Memories of training era - Haoka swordsmith

HAOKA, Yoshihito Swordsmith - Season 1-4 （日本語は英語の後に続きます）

After receiving certification of the swordsmith in 2013, Haoka swordsmith won the Newcomer Award at the New Masterpiece Exhibition (currently the Modern Swordsmanship Exhibition) sponsored by the Japan Art Swords Preservation Association. Since this first award, he has continued to receive the Effort Award.

Haoka swordsmith is still making swords under the master Yoshindo Yoshihara, and he has become the oldest disciple in 15 years.  Over this past 15 years, he has had five apprentices and one of them is Akira Yoshihara who is the son of the late Yoshikazu swordsmith; e.g. the grandson of Yoshindo swordsmith.

Aiming for a higher level like the master Yoshindo, Haoka swordsmith has been devoting himself to making swords every day. I would like to introduce two of his memories of the training era.

1. As the son of a carpenter, the master Yoshindo often asked his help with carpentry work such as making a shelf and a table at his house. Since Haoka did not study hard in high school, he could not make them as he thought and this is a kind of bittersweet memory for him now.

2. Haoka swordsmith was often scolded by Takada swordsmith. Takada swordsmith is the senior disciple who is three years older and he had the working experience in society. He taught Haoka manners to be a good adult as one of the working people in society.  Haoka now has his gratitude and respect for Takada swordsmith.

These are just a few memories and I hope to share these six young swordsmiths training and working experiences from time to time.

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修行中の思い出 

羽岡刀匠は２０１３年に作刀承認を得た後、初めて出品した日本美術刀剣保存協会主催の新作名刀展（現在の現代刀職展）で新人賞を皮切りにその後も努力賞を連続受賞しています。

今でも吉原義人師匠のもとで作刀に励んでおり、気がつけば１５年来の一番の古株弟子になったそうです。この１５年の間に弟弟子が５名でき、その中の１名には故義一刀匠の息子（義人刀匠の孫）のアキラ君も含まれています。

吉原師匠の日本刀のような更なる高みをめざし日々作刀と向き合い精進を重ねている羽岡刀匠ですが、修行中の思い出をきいてみました。沢山ある思い出のなかから今日は２つほどご紹介してみたいと思います。

• 大工の息子ということでよく義人師匠宅の棚やテーブル製作などの大工仕事のお手伝いもよくさせられたそうです。真面目に高校時代勉強しておらず、思うように作れず往生した事も今では苦くも楽しい思い出。

• 兄弟子（3年上）の髙田さんにはよく怒られたそうです。社会人経験のある兄弟子で、高校からそのまま来た羽岡刀匠は社会人としてのマナーを教えてもらい、今では髙田刀匠に対しては感謝と尊敬をしているそうです。

これはほんの一部ですが、今後も彼だけでなく支援している6名の若手刀匠の修行・作刀模様についてはお伝えしていきたいと思います。