２人目は修業時代の「坂本伊久太」大親方だ。当時70歳。リヤカーで日本橋を渡って三越に納品なんて時代から、総勢30数名の日田工芸を５０年続けた強者だ。当時の俺は２２歳。通わせてもらったインテリア・建築の学校を無事に卒業することになった。なぜか自信満々。根拠は無い。進路に迷う。どーせ頑張るんだったら世界一まで成り上がりたい。デザイン、建築、インテリアどれも魅力的だがアホな俺にはどうやって成り上がるのかわからない。なぜなら、クライアント無しでものづくりする事ができない。でも家具だったら工房さえあれば、商売になるかどうかは別として好きな物をつくって発信する事が容易だ。子供の頃から手先の器用さには自信があったし、単純に現物をまず自分で好き勝手に創れた方が手っ取り早いと考えた。そうして、修業期間は３年と勝手に決めて家具職人の門を叩いたのである。面接の時「３年で独立します。」と言った。そこにいるみんなの目が点になって一瞬後、笑いになった。そして「お前はバカか？修行は最低10年だ！」「同じハカリに乗せないで下さい」と答えた。また、目が点になって笑いになった。「じゃあ便所掃除からやってもらおうか？」で修行スタート。頭を剃って気合い十分。でも空回り。俺。。なんにもできねえ。。。あまりも不出来だった。自分でビックリした。自信は一瞬で砂より細かくなった。三ヶ月後に怪我をした。「失敗も多い。怪我までする。もうクビ」と言われた。「何でもします。もう少しだけ面倒見て下さい」で首の皮一枚つながった。職人はスポーツ選手に近い世界だ。早い遅い。上手い下手。が一目瞭然。怪我の多い者はそもそも使えない。当然誰も心配なんかしない。ポジションは出来る者が勝ち取る。先輩は若手に技術指導などしない。みんなライバルだ。プロなんだから出来て当たり前。褒められる事なんて無い。想像よりもずっと厳しかった。なにより自分が恥ずかしかった。でも、目標は変えない。絶対３年だ。その１２月に俺は父親になった。逃げられねえ。おかげで腹が括れた。こんだけダメだと清々しくもあった。日本で一番家具づくりに時間を使おうと思った。誰よりも早く行って、始業前に鉋や鑿など道具の練習。誰よりも遅く残って、家具づくりの練習を兼ねた作品づくりを毎日やろうと決めた。メシ食ってるときも電車の中でも。出来れば寝てるときも。いつでもその事で頭を一杯にしよう。んで毎日２０時間と決めた。生まれて初めてマジでやろうと決めた。でも、変わらず失敗ばかり。毎日怒られる。「ヘタクソ。帰れ。もう来んな。」の３段活用は日々の事だった。一年経っても変わらなかった。さらに半年が経った夜。２２：００を過ぎた頃、いつもの居残り自主練習。電気代の節約ということで広い工場の中、電気は自分の作業スペースだけ。半径５メートル先から闇が広がる。正直ちょっと怖いが、それどころじゃない。集中して作業に打ち込む。闇と光の境界線に足が見えた。ドキッ！として固まる。パジャマ姿の大親方だった。「ま〜だやってんのか〜？！」「・・・・すんません。」「１年半毎日やってるな〜！いや〜それにしてもオマエ根性あるな〜！一年もたねえと思ってたのに〜」修行開始からはじめて人にほめられた。いや。一生懸命打ち込んだ事そのものがはじめてだったから、本当の意味で褒められたのは人生で初かもしれない。うれしかった。「あと半年がんばれ。オマエに環境をやる。」なんて言って帰って行った。その後、夜な夜な作った作品が朝日新聞主催のクラフト展で入選。新宿伊勢丹や日本橋三越で作品発表となった。そして半年。修行開始から２年が経っていた。朝の朝礼で大親方からの発表。「５０年やってきて初めての試みだが、開発部をつくる。」・・・・「デザインから製作まで松岡１人に任せる。」っえ？何だ？？「ただし条件は最低３日に２脚のペースで新作椅子をつくること。出来なきゃすぐに降格。」はい？？マジでなに言ってんだ？よく分からないまま怒濤の日々が始まった。帰宅後デザイン案を６つ描く。朝、大親方にプレゼン。２つ選んで、よーいドンッ！！２〜３日で仕上げる為には完璧な段取りと１０時間の集中力。失敗は許されない。朝と夜の自主練習は決めた事なのでやめない。そうするとスゴい日々になる。６：００起床。電車の中で今夜のためのスケッチしながら出勤。駅から会社までの自転車２０分はその日の段取りを頭の中で反復イメトレ。７：３０出社したら道具の手入れとその日の仕事の準備。８：３０仕事開始。なんせ新作を３日で２脚。尋常じゃない。１８：３０作業終了。ここから自主練習タイム。２２：００帰社。自転車に乗りながら翌日の段取りを頭に叩き込む。電車の中で今夜のためのスケッチ。２３：３０帰宅。デザイン案を描く。２：００寝る。の毎日。とんでもなく幸せな毎日だった。今振り返っても家具職人として今までで一番恵まれた環境だったと思う。自分でも実感できる成長速度は、日々生まれ変わっているような感覚だった。営業さんも積極的に売ってきてくれて、結果も出た。こんなチャンスをくれた大親方の期待に応える事ができて嬉しくもあり、ホッとした。半年が経った。いつのまにかそのペースに馴れてきた。職人としてこれ以上に恵まれた環境はあるのか？自問する。雇われの職人としてはこの上ないな。の結論に至る。もっともっと家具づくりがしたかった。じゃあ独立するしかねえな。その日に辞表を書いた。大親方は当然だが驚いた。「この環境に不満があるのか？！」「もっと挑戦したいんす。」「給料増やしてやる。」「金はいらねえっす。」「飽きちゃったのか？」「飽きちゃいました。」「最初っから３年って言ってたもんな。。」「すんません。。」とんでもなく身勝手ではあるが、数ヶ月後の退社が決まった。大親方はすごく悲しい顔をしていた。俺は「もっともっと」しか考えてなかった。直後、大親方は実務を退き会長職になった。三年後、日田工芸は廃業することになる。あれから１３年。俺も経営者として人材育成をする立場。だから余計にわかる。ただ悲しかったろうなと思う。今、家具職人として居られるのはチャンスをくれた大親方のおかげだ。あの怒濤の日々は、数十年の経験に匹敵するほど濃密な時間だった。上の写真は2011年に大親方にとって思い出深い場所でもある新宿伊勢丹リビング売り場のメインステージで初めてkoma展をやらせてもらった時。俺の送り迎えで招待した。喜んでくれた。今も必ず年に一度のごあいさつは欠かさないようにしている。「５０年会社を続けられたのは自分に何の才能も無かったから人に感謝が出来た。お前はどうだ？感謝できるか？」「苦しいときは会社が成長してる時。楽なときは会社が停滞してる時。お前が選んでそうしてるんだろ？だったら苦しがるな。」毎年いろいろなアドバイスをもらえる。83歳になった大親方は耳が遠いので俺の話はほとんど聞こえない。だから、俺が意見も質問もすることはない。ニコニコしながらしてくれる一方的な話をただただ聞くのだ。今年が最後かもしれないと毎年思う。だから、聞いて咀嚼することにだけに集中する。年に一度のこの機会は、自分が納得しないと気が済まない俺にとって貴重な時間だ。今年ははじめて俺が酒をおごらせてもった。別れ際「きちんと職人を続けてくれてありがとう」なんて言われた。この仕事を選んで続けてきて良かったと思える一言だった。「技術を繋いでいく」ってことが恩返しだと解釈している。とにかく感謝している人だ。そんなふうに希望を抱いて独立した俺だったが、地獄が待っていた。当然、本当に多くの人に助けてもらえたから１３年続けてこれてるわけだ。３人目にいく前に。修業時代の事を思い出したら、家具づくりがしたくなった。