On Sept. 20, seven men and women gathered for a trial event held by the Tokyo Vocational Ability Development Association, in which they learned how to make goods by hand.
The participants -- all of whom were non-regular employees or looking for work -- sought to hone their craftsmanship skills in hopes of becoming artisans.
Through the program, which was commissioned by the Tokyo metropolitan government and is open to those aged 34 or younger, participants may tour three workplaces of varying occupations in one day.
The day of the event in Tokyo, the aspiring artisans met with Yasuo Omiya, 65, the grand chef of Meiji Kinenkan (Meiji Memorial Hall) in Minato Ward; Susumu Asano, 75, a traditional craftsman for dyeing atelier Tomita Some-Kogei in Shinjuku Ward; and Junko Tanaka, 57, a kimono maker for Tanaka Wasai in Taito Ward.
The participants tried sewing drawstring bags at Tanaka Wasai. When Tanaka noticed one of them sewing with uneven stitches, she gently said, "It's natural that you're not skillful enough because you're still inexperienced."
The reaction to the program among participants was generally favorable. "I was so impressed with the craftspeople who do their jobs with pride," said an unemployed man in his 20s, who quit his job about two months ago as he was unable to adjust to the atmosphere at his workplace. "The atmosphere here is good. I'll think about looking for a job again."
However, a female contract employee in her 30s who does clerical work at an education organization expressed uncertainty.
"I recognized that this is a very challenging world as it takes years of experience to become a professional craftsman," she said. "It's very difficult to decide if I should change jobs or not."
Four years have passed since the association started the program, with nearly 10 participants going on to careers in craftsmanship.
Yuta Iwadera, 28, who began working at Tomita Some-Kogei last year, discussed his career aspirations, saying: "I can concentrate on one task here, and this environment fits me. I'd like to make things that appeal to young people, such as bags or neckties using kimono cloth."
The trial events were also held twice in October, and will be held three times in November.
"I want people to use this as an opportunity to choose a job," an association official said.
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