The wooden masks sold at our store are made by Mr. Miyata, who has been a craftsman for 45 years.
I interviewed him about his life as a Kagura mask maker, his commitments, and the future of Kagura.
I：interviewer
M：Mr. Miyata
I：When do you feel rewarded in this job?
M：Rewarding? Well, I have no other job.
I：Hahaha
M：I find it rewarding to do this.
I：It's a job that makes people happy. And it's a job that doesn't have a retirement age.
M：Yes, it is a job that can be done forever.
I：Yes, if you are healthy.
M：It's good because there is a lot of indoor work.
Well, rough carving etc. need to be done outside.
Rough carving and sandpapering work is done outside.
As for the outside, there was a vacant lot around here, right?
So we polish the mask with sandpaper.
I：Oh, that big place. I see.
M：Of course, I can't do it in this neighborhood or in my room. Because the dust will rise.
I：I see. ...this area is a good environment...
M：Yes, the environment is good. I'm working on sandpaper there.
I：All of the work processes seemed difficult, but what is the most nerve-wracking of them all?
M：The brass eye. That is the most nerve-wracking part.
I：Yes, as I thought. Do you have any wishes or thoughts about the future of kagura?
M：Well, there are not many successors. There are people who dance kagura. But even if there are people who dance kagura, there is no one to carve masks.
I：I heard you have a young apprentice.
M：The picture of the apprentice is there. The apprentice is a young girl, and she was supposed to come yesterday, but she didn't.
In addition, there are two other people.
Then there is also a female teacher from a junior high school who came to learn how to make masks. She's been coming for about two years now.
There is also a woman who comes from quite a distance. She has been coming for a long time.
I：Ah, then there are those who might be able to succeed you.
M：As a successor, I can't do it now, but if I learn long enough, I can become one.
I：It's pretty difficult if they can't keep going.
M：Yes. It takes time, you know.
I：You are concerned about the lack of successors to the mask-making process.
The second half of the interview will be introduced next time.