今は家具づくり以外にもやることがいっぱいで、そればかりに打ち込む事はできない。でも、ちょっと挑戦してみたいものがある。 The second person I would like to write as I appreciate is the big master "Mr. Ikuta Sakamoto" during my practice period. He was 70 years old at that time. He was powerful person run Hida Craft for 50 years since the era when he delivered products to Mitsukoshi department store crossing Nihon-bashi bridge with two-wheeled cart. I was 22 years old. I was able to graduated from the art-school in interior and architecture without any issues. I had strongly false self- incidence somehow. I was struggled to find the next step. I would like to be the No.1 in the world if I have to do. Design, architecture, and interior, all are quite attractive, however, I was dumb dumb, thus, I had no idea how to become No.1. Without clients, I am not able to make my works. However, in case of furniture, as long as the workshop exists, if we do not care so much about its profitability, I believed it would be easy publish whatever I would like to make. I was confident about my skills with my hands and I simply thought it would be faster to make whatever I would like to make. Then, I knocked the door of a workshop for furniture with deciding 3 years as my practice period. At the interview, "I am planning to establish my own workshop in 3 years.", I said. My statement made interviewers stunned a moment and then cracked them up. They said, "Are you idiot ? It takes at least 10 years to be adequately trained !" I replied "I should not be measurable on the same scale of ordinary people." Again, my answer made them stunned and then cracked them up. "So, would you start from cleaning the bathroom?" Then, my practice period has started. I shaved hair of my head and adequately psyched up, however, I made fruitless efforts. I cannot do anything....... I was so unsuccessful. I myself was really surprised to observe it. My self-confidence suddenly cracked completely. I had got injured 3 months later. "You have made a lots of mistakes. You have been injured. So, you cannot be employed ." I managed to keep me hanging by a hair saying, "I will do anything required. Could you please keep me employed for a moment ?" The world of craftsmen would be similar to one of professional athletes. It is quite obvious that quick or slow, good or bad. Those who are very frequently injured would not be useless. Of course, No one worries others. Roles are taken by those who are able to complete. Seniors do not train juniors. Everyone else is rival. You are supposed to complete jobs because you are professionals. No one praise. It was much tough. And I really shamed myself. However, I did keep same goal. Absolutely, I will establish my own studio within 3 years. I have decided to spend the longest hours in manufacturing furniture in Japan. I have come in the studio the earliest and practice in tools including but not limited to planes and chisels. I have decided to stay in the studio the latest to make my own works as well as practices every day. I have decided to concentrate to furniture any time including during eating, transportation on trains, even sleeping if possible. I have decided to spend 20 hours a day o furniture. I have decided to do something seriously