‘The Reluctant Master’: Sasuke 佐助 - famous Japanese blacksmith

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Sasuke is one of Japan's most esteemed and legendary blacksmith brands from Sakai City in Osaka. Helmed by master 65-year-old Yasuhiro Hirakawa, his blacksmithing tradition can be traced back 22 generations to when his predecessors crafted guns for Shogun warlords. Today, Sasuke has been crafting bespoke knives and gardening scissors for the past 5 generations since 1867. The most expensive item can fetch up to tens of thousands of dollars. In this film, I document Sasuke as he crafts one of his finest Hanabasami scissors forged from the finest steel in Japan.
Originally wanting to become a doctor in his youth, Hirakawa unwittingly took over the family business after his father passed away and is today one of the handful of remaining master blacksmiths.
Despite Sasuke's proud tradition, no suitable successor to continue the brand has been discovered yet, and Master Hirakawa will retire in about 5 years' time. Yet, rather risk tarnishing the Sasuke brand he would rather be the last master blacksmith than to pass the mantle to a lesser-skilled generation.
Sasuke: sasuke-smith.com
Special thanks to former apprentice Eric Chevallier of japonika.fr/
*Update: A lot of people are asking me whether Sasuke still takes apprentices. Short answer is I don't know - but to my knowledge he currently is not training anyone. You'll have to physically ask him yourself in Sakai City and of course speak Japanese. His contact details are: www.sasuke-smith.com
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'The Japanese Artisan Series' is a non-commercial project by Edwin Lee (Hong Kong) in collaboration with One Ocean Partners (Singapore). It focuses on documenting little-known but highly skilled artisans and tradespeople across Japan centering on themes of tradition and succession. With Japan's ageing population, low birth rate and reluctance of young workers to enter such niche industries, these people's traditional skills are in danger of being lost.
Other films:
'The Spirit of Noh': • 'The Spirit of Noh 能' ...
'The Art of Imono': • THE ART OF IMONO - Jap...
'Wasabia Japonica': • 'Wasabia Japonica' - A...
'The Scent of Sakai': • 'The Scent of Sakai' 堺...
'The Art of Musk Melon': • ‘The Art of Musk Melon...
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Music: 'Hometown Hero' by Paperchaser. Licensed from Musicbed.
Gear talk:
Sony a6300 Slog2
Sony Zeiss 24-70mm f4 / Sony Zeiss 12mm f2.8 / Zeiss ZF 50mm f1.4 / Nikon 100mm f2.8
Beholder DS1 gimbal

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Опубликовано:

25 апр 2017

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Комментарии : 183

@jeffsandling5981 6 лет назад

You can hear the love and the hurt in his heart for his craft in each sentence...I was taught to have this kind of passion for whatever it is your doing. I just started to learn blacksmithing at 40yrs old...I wish I was 15 again, I would stand at this man's door everyday until he handed me a broom. Then I'd push it everyday until he handed me a hammer...Thank you for this video!

@FalloutMediaHK 6 лет назад

THanks for watching!

@lsubslimed 6 лет назад

Jeff Sandling - Great comment! I was thinking about the same thing

@Cam-I-am 4 года назад

I remember when I was 16 I wanted to buy a bowie knife but you couldn't buy one until you were 18 so I decided to make my own. Now I'm 19 and I've been making knives since then and I love it. Still I wonder if I'm going down the right path in life.

@scottmartin7717 4 года назад

@@Cam-I-am if you are making things you love then it is the right path brother. (also stay away from drugs and poisonous people at all costs)

@black_jackledemon6298 4 года назад

@@Cam-I-am Learning is always a good choice. You'd be surprised how many seemingly unrelated skills transfers to something else in a unique way that doesn't occur to someone else. The more tools you have in the mental tool box the more advantages to making lifes journey an enjoyable one you'll have. Best wishes in your travels. 😊👍

@zekethegamefreak4930 4 года назад

I'm a 20 year old Apprentice in America. I'm hoping that someday I can eventually make it to Japan to study under one of these Artisans and carry on the techniques and the craft as a whole.

@Soulsmithing 6 лет назад

Right upon entering Sasuke's display room next to his smithy, there's a pair of scissors on a stand with slices of paper for visitors to try. I never thought I'd feel such sensual feelings cutting paper! These scissors are perfect, they make any other feel like blunt pliers. That feeling was unique and I'm utterly unable to put it into words.

@FalloutMediaHK 6 лет назад

Soulsmithing Yes it really is a surreal feeling. There’s a sense of power in them

@sakaitraditional2596 6 лет назад

Pierre soulsmithing, you know what you say, like me better than anybody we appreciate this great master.

