Takeshi Art Beat - Yoshihara Yoshindo

[Pete Klein]

http://vimeo.com/65982553

 

This is a nice, basic introduction with Takeshi Kitano hosting.

[w.y.chan]

Thankyou Peter.

An interesting documentary with a popular actor.

Of all current swordsmiths Yoshindo is the only one who probably need no introduction. Almost everyone is saying he will be the next Ningen Kokuho and I believe they are still continueing with the system of honouring that based on when the smith became mukansa first.

[Gabriel L]

Fun piece. "Beat" Takeshi's enthusiasm came through in the video, and it was cool that he got to try his hand at tsuchioki. And it's always nice to see a master at work.

[cabowen]

Thankyou Peter.

An interesting documentary with a popular actor.

Of all current swordsmiths Yoshindo is the only one who probably need no introduction. Almost everyone is saying he will be the next Ningen Kokuho and I believe they are still continueing with the system of honouring that based on when the smith became mukansa first.

 

There are a lot of politics involved. When one became a mukansa has little or nothing to do with it. Yoshihara san the next LNT? It will be interesting to see what happens.....

[w.y.chan]

There are a lot of politics involved. When one became a mukansa has little or nothing to do with it. Yoshihara san the next LNT? It will be interesting to see what happens.....

 

I agree there is politics involved and if you look at the age of the smiths and when they became mukansa and then LNT you see a pattern. The younger the smiths who became mukansa the more likely their natural lifespan enable them to become eventual Ningen Kokuho because they are more likely to eventually be the oldest to becomming mukansa earliest. I've not yet seen this pattern changed.

I be more surprise if someone else get chosen before Yoshindo and that based on politics and system they had in place. Of course there is other possibility, Japan stop appointing LNT untill after Yoshinda retires.

[cabowen]

 

I agree there is politics involved and if you look at the age of the smiths and when they became mukansa and then LNT you see a pattern. The younger the smiths who became mukansa the more likely their natural lifespan enable them to become eventual Ningen Kokuho because they are more likely to eventually be the oldest to becomming mukansa earliest. I've not yet seen this pattern changed.

I be more surprise if someone else get chosen before Yoshindo and that based on politics and system they had in place. Of course there is other possibility, Japan stop appointing LNT untill after Yoshinda retires.

 

First thing to understand is that while talent and accomplishments are important, they are not enough. When one became a mukansa is not critical. What is as important is the political wind- who supports you is as important as who doesn't. There is a lot that goes on that is above and beyond what you can see and quantify. I am not saying Yoshihara san on the face of it isn't a logical choice to be a LNT, what I am saying is it isn't a process that is defined by logic.

[w.y.chan]

First thing to understand is that while talent and accomplishments are important, they are not enough. When one became a mukansa is not critical. What is as important is the political wind- who supports you is as important as who doesn't. There is a lot that goes on that is above and beyond what you can see and quantify. I am not saying Yoshihara san on the face of it isn't a logical choice to be a LNT, what I am saying is it isn't a process that is defined by logic.

 

Most people will refer to talent and accomplishment but like you I realise there is politics. I would go as far as saying that the politics were in place long ago back when the smiths were chosen to be mukansa their age is taken into consideration as to who will become LNT and who will not. For example a smith made Mukansa when he is in his 70s would most likely never be LNT compare to a smith who became Mukansa at age 36 because the younger Mukansa will likely live long enough to see his turn being the earliest living recipient.

The Yoshihara brothers and Gassan Sadatoshi were likely next candidates and all 3 could be, there has been 3 LNT swordsmiths in 1997-98.

The next generation of Mukansas that are likley to succeed as LNT after them are Mikami Sadanao, Miyairi Norihiro. This can all change depend if the smith retire or decease early.

I don't know if there are those in the sword fraternity that might prefer another over Yoshindo but if there were objection it certainly werent strong enough to prevent him being made Cultural Property of Tokyo a few years ago.

[cabowen]

 

Most people will refer to talent and accomplishment but like you I realise there is politics. I would go as far as saying that the politics were in place long ago back when the smiths were chosen to be mukansa their age is taken into consideration as to who will become LNT and who will not. For example a smith made Mukansa when he is in his 70s would most likely never be LNT compare to a smith who became Mukansa at age 36 because the younger Mukansa will likely live long enough to see his turn being the earliest living recipient.

The Yoshihara brothers and Gassan Sadatoshi were likely next candidates and all 3 could be, there has been 3 LNT swordsmiths in 1997-98.

The next generation of Mukansas that are likley to succeed as LNT after them are Mikami Sadanao, Miyairi Norihiro. This can all change depend if the smith retire or decease early.

I don't know if there are those in the sword fraternity that might prefer another over Yoshindo but if there were objection it certainly werent strong enough to prevent him being made Cultural Property of Tokyo a few years ago.

 

I don't think you are catching my point.....There is no "turn", no succession order, no hierarchy. Being Mukansa doesn't even matter because Mukansa is an NBTHK rank and the LNT is chosen by the government, not by the NBTHK.

 

Prefectural Cultural properties aren't chosen by the same people who choose the LNT as I understand it.

 

Maybe an example will illustrate my point.....When the former LNT smith Ozumi Toshihira, now deceased, was selected, I remember many people scratching their heads. He was an excellent smith, but there were others who would have been less a surprise. I later heard that a heavyweight LDP politician put the word in that he wanted a LNT from his home prefecture of Gumma. Ozumi san was from Gumma....Just a rumor, though one I heard many times from many different directions....but that is often how things work in Japan.

 

Often times, it is those that don't "stand out" that get selected. "Standing out" is not something thought highly of by many in a world where there is a lot of jealousy and competition- a low profile means fewer enemies....

