The next Ningen Kokuho?

[piryohae3]

I'm curious to get your thoughts on who could be the next National Living Treasure swordsmith.

[PNSSHOGUN]

My guess would be Gassan Sadatoshi or Yoshihara Yoshindo.

[David Flynn]

I don't think Yoshindo, will.   I've been led to believe he was passed over last time.   I am also led to believe it's a political issue.

[Pete Klein]

Ono Yoshimitsu comes to mind.

[Oshy]

Gassan Sadatoshi from what I hear

[piryohae3]

Anyone know if there's an age requirement? I just know that it's awarded later in life.

[Guido]

I don't think Yoshindo, will.   I've been led to believe he was passed over last time.   I am also led to believe it's a political issue.

 

Well, I guess it depends on how you define "politics".

 

Although commonly called "living national treasure" (人間国宝 ningen kokuhō), the full title is "preserver of important intangible cultural properties" (重要無形文化財保持者 jūyō mukei bunkazai hojisha).

 

One requirement, of course, is to have attained high mastery of an art / craft – which is already the case once a smith is rated "without judgment" (無鑑査 mukansa), meaning that his swords are of such a high level that they are displayed at the annual contemporary sword smith exhibition without examination of a panel of judges.

 

But while technical skill alone might satisfy the Western view of "may the best man win", the Japanese way of thinking also puts a lot of weight on the general demeanor a person should display when being considered for such an elevated honor as jūyō mukei bunkazai hojisha. One quality that can’t be overemphasized is hinkaku 品格, which can be translated as (but doesn’t exactly mean) "dignity", or "quality of character". Constant self-promotion and assuming behavior isn’t something the panel overlooks easily, a likely candidate has to be of exemplary skill and behavior alike, representing the art / craft on both a technical and spiritual level.

 

And finally: is Mr. Yoshihara indeed the best smith, or just the best known (especially outside of Japan)?

[David Flynn]

Guido, I understand and appreciate what you said.  My politcs reference,  was to the point you made about Hikaku.   Must admitt only hearsay rumours I heard when I was in the US. 

[David Flynn]

Ono Yoshimitsu.

[w.y.chan]

Since Miyairi Akihira its always been awarded to the smith that recieved thir Mukansa the earliest. Some may say its not nessary the requirement but its been that way. Maybe its the system of honouring the most senior of the mukansa? Yoshindo, if he was passed over maybe they are waiting for his retirement before nominating a new LNT.

[Guido]

Yoshindo, if he was passed over maybe they are waiting for his retirement before nominating a new LNT.

 

It‘s expected from a LNT to teach his art to students (and he receives a stipend to help him doing that), that’s not really possible if he‘s retired.

[w.y.chan]

Kawachi Kunihira is widely considered the best today but a documentary about him receiving his last ever student plus he is about Yoshindo's age and may also expect to retire when a new LNT is considered.