This insightful story is based in Japan (adapted from the book- ICHIGO ICHIE) For many arts and traditions, there is no school where one can learn the skill. The knowledge is transmitted from the master to apprentice. One such case is of people who make Katanas, a form of Japanese sword. With only 300 active swordsmiths left in Japan, the swordsmithing knowledge is imparted via apprenticeship. Forging a good Katana is mighty hard. Why ? Because the best Japanese sword blades contain only 1 to 1.2 percent of carbon. It is extremely hard to attain such levels of carbon. Apparently, it happens only after blade is 3 days straight in fire at a temperature range 2200 and 2800 degrees. There is no ornamental significance about the Katanas but it symbolizes something bigger- strength, perseverance, and simplicity. Chasing these rare virtues provide determination to the swordsmiths to go through the grind and a myriad of repetitive work to produce the sword. If there was a weak purpose, the swordsmiths would have produced the swords lacking any distinctiveness, just like any routine effort would have produced. With a stronger purpose, they put in the best effort to eliminate the unnecessary to get to the essential. In essence, WHEN THE WHY IS CLEAR, THE HOW IS EASY.
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