Advice on Craft From a Living National Treasure

Preface: I wrote this newsletter article ten years ago(!) and have revisited the same question a few times since. Why do leatherworking? Are you after a particular style of wallet or bag? You could feasibly buy one in a store, but you don’t. Something inside compels you to strike out and make the thing yourself. When you first start, you’re excited about the craft and the possibilities. You might have a dream project that you want to make. Ten years after writing this post I still occasionally hit a wall in my creativity, in my craft, or in my desire to continue.

You may not have seen this post initially because it only went to our newsletter subscribers. This time around, I was revisiting this question of ‘why,’ I updated this post and want to share it with you all.

When I was in college, I had the privilege of studying with a talented professor who was a Ningen Kokuho. For those unfamiliar with the term, this is an award bestowed by the Japanese government for individuals who are ‘Preservers of Important Intangible Cultural Properties.’ The standard English translation is a “Living National Treasure.”

My professor was adept at multiple disciplines, including Chado, Shodo, Ikebana, and Kabuki (tea ceremony, calligraphy, flower arrangement, and dance). He was indeed someone who infused art and creativity into everything he did.

Advice From An Expert

At the time, I was questioning my commitment to my art and craft and whether I was really cut out for it. At this point, I was three years into my studies and digging deep into the details of the craft.  I had spent thousands of hours on it, refining and practicing my craft, but for what? I started to question why I was doing it, so I sat down with this professor to get his advice and hopefully get an answer.  Here is what he said (it’s been a while, so I’m paraphrasing):

“There are some people who have a burning desire for their craft. They think about it all the time and do it whenever possible. Their reasons will vary; for some, it’s a desire to make a living to gain recognition, and for others, it’s the perfection of their art and the satisfaction they get when making it. It can be for relaxation or even meditation. What is common to all of these people is that the reasons, whatever they may be, drive them to do their craft no matter what. They may have difficulties and even try to give up their craft, but something inside them won’t let it go.

Some people are enamored with the trappings of the craft: the environment, the material, the tools, and the lifestyle. If you find yourself in this group, consider why you are doing this craft. If you can find your reason, whether for relaxation, to make a living, or to achieve mastery, you will have more satisfaction in what you do.”

Finding ‘The Why’

I originally posted this article as a companion to the Hearts and Crafts video. I was first attracted to the video because of the subject matter, which was high-end leatherworking. However, the interviews of craftspeople sharing their desire and satisfaction with their creative work affected me the most. Watching it again, this quote resonated with me:

“…in leather goods, we cut and assemble the pieces, make bags, and put our craftsman’s mark on them. Simply adding the craftsman’s mark is a proud act, knowing your bag will travel the world and be carried around by someone. It becomes theirs but remains ours. It contains our soul and our stitching. It has our mark on it.”

Now that I’m older, I know that my professor couldn’t have answered the question for me. His advice gave me the direction I needed to start answering the question myself. It’s a conversation that I’ve thought about several times in my life. The answer for me has even gone back and forth. The answer is important, but the clarity is sometimes even more critical. I’ve found that I’m happiest when I can answer this for myself and align ‘what I am doing’ to ‘the why’ I am doing it.

Making a living doing creative work can sometimes be a struggle—low pay, long hours, demanding clients, etc. When I was starting out, veteran creatives advised, “If you can be something, else, be that thing. Be a doctor or a lawyer.” In my youth, I found this advice pretty cynical. It basically amounted to ‘give up your dreams.’ As a parent, I look at this advice a little differently. To me, it comes from a desire to help the person avoid struggling through the difficulties they previously faced. If I could choose whether my kids could follow a more traditional, proven path or pursue their dreams but wander through uncertainty, would I choose the latter? I picked the latter for myself, and it was, as is, a struggle at times. But what journey of achieving your goals is not without its challenges? There is an irreplaceable satisfaction of seeing your work out in the world, people appreciating it, and the gratification of creating a well-made thing. It’s worth noting any profession has its challenges and rewards; picking yours is a complex and very individualized choice.

I’ve talked to many of our members and heard many responses, like wanting to sell leather goods, making a handbag or wallet for their loved one, pure enjoyment, or being able to make the bag that they’ve always wanted but can’t find. 

Here is my question for you: What do you dream about doing with leather craft, and why are you doing it?

Please reply and let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts.