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Taro Asano: Traditional Japanese Sword Maker
Now and Zen Japan
English - June 24, 2023 00:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBManagement Business Society & Culture Personal Journals japan japanese business hospitality japan stories japan business japan podcast japanese culture working in japan life in japan living in japan Homepage Download Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Dive into the world of traditional Japanese sword making with craftsman Taro Asano. He is one of only a handful of practicing "Kajiya" (a person who forges Japanese swords / Katana) still in Japan. He also offers a workshop in English where people come to make their own custom-forged "Samurai knife". It's a unique once in a lifetime experience. We discuss all things Katana, how he became a Kajiya, his future plans - which include taking on a 20-year old American apprentice and creating a You-Tube channel to chronicle their adventures, and why Japanese sword/ blacksmithing is more popular with foreigners than with Japanese. Other topics we cover:
How long and what it takes to become a KajiyaHis thoughts on the Master - Apprentice relationshipInsight on forging steel and the processes he employsLearn why 70% of his workshop participants come from the same fieldThe rules and etiquette around handling a Japanese Katana Why he makes kitchen knives in addition to swordsIs the myth you have to register your Katana with the police true?Plans for his 20-year old American apprenticeThe Free Unsolicited Business IdeaAsano Kajiya: http://asanokajiya.com/en
Asanokajiya Studio (You Tube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/
More Now and Zen episodes: https://www.nowandzen.jp/
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