<\/p>\n At some point, the possibility to become someone’s apprentice will show up naturally during conversation.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The apprentice-to-be must, however, beware those who would offer an apprenticeship too easily. The best craftsmen are the most reluctant 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 shouldn’t prevail on the only thing that really counts: the quality of the work.<\/p>\n Because quality is truth.<\/p>\n Note to the reader:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n This being said, I remain open to helping all those who would be undertaking the adventure. If you did read (several times) these points and if you are settled in Japan or about to do so, it will be my pleasure to give you hints.<\/p>\n You must understand that I am in no position to refer anyone to anyone else. That does not forbid me from offering often useful guidelines.Le nombre d’individus souhaitant devenir forgeron d’arme en suivant un apprentissage traditionnel au Japon a beaucoup augment\u00e9.<\/p>\n Il n’y a ni porte secr\u00e8te ni crit\u00e8re \u00e9litiste pour devenir apprenti-forgeron de sabre au Japon. Toutefois l’information est rare et les barri\u00e8res culturelle et linguistique en inqui\u00e8tent plus d’un. C’est probablement pour cette raison que si peu d’\u00e9trangers ont mis la main \u00e0 la p\u00e2te. Il y a la l\u00e9gende d’un Am\u00e9ricain qui aurait install\u00e9 sa forge dans l’est du Japon vers la fin du XIXe si\u00e8cle mais on n’en sait gu\u00e8re \u00e0 son sujet. Il y a le mieux connu Keith Austin \u2014 apprenti du Tr\u00e9sor National Vivant Miyairi Akihira, d’ailleurs en m\u00eame temps que Kawachi Kunihira, le ma\u00eetre de Kiyota \u2014 mais il est malheureusement d\u00e9c\u00e9d\u00e9 en 1997. Plusieurs autres auraient tent\u00e9 leur chance puis abandonn\u00e9 apr\u00e8s quelques ann\u00e9es, voire quelques mois.<\/p>\n Il y a, \u00e0 l’aube du XXIe si\u00e8cle, environ 250 forgerons de sabre japonais actifs. Sans nul doute, chacun a sa propre vision de l’id\u00e9al forgeron, ses habitudes et sa personalit\u00e9 bien \u00e0 lui et dans une certaine mesure sa propre culture. La fa\u00e7on expliqu\u00e9e ici se r\u00e9f\u00e8re \u00e0 l’exp\u00e9rience personnelle de l’auteur, sa compr\u00e9hension de la culture et des moeurs et aussi \u00e0 ses convictions. Il y a certainement plusieurs autres voies qui m\u00e8nent \u00e0 un r\u00e9sultat similaire, mais certainement pas identique.<\/p>\n Traditionnellement, un apprentissage implique que l’apprenti r\u00e9side chez son ma\u00eetre. Il vit au sein de la famille et aide aux t\u00e2ches m\u00e9nag\u00e8res. Durant ce temps, on apprend bien s\u00fbr des techniques, mais plus important encore on apprend \u00e0 reconnaitre la qualit\u00e9 et les conditions qui permettent d’y acc\u00e9der. M\u00eame avec des d\u00e9cennies de pratique, un forgeron isol\u00e9 ne saurait fabriquer de fines lames tout simplement parce qu’il ne connait pas ladite qualit\u00e9. Vivre aupr\u00e8s du ma\u00eetre permet de tremper dans les standards de celui-ci (ce qui justifie l’importance de choisir le meilleur artisan dans son domaine) et d’en prendre cons\u00e9quement les couleurs.