for the first time in my life. However, I continued to make mistakes and to be yelled. "God, you suck. Go home. Do not show your face any more." The three levels of usage are observed every single business day. It had never changed for one year. One night additional 6 months had past. About 22:00, I was self practicing after working hours as usual. In order to save electricity, light was limited to my working area. I could not see anything outside of 5 meter circle. I was a bit scary to be honest, but, I had to concentrate to the practice. Suddenly, I had happened to see a foot. I was frozen with scared. I was the master wearing pajamas. "Are you still practicing ?" "I apologize for it." "You have been practicing for one and half years ! You have guts ! I expected you would give up within one year !" I had praised for the first time since I started the training. No. Given my no experiences to do something seriously other than making furniture, for the first time in my entire life. I was so happy. He returned to his house saying, "Keep practicing for another half year. Then, I will give you an environment." Then, my work made in the practice after working hour was accepted in the craft exhibition hosted by Asahi Newspaper. It was demonstrated in Isetan in Shinjuku and Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi. Then, a half year has past. I have spent 2 years since I started the training. There were announcements from grand master. "I would like to start the development department for the first time in 50 years of operation of the workshop." "I would like to leave it to Matsuoka from design to manufacturing it. Oh my god ? What ?. "Actually, there are conditions that brand new kinds of chairs need to be made in 3 days as the longest. Otherwise, he is immediately demoted." Without clear consciousness, it had started raging days. After come home, I drafted 6 design ideas. In the morning, I presented them to the master. We selected 2 of them and get started !! In order to complete making them within a couple of days, it requires perfect plans and 10 hours concentration. Mistakes are not allowed. I had never stopped self-practice in the morning and late at night because I decided it. Then, days have gotten awesome. 6:00 Waking up. Commutation by train with drawing rough ideas of design whose completed versions will be finished in the night. Next 20 minutes from the station to the company was spent on repeated image training of plans how to make them. 7:30 when arrived at the company, maintenance of tools and preparation of jobs. 8:30 stared working. It is not normal to make 2 kinds of brand new chairs in three days. 18:30 finished work. Then, I started self practices. 22:00 leaving office. On the way to the station by bicycle, I shove manufacturing plans for next day into my head. In the train, drawing rough sketches of design to be finalized after coming home. 23:30 Come home and draw design. 