@grahameanderson6913 3 года назад

I feel like that about the scissors in my Swiss army knife.

@imtakumitrueno86 6 лет назад

The Japanese culture has a way of doing things, it's about doing something you love and doing it better the rest, this is why the Japanese have beautiful craftsmanship.

@FalloutMediaHK 6 лет назад

Yes, their craftsmanship is indeed a cut above the rest (pardon the pun). But also true can be said of their 'wabi sabi' philosophy - embracing imperfection and mistakes. I've recently just started to learn about it

@AC-wl7ve 3 года назад

Absolutely. I love Japanese culture because they take so much pride in everything they do. It’s pretty much the opposite of the west.

@borp6912 2 года назад

Unfortunately it seems to be a dying art, the beauty of old Japan is dying unless the new generation takes part in it as well

@raymondg.3173 6 лет назад

I met Mr Sasuke san at his workshop back in November 2017. It was a memorable experience to watch him forge a knife and give us a tour of his shop.

@FalloutMediaHK 6 лет назад

Nice. It was certainly a pleasure to see the master at work.

@1995yuda 2 года назад

We MUST keep the fire alive through the generations. This man's craft is a global treasure.

@prototropo Год назад

Yes--it is truly an international treasure.

@ydNgAlpha 5 лет назад

I just started this year. And I am 31. After I formed my first small knife, the feeling is the same as I finished the marathon. I hope I can find a master like this guy here in our place.

@TheAlex0026 6 лет назад

How do you let a master like this that lives halfway across the world, at I would do anything to apprentice with him. There's is nothing more saddening than to know a craft like this will die

@jeffsandling5981 6 лет назад

TheAlex0026 my feelings exactly!!!...I've known of this brand since I was young. I've always wanted a pair but couldn't afford them. Was so "Happy" to learn he has an apprentice now. I've grown up around blacksmithing all my life but never really pursued it...I'm 41 today and decided 5 months ago a craft wouldn't die because of "My" lack of passion and effort! Got a lifetime of learning to do! Humbling would be an understatement!

@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164 6 лет назад

Get a passport, buy a plane ticket, sell all you own, say goodbye to friends and family, get on the plane and wait by his door for him to accept you as his Apprentice. No one is stopping you.

@sakaitraditional2596 6 лет назад

I was his apprentice during 5 years. Its a long way, but the problem is, he dont accept apprentice... and even you work with him, his level is too high... nobody can learn all from him, even his 2 sons they gave up... But what a amazing experience. Edwin caught all the atmosphere of my former workshop... a time in your life, visit him while he still alive.

@jeffsandling5981 6 лет назад

Sakai Traditional I just watch and dream of what it would be like...definitely not easy but an experience you'd never forget. Thank you for sharing your experience!

@noiJadisCailleach 6 лет назад

Are you for real? So basing from what you're saying, He has a lot to work on as a teacher passing on his craft that's why students like you give up. If you are saying that, it looks to me like he is still thinking twice about passing on everything he knows to the next generation. That's sad. He really is a reluctant master then.

@diazairlangga951 4 года назад

Anyone else want to be the cool kids that use all the hype beast stuffs, and all i want is pulling out Sasuke Scissor to casually cut some papers..

@clementboutaric3952 6 лет назад

This old man is bad ass.

@nixamr3265 6 лет назад

People conserving their culture and is passionate of their craft should be able to live forever.

@tdmj2812 5 лет назад

It is a privilege to witness this mans craft and dedication. Thank you for allowing us a snippet of his life.

@khalidalali186 4 года назад

My 42 year old blanket is handmade, or rather handwoven by three gracious ladies from a small village in Iran. They were friends of my Arab grandmother from Abu Dhabi. They gave her the blanket as a gift. It was used by her, by me, my two brothers and a sister, and has made its way back to me, almost 14 years ago. It is still in perfect condition, like it was bought from a store only yesterday. Whereas, every other blanket made in factories, it’s life expectancy is two years at the most, and it starts to deteriorate after that. The gentleman just reminded me of that, whilst laying on my bed, covered by that very same blanket from the land of Persia.

@chrismylonas764 4 года назад

I don't need scissors,but i need his scissors. Loved the video and your work.

@frankthetank4891 6 лет назад

This made my day. Thank you and great respect from a swedish fan.

@FalloutMediaHK 6 лет назад

Thanks for watching!

@tomhall6093 6 лет назад

This is one of the greatest videos on youtube, thank you kind sir.