<\/p>\n Aujourd’hui, des consid\u00e9rations financi\u00e8res, sociales et culturelles font qu’il y a autant de saveurs d’apprentissage qu’il y a de ma\u00eetres. Certains ont m\u00eame \u00e9t\u00e9 r\u00e9mun\u00e9r\u00e9s durant la bulle \u00e9conomique des ann\u00e9es 1980, alors que plusieurs demandent le paiement d’une pension. Certains apprentis vivent seuls et se rendent chez leur ma\u00eetre quotidiennement. Il n’y a plus de norme, sauf pour la qualit\u00e9 esp\u00e9r\u00e9e du travail.<\/p>\n Il n’existe actuellement aucune institution acad\u00e9mique o\u00f9 la forge de sabre japonaise peut \u00eatre apprise. Pour forger des lames de plus de 15cm au Japon, on doit poss\u00e9der une licence \u00e9mise par le Minist\u00e8re de l’\u00c9ducation. Pour obtenir cette licence, on doit suivre un apprentissage aupr\u00e8s d’un d\u00e9tenteur de ladite licence pendant au moins quatre ans, apr\u00e8s quoi il est possible de passer l’examen annuel des nouveaux forgerons. L’examen consiste en la fabrication d’un sabre \u00e0 partir de la mati\u00e8re premi\u00e8re jusqu’au polissage de base et dure environ une semaine. La plupart des apprentissages durent au moins cinq ans.<\/p>\n L’\u00e9l\u00e9ment d\u00e9terminant est donc d’\u00eatre accept\u00e9 aupr\u00e8s d’un forgeron licenci\u00e9. La relation du ma\u00eetre et de l’apprenti est unique en ce qu’elle est personnelle et \u00e0 vie. Il ne s’agit pas d’un professeur et de son \u00e9l\u00e8ve car le ma\u00eetre n’est pas tenu d’enseigner quoi que ce soit. C’est plut\u00f4t \u00e0 l’apprenti d’assimiler le plus possible pendant qu’il vit aupr\u00e8s de son ma\u00eetre. Il ne s’agit pas plus d’un patron et de son subordonn\u00e9 \u00e9tant donn\u00e9 qu’il n’y a ni r\u00e9mun\u00e9ration ni entente contractuelle. Il n’y a pas d’\u00e9changes: la relation est autoritaire et \u00e0 sens unique. Ce n’est pas un partenariat! Ce sera \u00e0 l’apprenti de transmettre son bagage de connaissances \u00e0 la prochaine g\u00e9n\u00e9ration.<\/p>\n Lors de l’entr\u00e9e en apprentissage, Kawachi dit au nouveau-venu que, si le ma\u00eetre observe un corbeau et affirme que sa t\u00eate est blanche, la seule r\u00e9ponse acceptable de la part de l’apprenti est “hai!” (l’\u00e9quivalent en japonais de \u00aboui m’sieur!\u00bb). Il doit \u00eatre entendu que, par d\u00e9faut, l’apprenti a tort et son ma\u00eetre a raison, m\u00eame lorsque la r\u00e9alit\u00e9 est diff\u00e9rente, m\u00eame lorsque ma\u00eetre et apprenti pensent la m\u00eame chose. Le nouvel apprenti doit se pr\u00e9senter comme un canvas vierge, comme cette anecdote du ma\u00eetre zen qui remarque au nouveau-venu trop bavare: \u00abComment puis-je te servir du th\u00e9 si ta tasse est d\u00e9j\u00e0 pleine? \u00bb<\/p>\n Cela n’implique de se nier ou s’annihiler, comme souvent on l’interpr\u00e8te dans l’Ouest. Il s’agit plut\u00f4t d’une attitude d’ouverture et de respect. On doit \u00e9videment accepter que, si l’on souhaite venir \u00e9tudier aupr\u00e8s d’un artisan, c’est probablement parce qu’on le consid\u00e8re plus comp\u00e9tent que soi.<\/p>\n Le ma\u00eetre est un artisan au travail. L’apprenti est la personne qui vient aupr\u00e8s de lui et qui l’observe, surtout, et qui l’assiste, dans la mesure de sa capacit\u00e9. Il n’est pas son assistant ni son homme \u00e0 tout faire. Il est l’apprenti et c’est une nature en soi.