2:00 went into sleep. Repeated every day. It was really happy days. Looking back my entire career as craftsman of furniture, it was the best environment. I realized my growing as if I re-born every day. Sales people managed to sell my works, thus, contributing to the company. I was happy to reward the master who gave me this opportunity and relieved. A half year has past. I have accustomed to the pace. Are there better environment as a craftsman ? I asked myself. I have concluded it as the best as long as employed craftsman. I would like to pursue higher stages as a craftsman of furniture. I cannot help from becoming independent. I wrote resignation letter on the same day. The master, of course, was surprised. "Are you frustrating this environment ?!" "I would like to challenge more" "I would increase your compensation." "I do not need more money." "Have yo gotten tired of it ?" "Yes." "You said 3 years of employed from the beginning." "I am sincerely sorry." It was really selfish but I was allowed to resign the company in several months. The master appeared to feel so sad. I just intended to seek more and more. Immediately after my resignation, the master took the chairperson role and retired manufacturing furniture. 3years later, Hida Craft closed its business. Since then, 13 years have been past. Now I have to train employees. Because of it, I understand it more clearly. The master was supposed to feel strong sad. I owe him, who gave me opportunities, my career as craftsman of furnitures. Awesome days were so condensed giving me experiences being worth of several decades. The picture above was taken when KOMA exhibition was held in the main stage locating in living goods sales floor of Isetan Shinjuku, where the master had also had memorable stories, in 2011. I have invited him with my transportation service. He appears to be happy. I continue to make greetings at least once a year. "I managed to run the company for 50 years because I have been able to appreciate others because I do not have any talents. How about you ? Are you able to appreciate others ?" "If you feel tough, the company grows. If you do not feel any tough, the company is stagnant. That is your choice. Then, you should not complain about tough." Every year, he gives me various advices. Becoming 83 years old, the master has hard in hearing, thus, he almost never heard what I would like to convey. So, I have never ask questions and / or make comments. I just heard what he say with smiling. Every year, I am afraid this year might be the last one. So, I just listen to it and understand it. This event once a year is really precious time so that I cannot leave his words without fully understand. I paid his drinks for the first time in my life. When we departed, he said, "Thank you very much for continuing to be solid craftsman." It was really nice words I was grad to continue working on making furniture. Under my interpretation, "succeeding techniques" would be returning to his favor. Anyway, I really appreciate him. As such, I had made my own company, while the hell was waiting. Of course, thanks to helps from quite a few people, I would be able to run the company for 13 years. Ahead of writing about 3rd person. When I remember my training period, I would like to make furnitures. Now, there are many other things I have to do, thus, I would not be able to concentrate it. However, I have something to challenge. Written by Shigeki Matsuoka