 

Also, there is something to be said for precedent. Having one's father a former LNT couldn't hurt. I would look at Gassan Sadatoshi, Miyairi Kei as a result. Also, Kawachi san might be a good bet.

[Lance]

Politics (probably impossible, I know) and talent aside, is there any consideration given to who might be seen as a better ambassador/representative to their respective craft?

 

Regards,

Lance

[Ken-Hawaii]

Chris, is it the person or his craft/technique that is the LNT?

 

Ken

[cabowen]

The person is the LNT for his craft.

[Brian]

Ah..I do enjoy the diplomacy expressed here sometimes, in an effort not to make too many waves

To be blunt, I think that Yoshindo Yoshihara sama is a controversial figure in the sword world, as many old school traditionalists find him too progressive and his embracing of the Western market to be counter productive to the "old and traditional ways"

This may be a stumbling block when it comes to some of the older establishment granting status etc.

Am I in the ballpark?

 

Brian

[cabowen]

You are pretty warm Brian....

 

I have heard of a few things that may have ruffled some feathers....Making swords in the US, bringing unsigned blades to the US to sign, etc., are some of the things I have heard....

[w.y.chan]

 

I don't think you are catching my point.....There is no "turn", no succession order, no hierarchy. Being Mukansa doesn't even matter because Mukansa is an NBTHK rank and the LNT is chosen by the government, not by the NBTHK.

 

Prefectural Cultural properties aren't chosen by the same people who choose the LNT as I understand it.

 

Maybe an example will illustrate my point.....When the former LNT smith Ozumi Toshihira, now deceased, was selected, I remember many people scratching their heads. He was an excellent smith, but there were others who would have been less a surprise. I later heard that a heavyweight LDP politician put the word in that he wanted a LNT from his home prefecture of Gumma. Ozumi san was from Gumma....Just a rumor, though one I heard many times from many different directions....but that is often how things work in Japan.

 

Often times, it is those that don't "stand out" that get selected. "Standing out" is not something thought highly of by many in a world where there is a lot of jealousy and competition- a low profile means fewer enemies....

 

Also, there is something to be said for precedent. Having one's father a former LNT couldn't hurt. I would look at Gassan Sadatoshi, Miyairi Kei as a result. Also, Kawachi san might be a good bet.

 

Sorry Chris and no disrespect to you, I understand your point. There is political work going on. With regard to Ozumi Toshihira he was made Mukansa in 1972 the same time as Amada Akitsugu. This illustrate my point in what I have been saying, they were the 2 earliest living recipients of Mukansa rank both made LNT in 1997. That is politics. Personally I would like that change so that the best skilled smith get the chance to be LNT and not down to age or seniority. It dissappoint me that there is some very good smiths who don't win as many prizes compare to others who are associated with a better known school but wouldnt it be refreshing for the first time a smith was chosen as LNT and he is not the earliest living mukansa recipient?

Perhaps a Masamune Award can or may change the order? Miyairi Norihiro is currently the only living recipient.

BTW I do like the work of Miyairi Kei and Kawachi Kunihira, they would get my vote for pure craftmanship but I feel politiics will get in the way again as before.

 

Miyairi Kei

http://www.token-net.com/soldout/201306-4.html

 

Kawachi Kunihira

http://katanakura.xb.shopserve.jp/smp/item/1309-K02.html

[cabowen]

If LNT is awarded based on when one became mukansa, then 今泉俊光 (Imaizumi Toshimitsu: 1898 - 1995-mukansa in 1970) and 川島忠善 (Kawashima Tadayoshi II: 1923 - 1988 - mukansa in 1972) would have made LNT ahead of both Amada and Ozumi, who were both made mukansa in 1973 (according to what I have found). I think this shows clearly that when one receives mukansa is not a factor.

 

It is a decision made by the government, with no clear criteria published and with no transparency. It is all politics.

 

Japan is a seniority based society, a culture based on Confucian principles. In general, the seniors always get more credit and respect than the juniors. It is that way in all fields. We see this during WWII in the sword contest results as well. There is an interview done with Tsukamoto Okimasa during the war era wherein he frankly comments that he ghost made several of the winning blades entered by his seniors. It is all about keeping your head down and waiting your turn.

 

I agree with you that it would indeed be refreshing if politics were left out of it...As I have said before, the truth is not always the most important thing in Japan.

[w.y.chan]

I would agree Imaizuma Toshimitsu and Kawashima Tadayoshi would both have been made LNT ahead of Akitsugu and Toshihira had they both live longer but it is clear that Japan didnt want too many LNT swordsmiths, they had 2 already when these smiths were active. I thought it was unprecedented when they had 3 in 1997-98 and maybe as you said a powerful figure played his hand for a third LNT. However as I said the earliest living recipient still seem to be the one being made LNT ever since the system was brought in. I don't think it is right but as you said changing the culture of seniority is a hard one.

If the authority is not pleased with the potential candidate they could stop naming LNT and wait for that person to retire.

[cabowen]

I would agree Imaizuma Toshimitsu and Kawashima Tadayoshi would both have been made LNT ahead of Akitsugu and Toshihira had they both live longer but it is clear that Japan didnt want too many LNT swordsmiths, they had 2 already when these smiths were active. I thought it was unprecedented when they had 3 in 1997-98 and maybe as you said a powerful figure played his hand for a third LNT. However as I said the earliest living recipient still seem to be the one being made LNT ever since the system was brought in. I don't think it is right but as you said changing the culture of seniority is a hard one.

If the authority is not pleased with the potential candidate they could stop naming LNT and wait for that person to retire.

 

Guess we can wait to see what happens.......If your theory is correct the next LNT will be either Yoshihara Kuniie, Yoshindo, or Gassan Sadatoshi since they all made mukansa the same year. My money is on Gassan regardless.