<\/p>\n Il est \u00e0 noter que ma\u00eetre et apprenti, comme n’importe quel autre titre, n’ont lieu d’\u00eatre qu’\u00e0 m\u00eame une relation donn\u00e9e. En d’autres mots, le ma\u00eetre n’est pas un Ma\u00eetre, mais le ma\u00eetre de son apprenti. Le ma\u00eetre est donc lui-m\u00eame l’apprenti de son propre ma\u00eetre. Il n’y a pas de d\u00e9nommination asbolue. Il n’y a pas de Ma\u00eetre. M\u00e9fiez-vous de ceux qui pr\u00e9tendent autrement.<\/p>\n Pour \u00eatre accept\u00e9 comme apprenti dans un corps de m\u00e9tier traditionnel japonais, les consid\u00e9rations de race, de nationalit\u00e9, de statut social, d’argent, l’exp\u00e9rience, les habilet\u00e9s, les talents, le bagage acad\u00e9mique, la langue, le curriculum vitae et dans la plupart des cas le sexe n’ont aucune importance (certains milieux traditionnels japonais se r\u00e9servent encore pour un seul sexe, bien que cela change rapidement).<\/p>\n Que faut-il donc?!<\/em><\/p>\n Ce qui suit pourrait facilement constituer une liste exhaustive des conditions d’admissibilit\u00e9 (et non d’admission!): C’est tout. S’il fallait en isoler une seule, ce serait la patience. \u00c9l\u00e9ment-cl\u00e9 de tous les succ\u00e8s japonais et de la culture nippone en g\u00e9n\u00e9ral. La patience comme nul Occidental ne peut la concevoir. En fait, m\u00eame pour le jeune Japonais, elle est d\u00e9velopp\u00e9e et acquise au cours de son \u00e9ducation. En japonais, on fait r\u00e9f\u00e9rence au concept “gaman” qui n’a pas d’\u00e9quivalent direct en fran\u00e7ais. On pourrait l’expliquer avec des expressions comme endurance, retenue, patience et tol\u00e9rance.<\/p>\n Bien que sont \u00e9num\u00e9r\u00e9es ici les conditions principales, il n’y a pas la m\u00e9thode! Les forgerons de sabre japonais sont tout d’abord des humains. Bien que leur culture soit particuli\u00e8re, ils entretiennent les m\u00eames r\u00eaves, peurs et joies que la plupart des humains sur cette plan\u00e8te.<\/p>\n Ce qui est important de comprendre au sujet des artisans japonais de haut niveau concerne leur sens de la responsabilit\u00e9 lorsque vient le temps de perp\u00e9tuer la tradition. Les \u00e2mes ti\u00e8des qui ne sauraient maintenir les standards de la pratique ne sont pas les bienvenues. Accepter un apprenti implique une responsabilit\u00e9 aux yeux de la tradition et de la personne souhaitant entreprendre la d\u00e9marche.<\/p>\n Peu importe \u00e0 quel point vous \u00eates convaincu de vouloir devenir un forgeron de sabre ou tout autre artisan dans une tradition importante, il faut garder \u00e0 l’esprit que les d\u00e9sirs, comme les peurs, sont aussi fiables que le brouillard. Ils viennent et passent, peu importe leur intensit\u00e9 et vivre \u00e0 leurs d\u00e9pends garantie une existence d’esclavage. Tentez seulement de penser \u00e0 ce qui \u00e9tait le “r\u00eave de votre vie” il y a un an… !<\/p>\n Les Japonais sont culturellement assez conscients de \u00e7a. Ils ne seront donc gu\u00e8re impression\u00e9s, peu importe votre volont\u00e9 ou d\u00e9termination de faire ci ou \u00e7a car ils savent que, \u00e7a aussi, passera.<\/p>\n Ce qui importe vraiment est la personalit\u00e9. \u00cates-vous honn\u00eate? Parce qu’une personne malhonn\u00eate – sous toutes les formes de l’expression – ne saurait faire du bon travail. \u00cates-vous patient? Car la patience vous sera n\u00e9cessaire lorsque le brouillard de votre enthousiasme se dissipera pour laisser place \u00e0 la sueur, aux douleurs physiques et \u00e0 l’ennui comme seuls compagnons de parcours. \u00cates-vous inspir\u00e9? Car un esprit terne ne pourrait accomplir un travail brillant. \u00cates-vous rapide et intuitif? Ce n’est pas parce qu’on lui enseigne que l’\u00e9l\u00e8ve apprend. \u00cates-vous pr\u00eat \u00e0 faire des sacrifices? \u00c7a n’a en fait aucune importance si vous pensez que vous l’\u00eates ou pas, la question est “l’\u00eates-vous?”