Japan Diary Pt. III
During our road trip along the west coast of Japan, we had the chance to connect with several craftsmen and makers in the Fukui area. A commonality among all of them is the importance of time. Time to understand the craft and learn the skills needed for product creation. Time to practice, make mistakes, learn from them, and gradually improve oneself and the craft. Time to understand how materials, tools, and the environment impact the product creation process. Time to ensure quality, and never let time sacrifice the final result.
For example, the Washi Paper maker we spoke to could determine the final paper’s thickness in millimeters just by observing the color while rocking the three ingredients on a bamboo screen. A sensitivity she developed over 25 years. The traditional sword maker told us that the sound of hammering the metal is an essential indicator of the right temperature for the iron he uses. He has been training for decades under one of Japan’s “Living National Treasures” near Kyoto.
Eventually, the time involved in product creation can be improved through experience and technology, but it still takes time to understand what and how to improve. And perhaps most importantly, you must know why you want to save time in the first place. We felt reaffirmed in our own approach to eyewear making, particularly in how much time my dad dedicates to developing and refining even the smallest details to achieve the best version possible.
Of course, we couldn’t visit the region without stopping in Sabae, the capital of Japanese eyewear making. We had a great time with our friends at Kaneko Optical and visited both traditional and state-of-the-art eyewear factories.
We continued driving along the west coast, which reminded us of a road trip we took as a family years ago along the U.S. West Coast. The changes in vegetation, the coastline, and even the quality of light felt very Californian to us. We stopped at several cliffs to take photos and enjoy nature. It was a lovely way to process all the impressions we had gathered over the past weeks.
From Toyama, we took the train to Tokyo. We’re super excited to see our friends and will spend the final chapter of our trip in this fantastic city.
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