Why China lost artisan spirit, Japan didn′t? -Craftsmen, iPod-IT information

"Spirit of the artisan", the ancient early taste of words, are written to the Chinese Government′s work report.

In Chinese history, the craftsman stretches. Skilled Luban, "ease" the Cook looked through, has always been representative of the craftsman. To say close to 2015 CCTV documentary country craftsmen in, and many have top skills of technical workers. Recent popular documentaries of the I in the National Palace Museum artifacts, those precious old lacquer, mosaics, weaving, embroidery, wood, bronze, porcelain, paintings and calligraphy, repair technicians, are artisans of traits – patience, slow, stick to small amounts.

China has a long tradition of handicrafts and artisans did not disappear, but artisan spirit has become China′s most scarce and what they call the most.

(Leaves, iron cylinder, early Meiji Yasunosuke Long Wentang celebrities. Japan iron pot in couplets, "Long Wentang" is regarded as Japan′s first adhered)

Chinese people′s pursuit of artisan spirit, never so much as it is today. Chinese tourists to Japan explosion, eye has moved from rice cookers product line such as toilet seats, turned to the artisan is a knife and a hammer a little glimmer of built artefacts . Kitchen knives, iron is an urgent need in the South (teapot) and even a pair of scissors, a lunch box from Japan back.

Why Japan did not lose the craftsman spirit? Japan folk art historian Liu Zongyue said: "I think the process of the United States, ultimately is the order of the United States. If there is no normal community environment, there would be no beauty of existence. Beautiful rise and fall and rise and fall in the history of the society is synchronous, and rescue is on social assistance to process ... ... Ugly process is ugly reflection of society. ”

I. craftsman spirit is by hand arrives

To understand Japan′s artisan spirit, can these details see below.

(And umbrellas)

1. taken in the NHK documentary in the craftsman′s got talent, 20 the skill of the craftsman, but they make things, such as hourglass, Japanese-style rice pails, carp streamer, South broom, seal, clogs, scissors, baseball gloves, are necessary for everyday life, not a unique artwork.

(Japan and Tang about "five senses" art: the eyes and the beauty and delicacy of the Tang, and Tang Zi aroma, touch of tongue, hands and the texture of the fruit, and fruit, tasting and Tang of delicious, tasting and the sounds of the fruit)

2. Liu Zongyue to the Japan handicraft documented his travels in Japan Shi, in Utsunomiya to see wooden hopper--wood hopper is the process of making wine or soy sauce, is made with wood as the wood will not change the taste of food like a metal, so the formal hotel with a wooden funnel. Is such a cheap wooden funnel prototype requires four years after dry, wooden stable before further processing. Japan TBS television′s "heritage of the future" program, South broom approach was introduced. Craftsman gaocangdesanlang to grow their own broom grass, broom grass harvest each year after threshing, after drying, then from gaocangdesanlang to selected qualified material. His broom as many as more than 60 species, some broom needs to spend three years ′ time.

(Japan national treasure boy Yasutsuna, Heian period residence on the occasion of the luxury country by the famous craftsman Yasutsuna build, the legendary early master of Yorimitsu, is now at the Tokyo National Museum)

3. Japan knife is characterized by the relative backwardness of production conditions, with craftsmen′s skills and experience, to create a quality beyond imagination. In the case where no modern technology, forging Division forged through a selection of jade "steel" (sponge iron) oven components and distribution of carbon, a process that determines the hardness and toughness of the blade, will also create waves, kinks, tree rings in different textures, these textures are referred to as "muscle", a unique decorative effects. In addition, the curvature of the body beautiful is not knocked out, but from the heat treatment process.

(Rings as evenly distributed as a record of the Japan wood)

4. in the movie which which God to go to village, to lumberjacks in the village of God through continuous pruning of branches to get the trunk straight, no scar, and heaven tree of the rings evenly distributed, so God to cut off the village of wood on the market sold the highest price. However, planting a tree is a harvest cannot be viewed within a short time, this generation of lumberjack tree hand-care, often sons over a century later, in order to be cut off, and trees are growing well, to their death in order to see it. But not a lumberjack so lazy, they′re like ancestors did centuries ago, consider this body is not just here, but the future of coming generations.

Production of practical application by hand, in a respectful and sincere attitude towards career and labor, in a correct manner in strict compliance with the technological requirements to achieve exceptional performance, not tire its small, again, patience, and hard. This is the artisan spirit.

II. class-curing environment, staff rely on craftsman spirit life human dignity

Artisan class begins making craftsmen began to sprout, development. In Japan, crafts people are called "vocational".

