From "Tao Club" January 2004

Lacquer ware is a typically representative product of Japan and is thus also called Japan ware. Especially when it is used as tableware there is no denying its beauty and richness of touch. But why did this 'difficult' material come into use? 

For lacquer is something that can soon cause a skin rash at even the slightest contact, and, in extreme cases, the skin becomes swollen causing intense pain and itching. Those who are particularly sensitive suffer this kind of discomfort all over their bodies just by being near lacquer. Moreover, the beauty of lacquer is enhanced by painstaking application of extra coats many times over, so it is a material requiring perseverance and patience. What is the spirit behind developing this awkward material into world-renowned, beautiful utensils?

Among the many Japanese crafts, each one requires craftsmanship of minuteness and scrupulous care, and this is regarded as being responsible for the Japanese dexterity of hand. One cannot refute this, but can it simply be left at that? I feel that there is a deeper, concealed national characteristic at work here. I see in this a way of life where there is a continuous striving for excellence and it is a way of life common to those who live through art. Becoming either a craftsman, a material arts expert, or an artiste means aiming to enter the realm of mastery by living through many years of perseverance and patience.

It can also be said that expert skill is superhuman. In other words, it is something beyond man and means also to enter the realm of god. Herein lies the goal of life, and here can be discovered the meaning of life. And the greatest thing in this divine realm is 'seeing what cannot be seen' hearing the voice which cannot be heard.'

It is said that the master carpenter first listens to the voice of the wood he works with. The wood tells him that it needs to be used in such and such a way, and, because the carpenter cuts and planes the wood in accordance with its voice, it results in optimum use of the material and gives it life. The wood from a tree which has grown up in a cold, northern area is, of course, best used in a cold northern location. Likewise, the wood of a tree from a warm, southern area is best used in a warm, southern site. The reason why the area where the tree grew up can be identified is because of the breadth of its rings and the length of its knots, but, in the end, it comes down to hearing the voice of that tree. But hearing the voice of a tree is not such a simple thing and this is why a spirit of endurance equivalent to spending one's whole life is required.

However, there is nothing as fulfilling as a life spent in elevating oneself step by step in aiming for mastery. Master chefs tell us the same kind of thing, as do martial arts experts. Which means that, perhaps, it is precisely this kind of life that is a short cut to mastering the essentials of one's vocation.

Taking it future, it can be said that the essence of a way of life and excellence can be found in their unification. It can also be said that this is decided for the most part by whether one elects for this kind of life. From the point of view of the recent trend to separate work from life, this way of thinking seems impossible to accept. However, when we think long and hard about it, is it feasible to separate work from life? The significance of life lies in developing ourselves through our work and achieving fulfillment, which means that it is the very way of life of the Japanese craftsman that serves as a model for human existence. It is also a justifiable way of life in agreement with Taoist thought.

The first principle of Taoist thought is dependent on how well we fulfill our lives which we are so lucky to have been blessed with. In other words, it means living fully throughout our given life span. When we ourselves shorten our life span. Taoist thought asserts that, above all else, we waste ourselves. One essential point of living to the full is detachment. Detachment means going beyond oneself and depends, firstly, on whether one can become absorbed in and come to grips with one's work. Aiming to be a master and mastering the superhuman aspect is a way of life where the inevitable, natural result will be this kind of devotion. It is precisely this condition which most draws heavenly energy into oneself and is the essence of longevity. Thus a life spent in aiming for mastery is the key to a long life.