.<\/p>\n Il est tr\u00e8s difficile de se pr\u00e9parer pour ce genre d’\u00e9valuation de sa personne. C’est une question de vie, de fa\u00e7on de vivre et de penser. Je sais maintenant que toute ma vie m’a pr\u00e9par\u00e9 \u00e0 \u00eatre accept\u00e9 comme apprenti, mais jamais n’ais-je commis une action en ayant conscience de me pr\u00e9parer pour quoi que ce soit, sinon r\u00e9aliser l’id\u00e9al de moi-m\u00eame.<\/p>\n Il y a pourtant quelques trucs qui peuvent aider \u00e0 \u00e9viter les faux-pas culturels et se faire une id\u00e9e du chemin \u00e0 venir.<\/p>\n La patience. \u00ab Tout vient \u00e0 point \u00e0 qui sait attendre. \u00bb \u00c7a ne pourrait \u00eatre plus utile que dans une telle situation. Qu’est-ce que cinq, dix ans, si on est s\u00e9rieux \u00e0 propos de ce choix de vie?<\/p>\n Pas d’h\u00e9sitation. L’h\u00e9sitation est la cons\u00e9quence du manque de concentration. Et le manque de concentration est une faille fatale dans n’importe quelle pratique.<\/p>\n Jouer son r\u00f4le. Si vous vous comportez d\u00e9j\u00e0 comme l’apprenti (faire vos devoirs sans se le faire dire, apprendre la langue, les coutumes et mani\u00e8res, garder son foyer clair, peu importe ce qu’on vous dit, \u00eatre toujours disponible et serviable mais pas demandant, etc), il sera tout naturel de vous accepter.<\/p>\n …et la liste s’allonge!<\/p>\n On dit qu’\u00e0 Rome on fait comme les Romains. Le premier devoir de l’aspirant apprenti est d’assimiler les moeurs, comprendre la culture (ou du moins l’accepter) et l’histoire locale, apprendre la langue. Il ne s’agit pas de devenir un fin intellectuel du japonisme, ni un Moli\u00e8re de la langue locale, mais encore, que d’esp\u00e9rer \u00eatre servi dans sa propre langue et selon ses propres moeurs pour apprendre un m\u00e9tier traditionnel local, il faut \u00eatre passablement arrogant.<\/p>\n Heureusement, \u00e0 tout le moins dans le cas du Japon, apprendre la culture ne fera qu’\u00e9lever l’\u00e2me et assimiler la langue est loin d’\u00eatre impossible. Tout ce qui compte, tel que mentionn\u00e9 plus haut, c’est la patience. Or, il n’en manque jamais au Japon.<\/p>\n Tout commence donc par venir au Japon. En premier et tout d’abord! \u00ab Pendant combien de temps? \u00bb<\/p>\n Voil\u00e0 la mauvaise question id\u00e9ale! La patience n’a-t-elle pas \u00e9t\u00e9 mentionn\u00e9e?! Donc cette question ne se pose pas. Il ne s’agit pas de s’assurer que la voie est libre, qu’elle est s\u00e9curis\u00e9e et que tous les ponts sont s\u00fbrs, puis de s’engager, mais plut\u00f4t de marcher et, lorsqu’arriv\u00e9 au ravin, de mettre le pied dans le vide en ayant confiance qu’il y aura un pont, pas apr\u00e8s pas.<\/p>\n C’est en s’engageant sur elle que la Voie s’ouvre, Il faut comprendre que l’intention v\u00e9ritable de l’aspirant apprenti est plus importante que ses actions et ses paroles. Celui qui pr\u00e9tend r\u00e9ellement vouloir devenir forgeron de sabre au Japon est d\u00e9j\u00e0 engag\u00e9 sur la Voie. Il n’attend pas qu’on lui ouvre des portes pour lui-m\u00eame se d\u00e9vouer. Ainsi la d\u00e9termination sera apparente au ma\u00eetre et le choix sera beaucoup plus facile.