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Shokunin — The Japanese Craftsman
The Practice of Ichigyo-zanmai
My Japanese father-in-law is a shokunin, a craftsman. This one-word translation doesn’t capture the essence of shokunin and the significance they have in Japanese culture.
Shokunin make one-of-a-kind products that are highly appreciated for their simple yet sophisticated aesthetics; as a result, these masters are held in high regard and represent the closest that one can get to perfection.
My father-in-law is a potter who makes macha-jawan, traditional tea ceremony bowls. For over 40 years he has been making a specific style of stoneware pottery called Shinoyaki, a product of Gifu Prefecture that is recognised by its thick white glaze and red scorch marks textured with small pinholes and cracks. Shinoyaki macha-jawan are highly prized by Zen tea masters for their wabi-sabi inspired aesthetic.
Flow
I spent a year living in my wife’s family home, next door to which was my father-in-law’s small pottery factory, or koba. I’d often visit the koba to see what he was up to and, on occasion, take photos or record videos of him working. I was always amazed at his ability to step into flow.
