The second person is the master "Sakamoto Ikuta" from his training days. He was 70 years old at the time. They are a group of over 30 strong people who have been making Hita crafts for 50 years, since the days when they would cross Nihonbashi Bridge in a handcart to deliver their products to Mitsukoshi. I was 22 years old at the time. I have successfully graduated from the interior design and architecture school I attended. For some reason, he is full of confidence, but there is no basis for it. I'm unsure about my future career path. If I'm going to work hard, I want to become the best in the world. The design, architecture, and interior are all fascinating, but I'm an idiot and I have no idea how they succeed. Because we can't create things without clients. However, with furniture, as long as you have a workshop, it's easy to make and share what you like, regardless of whether it will become a business or not. Ever since I was a child, I was confident in my dexterity, and I thought it would be quicker to simply create something myself first, however I wanted. So, I decided to train for three years and went to become a furniture maker. During the interview, I said, "I'll be independent in three years." Everyone there looked at me with wide eyes, then burst out laughing. and "Are you stupid? You'll need at least 10 years of training!" "Please don't put them on the same scale," he replied. Again, his eyes widened and he started laughing. "So, should I start by cleaning the toilets?" So the training begins. I shaved my head and I'm feeling great. But it's all in vain. I... can't do anything... It was very poorly done. I was surprised at myself. My confidence instantly became finer than sand. Three months later, I was injured. "You make a lot of mistakes and even get injured. You're fired," he told me. "I'll do anything. Just take care of him for a little longer," he said, and we were able to hang on to our lives. The world of craftsmen is similar to that of athletes. It's clear at a glance whether you're fast or slow, good or bad. Those with many injuries cannot be used in the first place. Of course, no one is worried. Positions are won by those who can do it. Seniors do not provide technical guidance to younger employees. Everyone is a rival. It's only natural that he can do it since he's a professional. There's nothing to be praised for. It was much tougher than I imagined. Above all, I was ashamed of myself. But the goal won't change. It's definitely three years. That December I became a father. You can't escape. Thanks to that, I was able to make up my mind. It was refreshing to see how bad it had been. I decided to spend the most time in Japan making furniture. I arrive earlier than anyone else and practice using tools such as planes and chisels before work starts. I decided to stay later than anyone else and create a piece of furniture every day, which would also serve as practice for furniture making. While eating or on the train. If possible, even while sleeping. Keep that in your mind at all times. So I decided to do 20 hours a day. For the first time in my life, I decided to do it seriously. But still, failures continue. I get scolded every day. The triple usage of "You're bad. Go home. Don't come again" was a daily occurrence. A year passed and nothing changed. Another six months passed. After 10:00 p.m., we stayed behind for our usual self-study. To save on electricity costs, only my workspace in the large factory has electricity. Darkness spreads from a radius of five meters ahead. To be honest, it's a little scary, but I don't have time to worry about that. I concentrate on my work. I could see feet on the border between darkness and light. My heart skips a beat and I freeze. The boss was dressed in pajamas. "Are you still doing it?!" "...Sorry." "You've been doing it every day for a year and a half! Wow, you've got guts! I didn't think you'd last a year." It was the first time someone had praised me since I started my training. No. It was the first time I'd ever worked so hard on something, so it might have been the first time in my life that I'd ever been truly praised. I was happy. "Just do your best for another six months. I'll give you the environment." He said that and went home. After that, the work he created every night was selected for a craft exhibition sponsored by the Asahi Shimbun. His works were exhibited at Shinjuku Isetan and Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi. Six months later, two years had passed since the start of his training. An announcement from the head master at the morning assembly. "This is the first attempt in 50 years, but we are establishing a development department." ... "We leave everything from design to production to Matsuoka alone." Huh? What?? "However, the condition is that you must produce new chairs at a rate of at least two chairs every three days. If you can't do this, you will be demoted immediately." Yes? Seriously, what are you talking about? Without really understanding what was going on, a hectic period began. After returning home, I drew six design proposals. In the morning, I gave a presentation to the master. Choose two and go! To complete it in 2-3 days requires perfect planning and 10 hours of concentration. Failure is not allowed. I've decided to practice on my own in the morning and evening, so I won't stop. That will make for some amazing days. Wake up at 6:00. I head to work while sketching for tonight on the train. During the 20-minute bike ride from the station to work, I repeatedly visualize the day's schedule in my head. I arrive at work at 7:30 and take care of my tools and prepare for the day's work. I started work at 8:30. I made two new chairs in three days. That's not normal. Work finished at 18:30. From here it was time for self-study. Return to work at 10:00 p.m. While riding my bike, I memorize the next day's schedule. A sketch for tonight on the train. 