<\/p>\n Une fois install\u00e9 au Japon, alors qu’on s’occupe de se loger, se nourrir et acqu\u00e9rir les bases de sa nouvelles culture, on commence \u00e0 entrer en contact avec des artisans du milieu, on les visite, sans mentionner d’apprentissage, du moins pas sur le ton d’une requ\u00eate.<\/p>\n Les probl\u00e8mes de visa sont toujours un d\u00e9fi. Le visa Bunka Katsud\u014d \u6587\u5316\u6d3b\u52d5(Activit\u00e9s Culturelles) est id\u00e9al pour l’apprenti avec une personne garante au Japon et aucun besoin de recevoir de revenus. Quelqu’un ayant besoin de travailler devrait d’abord chercher pour un visa de travail, mais cela implique g\u00e9n\u00e9ralement de 25 \u00e0 50 heures de travail par semaine en plus de requ\u00e9rir un dipl\u00f4me universitaire au d\u00e9part, ce qui ne laisse pas de temps pour l’apprentissage. Autrement, tomber en amour avec une locale et se marier est une excellente option!<\/p>\n On finit par identifier un, peut-\u00eatre deux individus dont l’\u00e9ventualit\u00e9 de devenir l’apprenti n’est pas d\u00e9plaisante. On continue de visiter l’artisan, on construit une relation. L’aspirant ne doit pas \u00e9viter de confronter son r\u00eave \u00e0 la r\u00e9alit\u00e9. Pour plusieurs r\u00eaveurs, ils n’osent pas s’avouer qu’ils pr\u00e9f\u00e8rent pr\u00e9server leur projet \u00e0 l’\u00e9tat de r\u00eave plut\u00f4t que d’accoucher dans la r\u00e9alit\u00e9. Il ne faut pas avoir peur de changer d’id\u00e9e au d\u00e9part, car une fois engag\u00e9 sur la Voie, tout abandon est une perte de temps et d’\u00e9nergie incroyable tant pour soi-m\u00eame que pour le ma\u00eetre.<\/p>\n \u00c0 un certain moment, la possibilit\u00e9 de devenir apprenti appara\u00eetra naturellement dans la conversation.<\/p>\n Ce qui se fait au bon moment, se fait sans forcer. Si on doit forcer, c’est que ce n’est ni le bon moment, ni la bonne chose \u00e0 faire.<\/p>\n L’aspirant doit, malgr\u00e9 tout, se m\u00e9fier aussi de ceux qui offrent un apprentissage un peu trop facilement. Les artisans ayant les plus hauts standards de qualit\u00e9 sont les plus r\u00e9ticents \u00e0 accepter des apprentis car ils connaissent le chemin et savent qu’une seule personne sur des milliers, voire plus, n’a la constitution pour y voyager. Ainsi, on devrait toujours s’adresser au meilleur artisan dans son domaine. Les pr\u00e9f\u00e9rences personnelles de go\u00fbt, de personalit\u00e9 ou d’attitude ne doivent pas pr\u00e9valoir sur la seule chose qui compte: la qualit\u00e9 du travail.<\/p>\n Car la qualit\u00e9, c’est la v\u00e9rit\u00e9.<\/p>\n Note au lecteur:<\/p>\n Ces pages ont \u00e9t\u00e9 r\u00e9dig\u00e9es afin de r\u00e9pondre \u00e0 une demande v\u00e9ritable. Plusieurs personnes m’ont en effet contact\u00e9 pour obtenir la m\u00eame information. J’ai donc d\u00e9cid\u00e9 d’en faire une section sur le pr\u00e9sent site.<\/p>\n Ceci \u00e9tant dit, je demeure ouvert \u00e0 aider tous ceux (et celles?) qui entreprendraient de devenir forgeron au Japon. Si vous avez lu (plusieurs fois) les lignes ci-haut et que vous \u00eates install\u00e9 au Japon ou vous appr\u00eatez \u00e0 le faire, il me fera plaisir de vous guider.