〇Reason for deciding to become a temple carpenter
I was influenced by my father, Akira Hachino, but he never actually asked me to take over his business. His workshop was at home, so I grew up watching his work, although I had no idea what he was doing. I just naturally entered the business.
After graduating from high school, I joined a temple construction company in Saitama. The company is well known in this industry, and I completed an eight-year training program there.
In my final year at the company, I was appointed as a master carpenter to build an entire temple. It was hard work, but it provided excellent experience which I can utilize in my current work.
〇My work ethic
Whether I am working on a temple or a festival float, all timbers being used are big and bulky. When we carpenters need to use extremely large timbers, we often feel overwhelmed. We have to remain strong in order not to be intimidated by the size of the timbers.
Temples and festival floats are important cultural assets, so there is no room for error.
Techniques are important, but I believe our mental strength is more important. Our job requires mental and physical strength and sophisticated techniques.
After working in various locations throughout Japan, I have accumulated valuable experience and have learned a lot. I have an image of the finished work in my mind when I begin each project.
〇My goal
My goal is to make sure that Hachino Carpentry continues to undertake important jobs, such as building and repairing cultural assets, and endeavors to create masterpieces which will last for many centuries. I also believe that it is our role to pass our skills on from generation to generation without interruption.