A Foreigner Takes on Traditional Japan
A foreigner in Japan has managed to apprentice to one of the country’s most famous sword smiths. Roberto is the best apprentice swordmaker in Kamakura – but will Japan’s traditional swordmaking society accept him?
Imagine traveling halfway around the world to fulfill a lifelong dream – to one day forge a perfect Samurai sword.
Roberto is one of the few foreigners who has ever been allowed to apprentice to one of Japan’s top swordmakers. He reveals:
• Where the materials come from (hint: you need a 100-year-old temple)
• What he puts inside the blade so that it remains flexible but can slice through two-inch armor
• How much does a genuine samurai blade cost
(Part 2)
How do you keep the blade from cracking when you plunge it into cold water?
Why does it take 8 days to polish a blade?
They say each blade has a soul. Where does it come from?
Roberto is the best apprentice Masaume has ever had. If he passes the test, he will create a dilemma that Japan’s traditional swordmaking society has never had to face. Will they allow Masamune’s sacred name to be passed on to a foreigner?
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Category: Travel
26 Comments
Responses to 3 frequent questions from the comments:
1) Here is an update on Roberto's story: One Friday night, after a long day of polishing swords, he went to a local karaoke bar. After he sang someone came up to him and said, "with that voice I can train you to be a professional opera singer in two years." A year later Roberto made his debut on stage. Once he realized that he was not going to get Masamune's name and that the grit from the forge was damaging his vocal chords he dedicated himself to opera. He now splits his time between Italy and Japan and has a successful career as an opera singer. He did pass his swordmaking certification and is an excellent sword maker, just not the next generation Masamune.
2) This is an excerpt from a four-hour series I shot on Japan for PBS. You can see most of the rest of it (in 4-15 minute pieces) in the Japan playlist on this channel. You can also see the original 6+ minute story about Roberto by clicking on the link at the end of the short.
Playlist (sorry- you may have to copy and paste): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_7VB541dEOFHadNTjae4HghjwlkDJ2hM.
Also – if you doubt Roberto's talent as an opera singer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONUZWCEE8yk
3) My sincere thanks to @volvo245 for this wonderful (and absolutely accurate) comment:
It doesn't take 3 years to know how to cut coals, old school apprenticeships were paid back in labour, this involved the most mundane chores in the shop. You were supposed to learn slowly on the side and be given more and more complex tasks while still mostly being a low or no wage assistant to the master.
Thank you all for your comments! I've learned a great deal about swordmaking from you.
Wow…Imagine a story like this in Star Wars. I love this. Human beings are so incredible sometimes. I'm wondering if this is a full length documentary somewhere?
Demon Slayer season 6 episode 1
I respect the Grind.
So proud of you bro!! 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
That menalin be winning the prize.
just casually pivoting to becoming a famous opera singer? this dude was destined for greatness
I would like the opportunity to do this.
What matters most is that the skills and knowledge continues not who continues it
No matter what you cannot break a tradition ancestors beyond ancestors fought to keep the legacy❤❤❤❤❤❤
Bro I didn’t know he wasn’t Japanese until the video said so, shocking!
3 years to learn to chop the coal. GET OVER YOURSELVES japanese blacksmiths
Awesome
Robertooo!!
Woke is destroying the world.
Regardless if he makes it, he learned something incredible. Great story😊
Here people seem to forget that outside of the US, pride in your culture and heritage is the norm.
Very cool
I want to watch the first anime season now
The title to this anime will be called: A Foreigner Swordmaker's Bizarre Adventure
Reminds me of the blue eyed samurai
This is so wholesome, yet I already know that if Twitter finds out about it, they’re going to be pricks.
Man got a chance to taste his dream, we should all be so lucky.
The heart of ARTISTY has no judgment on where you are from. Hopefully he passed and has the ok to make swords. His cut BEAUTIFULLY. I've always wanted to learn how to make a Samari Sword. It's not an easy thing to do, saying it lightly. I've had to buy mine.
Congrats to Roberto on his sword making and opera career.
Zeitgeist is really pushing a multicultural japan these days. Who nose why.