@jadengerwin2431 Год назад

its just mind blowing to see and hear the passion he has for his craft his products are truly beautiful when i eventually go to japan i plan on visiting his shop to say just that but just watching his work and how much time and energy he puts in is incredible

@rockhill7774 5 лет назад

Truly an inspiration to all fellow craftsmen!!!! Thank you Mr Sasuke San.

@ChibiBoxing 6 лет назад

Such a emotional and heart warming video, im an apprentice knife maker with a carpenter background from Argentina, this little film was amazing, thanks a lot! ♡

@nigelkavanagh2048 6 лет назад

Master is an understatement. Great work.

@procekim 6 лет назад

it is always positive to see dedication and craftsmanship. I bet Sasuke is busy for years to come. I was in Japan and wanted to buy some knives from a renowned craftsman and he was sold out for a year. Similar to Jiros sushi place. We went there and tried to book a table and he was sold out for 3 years. At the end I managed to buy hand made knives in Kyoto. 500 Euro Santoku 300 pairing knife.

@Grilnid 6 лет назад

Actually Hirakawa san only sells his knives in one particular place, which is the Sakai Traditional Arts and Crafts Museum (Hamono Museum), and they only have 3 knives tops in store at any given time, and I'm not even sure that they had scissors. And his former apprentice is actually one of the people in charge of said museum, so if you get a chance to go there agin you may want to go and take a look

@RandomPerson-gy7oe 2 года назад

Your documentaries are addicting. I've watched multiple videos and it keeps getting better. 😍😍

@malthus101 5 лет назад

Everyone says they would go and apprentice for him in a heartbeat.. but most would fail and drop out. It's like saying "I would complete Hell Week no problem" .. and then reality hits. It would be tedious drudgery being an apprentice. Ask any master, they'll agree!

@ShinSuzuma 6 лет назад

Beautiful video and an inspiring story. Thank you for sharing this with us! Great choice of music too :)

@BLOODSWEATXXXSTEEL 6 лет назад

What a wonderful and sobering video about the nature of our times and the changes in cultures. Even a culture as old as Japan's and a skill that built empires with technique that are still not completely understood in modern times.

@FalloutMediaHK 6 лет назад

Thanks for watching! It's true, lots of great skills have been lost through the ages and many cannot probably be recreated.

@Cadiangrunt99 3 года назад

Trades like this are worth preserving, watching craftmanship fade away has pained me.

@Anyarthropod 2 года назад

As a young hobbyist smith I have great respect for the masters. Perhaps if I had lived close to such a master it would have been more then just a hobby. What I do know is that this craft is magical. And the satisfaction of making something functional (even something as simple as a hook.) gives me the drive to continue practicing.

@CyberMacGyver 6 лет назад

❤ loved this! it's sad how ignorant society is towards craftsmanship and skill. Its the price we pay for cheap and convenient 'objects'.

@yapjohn19 6 лет назад

Beautiful i would buy the product right now or soon this is beautiful and pure

@troymatthews668 2 года назад

Thanks for the great upload RU-vid 👍

7 лет назад

Amazing

@FalloutMediaHK 7 лет назад

Thanks!

@zen4men Год назад

Second time I have seen this - good to know such skill, and love for a craft, still exists.

@xyr1nge 2 года назад

Everything in this film is beautiful

@ryubankailoki6756 4 года назад

Magnifique. Ce fut un honneur de voir cela en vrai, une expérience inoubliable. Je peux attester que ces couteaux et ciseaux sont parfaits.Merci.

@Eugenestube Год назад

Great work! Thank you for sharing!

@joshferguson9421 6 лет назад

Wish i could give more than 1 thumbs up to this

@GunsSouthAfrica 6 лет назад

That's so sad if I could I'd go and learn from him in a heart beat.

@DavidKirwanirl 2 года назад

Beautiful.

@brucebarnes9138 6 лет назад

They're beautiful Simply Beautiful

@obokengm788 2 года назад

I would love to learn from this man and take these techniques back home to my country to be honoured here as well. It pains me to see crafts die off like this

@JOEGGGJOE 6 лет назад

Great video. Amazing story.

@marctremblay8087 6 лет назад

Excellent

@prototropo Год назад

I hope the craftsman is the film found his successor.

@pedxing 5 лет назад

True love.

@dougie_big_bo 6 лет назад

Love your camera work!!! @and content!!!

@obamamicrowave1533 6 лет назад

Such talent! Something I find amazing is that his forge can never run cold as ameterasu can’t be extinguished

@rahxephon52 6 лет назад

fantastic

@greg6393 3 года назад

Master of art

@DavidHuber63 Год назад

Beautiful ❤️👍

@santiagocuevas6237 6 лет назад

What a wonderful craft and video. Thank you for the inspiring thus sad words. Greetings from Mexico, kind sir.

