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Apr 19, 2022

"One who is obedient to nature receives the blessings of nature. " --Soetsu Yanagi

Shokunin and Devotion

"The Japanese word shokunin is often translated as 'artisan' in English. Although it isn't incorrect by definition, the translation seems to lose the spirit of what a shokunin does," says Sachiko Matsuyama, "I have never been interested in simply defining what a shokunin is. I believe the complexity of the shokunin spirit exists beyond the confines of an occupation. By drawing boundaries and defining who qualifies as a shokunin, we may be limiting our understanding of the ways in which such spirit is manifested in this world." In collaboration with 5 other shokunin, Matsuyama attempts to distill some of the unique elements of a shokunin's inner and outer life that manifest through their work. Discover those elements here.