Japan "career" class was formed in the Edo era. The late warring States period, Japan′s cities inhabited only by Lord where "City" (Castle), Lord lived in the city, Knights and members of the public under the city (town). After the population is concentrated in the city, in order to meet the needs of high society, Japan class of artisans gradually separated from the farmers, and businessmen mixed together, and said, "Ting". Modern Japan′s cities were then "castle town" evolved, and many also retained the town name, such as closet-Cho, barrel House-Cho,-Cho, Carpenter-Cho, and so on.

(The modern professional man painted in volume of blue-dyed artisan)

Edo era, social strata is relatively fixed, and "career" become a craft of a fixed-term, this group has grown, formed its own rules and customs.

In the artisan class, rank is Cutler. This is Japan′s combative customs decision. Especially relying on samurai in Kamakura shogunate maintained after dominant political system, advocate of the sword makes the culture of making swords is very strong. Legend Emperor Toba had recruited master setting up "Imperial forge" system, and is personally involved in creating. Japan history the manufacture a knife, sword, regarded as the most skilled professions, Cutler has even dubbed the title of daimyo. Cutler high status, and large number of Carpenter (work, mainly wooden construction), other weavers, painters, potters, metal, etc.

(Sunflower line ago followed, Edo period before the more famous knife made by Kang after)

Japan germination of the artisan class led to the emergence of artisan spirit. One theory is that, Edo, artisan status was hereditary, segments of the cure so that each sector of the status quo, in doing my job as a way to realize the value of life. In addition, Japan craftsman was not valued, they imply a unit fighting mentality, pinning their hopes on technology shock each other, so their own skills, there is a similar to the overweening pride.

There are many very suitable for handicrafts, manufacturing ethnic Japanese. For example, they have an instinct to complicate simple things. Japanese companies have spread the word, if you spend an hour to finish this thing, then spends two hours to do a better job.

III. a top level one, is the skill and attitude of dual cultivation

Good work is always emotional, moral and even religious. "God of sushi" small Jiro′s understanding of sushi with the philosophy of art of meaning--that is accurate to the second, Nigiri-Sushi life brief as Sakura. The use of the best ingredients, at the best time, with the most precise techniques to do so that guests really enjoy eating, sushi vocational will not live up to people′s heart.

Japan post good physical properties, nature, which is Japan craft products the Foundation of healthy, natural beauty. Japan is rich in a variety of wood, soft paulownia, cedar, pine, cherry, solid beech, chestnut, oak. Unique conditions of Japanese development on wood hobby. Straight wood, wood grain, the quality is very fine, and in other places there will be no classification of wood so hard people. Traditional wooden house was described in the literature for records, the trees should be cut during specific season and recorded its growth, making House as much as possible according to the original arrangement. Such as sunny side the slopes of trees used to make sunny side of the House, using shaded surface on the back of the wood, is followed as far as possible the status quo, which would make the whole House with trees and natural state of harmony.

(Movies of the sushi gods)

Japan vocational education one class has a tradition of respect for penance, and requires dedicated to their career, advancing quickly. Documentary of the sushi gods portrays Japan′s top career skill cultivation way. Before the career become a sushi, apprentices first learn to twist for guest towels, towels are very hot, will initially burn your hand, but not to twist a towel, you can not touch the fish, then you want to learn how to use knives and cooking fish again ten years later, can learn of fried eggs.

Devoted career in creation, also responsible for the quality of life. Sauce with was reflected in the novels of the five towers of the Japan vocational people died of extreme professional responsibility. Five wooden tower on the eve of inauguration ceremony of unprecedented turmoil and Carpenter in charge of Tower Jubee carries six points sinking in a storm to get to the top, once the tower is damaged it is suicide to sacrificing his own life.

(IPod, mirror back, by Japan Institute of Niigata Prefecture, small forest industry company responsible for processing and grinding. The company only 5 employees, in 4 years grinding out more than 1 million units for Apple iPod)

IV. modern industries, Japan post is still shine

Field cultivation of traditional craft exquisite craftsmanship and reverent attitude, in Japan in the modern manufacturing industry has been passing. Materials, chemicals, precision machinery, precision instrument industry. Japan small and medium enterprises showing strong manufacturing capacity, most of the employees of these enterprises are only a few to dozens of people, but their special skills of technical craftsmen and good at precision technology and unique craft that cannot be simulated, doing fine, doing fine, doing a variety of products designed and made deeper.

