Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture has been known for its blacksmiths since the 17th century. At that time, the area was susceptible to flooding, often resulting in famine. Farmers were encouraged to forge nails as a sideline to their agriculture, to help them survive in lean years. Sanjo became an important production center for wakugi, the Japanese nails used in building shrines, temples and other wooden structures. That tradition continues to this day, with one local artisan producing nails for the periodic rebuilding of the Grand Shrine of Ise, in Mie Prefecture.
Eric Chevallier works as an apprentice blacksmith in Sakai, Osaka. He first came to Japan from France 3 years ago to learn the metalworking skills and craftsmanship of local blacksmiths. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, he observes an artisan creating traditional nails with pride and expertise. At another workshop, he observes close-up the processes for forging blades, where the owner and his son are keeping alive the time-honored techniques. Niigata gets some of the heaviest snowfalls in all of Japan. Eric also enjoys some of the customs observed by people in this area during the coldest season.
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