The story about Japanese sword smith Part2

This time let me introduce how Fusahiro trained and become sword smith.

He went to a smithy when he was in the first year of his high school because he heard that there were still some sword smiths even today. This was his first time meeting the sword smith who would be his master in the future.
That’s when he knew he could get a job making Japanese swords and got interested in it. That’s why he decided to be a sword smith.

To be a sword smith, they have to have an operational experience for 5 years with a master who has a qualification as a sword smith in order to get the certification from the government.
And a workshop based on the operational experience is held once a year.
They make a short sword there, and they judge their technique and skill.

If their skills did not meet the standard, we would have to leave. After getting through the workshop, they are issued a certificate of completion.
After that, we can apply to the government and make swords legally. So, it takes at least 5 years to become a sword smith.

He got the qualification in 5 years, and then continued training under his master for 3 years.
So, he trained for 8 years in total, and there is no pay during the apprenticeship, so he got nothing for the 8 years.

After he finished training, he had to build his own workplace by hisself.
As he said, there is no pay during the apprenticeship. So, he get the money to build his own workplace by the help of his grandmother.
A person who wants to be a swordsmith but whose ancestors were not swordsmiths has to build his workplace by himself. So, it is very important for him to have people to help him and cheer him up.

Next time, I’ll introduce how he think about Japanese sword.