Such as mold, a national manufacturing level from the level of mould industry in this country will be able to see it. In Japan, Chinese writer Yu Tianren did fall in the East of the Sun? Sermon: "Japan has a ski shoe mold-making company, Asia can really open ski shoe mold is only one. Now China has place in the production of molds for ski boots, but that′s only after the realization of digital modeling dies for the first time, the mold for the first time after passing a lot of testing and tuning can be put into formal production. Almost all the tests and adjustments are manual, now in this manual in the field cannot yet be fake, so Asian real full ski equipment adjustment feature is the family. ”

Manufacturing is the most important concept of precision. Highest precision what is produced? World, without exception, are hand polished. Sliding surface of ultra-precision machine guide called "dead level" and demanded accuracy at 1/10000 mm above, there is no mechanical processing this absolutely flat, can only be processed by hand. Mr Yu Tianren had in the "dead level" absolutely crafts describes in "dead level" process:

"The so-called ′ dead level ′ is not a smooth surface, but throughout the regular pattern of the plane, that pattern is to make the plane traces of craftsman blade .

Absolute plane of manufacturing process is such of: has experience of craft people with shovel knife a knife a knife to put roughing get of plane levelled, in shovel out need of plane of while also in do a control plane, then in control plane Shang coated Shang color, put processing plane in control plane Shang sliding, then processing plane Shang dip Shang color of part and control plane Shang off color of part on respectively is two a plane high out of part, need again shovel off, such of process repeatedly for, To the two planes of color to achieve uniform so far, leaving marks on the plane just as lubricating oil tank, two birds with one stone.

But doing so also not absolutely flat, because if the same arc is formed between the two sides will produce the same effect, it′s just that two surfaces that are exactly the same and cannot be guaranteed to be flat, so I′d need another reference plane. In General, the process is absolutely flat, need to simultaneously process three planes in any two of the three planes, to be made absolute plane.

Now using this processing machinery companies that need the absolute plane mainly in Germany, and Switzerland and Japan, which is that these countries are able to produce high-precision machinery and equipment reasons. ”

(Ono, the founder of the Toyota production system, called by the Japanese "Japan father of the resurrection")

Modern Japanese craftsman spirit not only took out the Canon Nikon, let the world say precision industrial and artisan spirits who leather modern industrial life, representative is the Toyota lean production system. Ford invented assembly line different from the previous, Toyota′s product line in the event of defects, red light immediately signaled that workers need to be disposed of in a timely manner, do not make defective products from entering the market. Hence "breaking bad Toyota" signs.

(Japan bamboo craft, zhugong in today′s Japan are still daily utensils)

V. the spirit of craftsmen in Japan why continue?

Also facing the impact of modern industry, also passing a difficult crisis, but why by the traditional process of spirit in Japan develop?

The reason, artisan spirit inheritance depends on career training, workshops and the existence of social and environmental factors.

Said person. Apprenticeships are the career industry′s pillars of Japan apprenticeship system prevailing in the Edo period. Apprentices generally about 10 years old enter the store experience "Ding Zhi" (little man), "hands" (Captain), "head" (Treasurer), "control" (Manager) phase of the study and investigation before being allowed an independent business or open a shop. Artisans usually Huizi in his father′s footsteps, the son of, do only one thing for generations, father to son, the grandson continues handicrafts manufacturing technology.

670, Japan Government realizes the importance of career protection. In 1950, Japan′s cultural properties Protection Act specifically defines "tangible cultural properties", "folk-cultural properties", "historical places of natural monument" category. One "intangible cultural asset" into drama, music, and technology categories. "Important intangible cultural property holder" to be called "earth treasures". "Earth treasures" to submit and review procedures are not complicated. Japan culture consulting investigates cultural properties will accept a variety of recommendations of the Office, and receive individual reporting, and for screening and evaluation. Cultural Affairs Council for reconsideration, submitted to the Secretary of State for the Ministry of examination, approval, issuance of certificate of. In order to make technology a long time pass, Japan Government and special skills of the candidates, no matter how high social status, if not close disciple, Jack sense cannot be elected. Once a "human treasures", the Government funded 2 million yen per year, those elected to save the recording arts materials, and public exhibitions, publications and advocacy, teaching skills, and improving the conditions of life and the National Taiwan.

(Knife, II generation Shan-ching)

In 1955, the "earth treasures" first announced, 49 years until 2004, only 145 were elected "earth treasures". In 1971, the Shan family, Osaka knife maker II generation Shan-ching was recognized as "national treasures in the world." Mountain family Osaka is Japan knife legend. Meiji period, the Shan family forced to ban knives, generation of Shan-ching (second generation masters of the mountain family, second-generation Mu Shan-ching′s grandfather) became imperial art. Mountain family has ordered the Meiji, Taisho, Emperor Hirohito as well as Gao Jielu, Navy officer Pedro, then lay the authority of family status. Today, technology classes "earth treasures" mostly old, rare works, so the effect of appreciation of their work is quite obvious, rising cost of collections, or even close to the antique market.