11:30pm Return home. Draw a design proposal. Go to bed at 2:00. Every day. Every day was incredibly happy. Looking back now, I think it was the most favorable environment I have ever been in as a furniture craftsman. I could feel the rate of my growth, and it felt like I was being reborn every day. The sales staff were very proactive in selling the product, and we got some results. I was happy and relieved to be able to live up to the expectations of my master who gave me this opportunity. Six months have passed. Before I knew it, I had gotten used to the pace. Is there a more favorable environment for a craftsman? Ask yourself. I came to the conclusion that this is the best way to be a hired craftsman. I wanted to make more and more furniture. Well, I have no choice but to become independent. I wrote my resignation letter that day. The boss was naturally surprised. Are you dissatisfied with this environment? "I want to try more." "I'll give you a pay increase." "I don't need money." "Are you bored?" "I'm bored." "You said three years from the beginning." "Sorry..." Although it was incredibly selfish, I decided to leave the company in a few months. The boss looked very sad. All I could think about was "more, more." Shortly afterwards, the boss retired from his duties and became chairman. Three years later, Hita Kogei went out of business. It's been 13 years since then. As a manager, I am also in a position to develop human resources. So I understand it all the more. I think it was just sad. I owe it all to my master who gave me the opportunity to be a furniture craftsman today. Those hectic days were as intense as any experience I've had in decades. The photo above was taken in 2011 when the koma exhibition was held for the first time on the main stage of the Shinjuku Isetan Living department, a place that holds many memories for the master. I invited him to come and pick me up. He was happy. Even now, I make sure to greet them once a year. "I was able to continue the company for 50 years because I had no talent whatsoever, but I was able to be grateful to others. What about you? Can you be grateful?" "When things are tough, it's when the company is growing. When things are easy, it's when the company is stagnating. You're doing this by choice, right? So don't suffer." Every year I get a lot of different advice. The 83-year-old boss is hard of hearing and can barely hear what I'm saying. So I don't have any opinions or questions. All I had to do was listen to the one-sided story he told me with a smile on his face. Every year I think this might be my last. So I just focus on listening and digesting. This once-a-year opportunity is a precious one for me, as I won't be satisfied unless I'm satisfied with it. This year was the first time I treated him to drinks. As we were leaving, he said to me, "Thank you for continuing to work as a craftsman." It was a comment that made me feel glad that I had chosen and continued this job. I interpret "passing on the technology" as a way of giving back. Anyway, he is someone I am grateful to. I had become independent with such hope, but hell awaited me. Of course, we've been able to continue for 13 years thanks to the help of so many people. Before going to the third person. When I remembered my training days, I wanted to make furniture. Right now, I have a lot to do other than making furniture, so I can't devote myself solely to it. But there is something I'd like to try. 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 graduate from the art-school in interior and architecture without any issues. I had strongly false self- incidence somehow. I was struggling 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 a rival. You are supposed to complete jobs because you are professionals. No one praises. It was very tough. And I really shamed myself. However, I did keep the 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 at. "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 praise 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 coming home, I drafted 6 design ideas. In the morning, I presented them to the master. We selected 2 of them and got 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 to 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 passed. I have accustomed to the pace. Are there better environments 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 don't need more money." "Have yo got tired of it?" "Yes." "You said 3 years of employment 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 sales floor of Isetan Shinjuku, where the goods 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 advice. 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 asked 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 understanding. 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 furniture. 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.