@FalloutMediaHK 6 лет назад

Gracias! I also recently watched this great craftsman video from Mexico: vimeo.com/249749574

@santiagocuevas6237 6 лет назад

Edwin Lee (Fallout Media) Thank you for sharing, it is marvelous.

@foodfuntraveltechnologyart9407 4 года назад

I like this your video you are nice blacksmith and you are making and making you are a nice sword nice video

@boburbekmaxmudov5657 2 года назад

Молодец 👍👍👍👍👍

@foodfuntraveltechnologyart9407 4 года назад

Nice

@killerkane1957 4 года назад

The way things should be...

@alainportant6412 Год назад

He set up his store in my city Versailles for a while, that was maybe 10 years ago but I think he went back every summer since the early 2000's too expensive for me then and still too expensive for me now

@HaraldHofer 6 лет назад

I'm making knives for myself and know the work involved, but also the satisfaction if it came out right and all the filing and hand grinding pays of. Maybe Sasuke-sensei should think about accepting an foreigner as apprentice. Here in Europe for example we already value the art of the blacksmith again... Thanks for the video!

@FalloutMediaHK 6 лет назад

Harald Hofer Thanks for watching. His last apprentice was in fact French, but he’s since left

@Soulsmithing 6 лет назад

平川さん！ご無沙汰しておりません。元気そうでよかった。素敵な動画ですね！また会いましょう！

@bozidargacina3726 5 лет назад

@qtpie2630 6 лет назад

Glorious nippon steel

@gulfair-cavalry-tango1011 4 года назад

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I am with you.

@Kyle-mj6rf 6 лет назад

Amazing! I would love to learn from him, it's a shame I live on the other side of the world

@FalloutMediaHK 6 лет назад

Kyle Millar And that’s only if he accepts!

@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164 6 лет назад

You're only a plane ticket away.

@pentuprager6225 6 лет назад

Edwin Lee (Fallout Media) that goes without saying.

@RasPutintheGreat 6 лет назад

If you years to spare then why not?

@krystiankornilowicz4577 4 года назад

i would love to learn fromhim. it's beautiful. i just don't know japanese is all.

@FalloutMediaHK 6 лет назад

I'm pretty sure many of the dislikes are coming from Naruto fans yelling SASUKEEEEE, haha joking

@alexanderkrustev5426 4 года назад

@Junjun It's a specific type of scissors. The word "scissors" itself is 鋏 (はさみ / ハサミ)

@alexanderkrustev5426 4 года назад

Naruto: SASUKEEE! The scissors: ??? *confused* Sasuke: NARUTOOO! The food (naruto, narutomaki) 🍥: ??? *confused*

@ericchevallier5126 4 года назад

@@alexanderkrustev5426 scissors is Hasami in japanese. Sasuke is a forge born in 1868 in the japanese cutlery city of Sakai, held by the old Hirakawa Family blacksmith since the 15th century.

@black_jackledemon6298 4 года назад

I started branching out to Japanese tools and techniques to go with the western style blacksmithing I was taught about 10 years ago. Rewarding but still a lot of Dokugaku.....self taught trial and error is flustrating at times. Hoping to visit Japan eventually even if it is only to visit shops like this to meet people and talk.

@FalloutMediaHK 4 года назад

Good for you man

@diegomadero4120 3 года назад

Sasukeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

@ahoosifoou4211 6 лет назад

Flesh is power!!!

@tommylavilla8105 Год назад

Japan is the only country in the world when you visit you feel like you are in another world

@28naveenator27van 10 месяцев назад

And strangely enough, as if you've time traveled to a past or future time at the same time.

@floridian2023 3 года назад

W.O.W.

@TheSnowdolphin Год назад

Bushido, the way of the warrior Shokunin, the way of the craftsman

@luuk341 5 лет назад

Someone best step up to learn from this great man ASAP so that we are sure his teachings are preserved!

@aronnootebos805 6 лет назад

Well honestly there have been a lot of prospective apprentices, but they were all weebs so my search continues.

@dellasus6206 3 года назад

JAPANESE PEOPLE VERY GREAT HARD WORKER . I RESPECT JAPAN . JAPAN CAN TECH US HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY IN LIFE .I LEARN THAT HONDA CHIEF ENGINIEER SOICHIRO HONDA LIFE BIOGRAPHY.

@matteodallagiovanna3819 4 года назад

I LOVE JAPANESE THINK!