<\/p>\n Vous comprendrez que je ne suis \u00e9videment pas dans une position pour r\u00e9f\u00e9rer qui que ce soit \u00e0 qui que ce soit d’autre. Il n’emp\u00eache que je peux toujours fournir des lignes guides bien pratiques.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The number of individuals who wish to become a heir in the tradition of Japanese swordsmithing by undertaking traditional apprenticeship in Japan has grown considerably. This is probably due to the internationalization of communications, giving a feeling that the very remote and peculiar culture of the Japanese sword is now more accessible, and it probably […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":294,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,27,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-craftsmen","category-the-journey","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/soulsmithing.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/soulsmithing.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/soulsmithing.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/soulsmithing.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/soulsmithing.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=455"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/soulsmithing.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1221,"href":"https:\/\/soulsmithing.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455\/revisions\/1221"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/soulsmithing.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/soulsmithing.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/soulsmithing.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/soulsmithing.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n– Be liked by the master
\nNot by consciously charming him, but rather simply with one’s nature, just as strangers who like or dislike each other at first sight; the apprentice-to-be does not have much control over this.
\n– Patience
\n– Honesty
\n– Modesty
\n– Silence
\n– Devotion and sustained effort
\n– Open mindness and flexibility
\n(mostly related to unavoidable cultural tensions)<\/p>\n
\nRead on…<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\nHow could you become an apprentice sitting at your keyboard or in a coffee shop in some foreigh country?!<\/p>\n
\nThus this question shall not be asked.
\nIndeed, this kind of patience!<\/p>\n
\nnot while contemplating it from a safe place…<\/p>\n
\nStep by step<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
\nVoici comment.<\/p>\nLe ma\u00eetre et l’apprenti<\/h3>\n
Conditions<\/h3>\n
\n– Plaire au ma\u00eetre
\nNon pas en lui faisant la cours, mais simplement dans sa nature, comme deux \u00e9trangers qui s’appr\u00e9cient ou se m\u00e9fient; l’aspirant apprenti n’a pas beaucoup de contr\u00f4le sur cet aspect
\n– La patience
\n– L’honn\u00eatet\u00e9
\n– La modestie
\n– Le silence
\n– La d\u00e9votion et l’effort soutenu
\n– L’ouverture d’esprit et la flexibilit\u00e9
\n(surtout \u00e0 cause des tensions culturelles in\u00e9vitables)<\/p>\n
\nSuivante…<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\nComment pourriez-vous devenir apprenti au Japon en demeurant devant votre clavier ou dans un caf\u00e9 \u00e0 l’\u00e9tranger?!<\/p>\n
\nEn effet, il s’agit de ce genre de patience-l\u00e0!<\/p>\n
\npas en la contemplant du fond d’un h\u00e2vre de s\u00e9curit\u00e9…<\/p>\n
\nDans l’ordre<\/h3>\n
\n