@mohamedrikaz5030 5 лет назад

i would love to be a apprentice of him :love:

@Sammy-do2vu 6 лет назад

Sasuke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@brianher67 5 лет назад

I would love to be his apprentice though.... :-/

@SquishyIsBack 4 года назад

I only wish I had the ability to apprentice under someone like him. I dabble in many different crafts, but the problem is time and money. There are not enough hours in the day, nor enough disposable income in my bank, to afford the ability to learn from great masters such as him. I wish him the best of luck in finding an apprentice, and good luck with his business

@ericchevallier5126 4 года назад

Yes... I was his apprentice during 5 years. Work from 7am to 10 or 11pm. Less 300$ to live everymonth. But a incredible experience 🙂

@shaibaz3 4 года назад

I wish if I can learn from

@Sooprazn 3 года назад

When you realize watching this in 2021 that he's only going to be doing this for 1 more year.

@JEEROFUKU 3 года назад

🙇🏻🙏🏻🍀❤️

@BenPollakpdx 3 года назад

Bespoke indeed

@DavefromWork 3 года назад

And here i am, being useless, watching a man who's completely dedicated to something i'd love to do too.

@foodfuntraveltechnologyart9407 4 года назад

[2/20, 10:43 AM] loharmurari: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jnOefYQm9d0.html [2/20, 10:43 AM] loharmurari: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hh49E-oijds.html [2/20, 10:43 AM] loharmurari: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rEkeHBNrYcE.html [2/20, 10:43 AM] loharmurari: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HN10Hf45Wm8.html [2/20, 10:43 AM] loharmurari: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SjgeZXYG0eU.html [2/20, 10:43 AM] loharmurari: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yLFeknSFn7g.html [2/20, 10:43 AM] loharmurari: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZEqgNAEfcP4.html [2/20, 10:43 AM] loharmurari: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lMbh10vLuuA.html [2/27, 7:24 AM] loharmurari: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dDTSXd-3Guc.html [3/4, 10:09 AM] loharmurari: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dz9Wut3cvM0.html

@starkiller_39 6 лет назад

Naruto - Saussssskeeeee Sasuke - Narutooooooooooooo

@azention1679 6 лет назад

SASUKE!!!

@monkemonke9048 3 года назад

me thinking sakura chan must be going crazy

@godblessus7738 4 года назад

I am so sad

@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164 6 лет назад

I laugh at all the comments about how each person would love to or sacrifice anything to be his Apprentice, yet no one has the guts to even try.

@sakaitraditional2596 6 лет назад

I did. 5 years with Sasuke, and i continue to support him beside him. He is in my heart and i love him deeply as a national treasure. Many people would like to learn and say it but the problem isnt to want, its if he accept it... That is an other problem because he don't...

@Ahkuji 6 лет назад

I'd love to learn.. but I'm not sure how it would work, for I am not Japanese. I'm just some American who knows some of the culture, the past, and the language. Oh well

@stephenrochester6309 4 года назад

Ahkuji Send him an email and go from there.

@eliezermendez4623 4 года назад

Where can I buy any of these products? Regarding Eliezer

@FalloutMediaHK 4 года назад

there is a link to his website in the description

@dethkok3869 6 лет назад

3:50 brainfart

@plazmotech5969 4 года назад

soyuuuuuuuuuuuuu

@deckiedeckie 4 года назад

Where can one find them products?.....I know I'll never be able to go to Japan.....

@FalloutMediaHK 4 года назад

I think you can only buy them from his store! He's old school

@ericchevallier5126 4 года назад

You can contact them on the website sasuke-smith.com or eventually send me a message if you dont have answer from him 😉

@TheScratcherStudios 6 лет назад

Wish I could do this kind of job but every black/gold/silversmith I ask says they wanna work alone. Especially in my shitty germany you need to do a 3 year training first (fulltime with 200€/month with which I can't even pay my rent) and of course I dont have the money for a workshop to buy and just try to then learn everything by myself in hopes I can survive somehow.

@jammybap 6 лет назад

This guy speaks like 4 words per minute, an apprenticeship would be torture

@Grilnid 6 лет назад

Well that shouldn't be a problem since japanese master craftsmen usually don't even bother talking to their apprentices, they have to watch and learn for a handful of years

@ericchevallier5126 4 года назад

He talk more with few saké and beer 😋.

@jamesmclaughlinprimitivele4587 4 года назад

How much are the sissors? Reply, if you have to ask they are too much.

@ericchevallier5126 4 года назад

Knives around 250 to 800$ 1100 (scissors) and 1700 dollars (shears) then 10 000 (lacker gold inlaid scissors) and 35 000 (unique natural rust technique inlaid in gold scissors).