Followed by a craft existed for a long time. A workshop was a craftsman and their families depend on the most important property, it will come with a lifetime of effort, as well as from generation to generation. Persistent middle-class has the perseverance, a fixed, for inheritance, the continuation of the spirit of the process is of great significance. Craft′s stability on the one hand to pin their hopes on the whole social environment without big turbulence, and the successor system on the one hand, the staff person′s business philosophy are inseparable. Before World War II, Japan′s House to pass the strict system of primogeniture, only the eldest son could inherit the family business, and distributed to most of the property, which can prevent family members from competing against each other in the property, resulting in family decline. Today, the number of persons engaged in the work of folk art, will still use the customary way, let the eldest son inherited the family business, to ensure that the waste industry. In addition, Japan many century-old focus on "small is beautiful", not like some of the Chinese companies, known wanted to become bigger and stronger, making chain. This reflects both the Japan vocational occupational character forming one since the Edo period--do not value for money, but also with the Japan cultural restraint on--small is beautiful.

Finally, a stable social environment possible for heritage skills and crafts spirit. Method of making generations of technology, such a tradition cannot be achieved overnight. Craftsman important content such as belief in the spirit, discipline, ritual, also in a long time, such as the teacher-student relationship in a relatively stable career circles, gradually developed under the customer interaction . More important, as Liu Zongyue said: "the beauty of technology is society of the United States. If the lack of love and collaboration, the beauty of being hurt. Process must be tightly integrated with society, must be the collective life, such a group would have its own system of right and good order. ”

为啥中国丢了工匠精神，日本却没有？ - 工匠,iPod - IT资讯

“工匠精神”，这个带着古早味的词语，被写入了中国政府工作报告。

中国历史上，工匠延绵不绝。技艺精湛的鲁班，“游刃有余”的庖丁，一直都是工匠的代表。往近了说，2015年央视纪录片《大国工匠》里，也介绍了不少拥有顶尖技艺的一线技术工人。最近的热门纪录片《我在故宫修文物》，那些从事珍贵古漆器、镶嵌、织绣、木器、青铜、瓷器、书画修复的技术人员，也都有手艺人的特质——耐心，缓慢，坚持，少量。

中国有悠久的手工业传统，工匠不曾消失，但工匠精神却成为当今中国社会最稀缺和最呼唤的东西。

（叶纹铁瓶，明治初期龙文堂名人安之介作。在日本的铁壶堂号中，“龙文堂”被誉为日本第一堂号）

中国人对工匠精神的追求，从来没有像今天这么强烈过。中国游客去日本爆买，目光早已从电饭锅马桶盖等流水线产品，转向了手艺人一刀一锤一丝一线打造出的手工业品。有次的厨刀，南部铁器的急须（茶壶），甚至一把剪刀，一个便当盒也要从日本带回来。

为什么日本没有丢失工匠精神？日本民艺学家柳宗悦说：“我认为工艺之美，最终还是秩序之美。如果没有正常的社会环境，也就不会有工艺之美的存在。美的兴衰与社会之兴衰在历史上是同步的，对工艺的救助就是对社会的救助……丑陋的工艺是丑陋社会的反映。”

一.工匠精神就是用手到达极致

要了解日本的工匠精神，可以从下面这些细节看起。

（和伞）

1.在NHK拍摄的纪录片《工匠达人》中，二十位工匠各怀绝技，但他们制作的器物，诸如沙漏、日式饭桶、鲤鱼旗、南部扫帚、印章、木屐、剪刀、棒球手套等，都是生活中所必须的日常用品，不是特殊的美术品。

（日本和菓子讲究“五感”艺术：以眼睛欣赏和菓子的美感及美味，和菓子的香气，舌头的触感、手拿和果子、切和果子时的手感,品尝和菓子的美味，品尝和果子时所发出的声音）

2.柳宗悦在《日本手工艺》中记载了他游历日本时，在宇都宫看到的木漏斗制作过程——木漏斗是装酒或酱油用的，用木材制作是因为木材不会像金属那样改变食物的味道，因此，正规的酒店都用木漏斗。就是这样一个廉价的木漏斗，在制出原型后需要用四年时间晾干，待木质稳定后才能做进一步加工。日本TBS电视台的“未来遗产”节目，曾介绍过南部扫帚的做法。匠人高仓德三郎自己种植扫帚草，每年收获的扫帚草在经过脱粒、干燥后，再由高仓德三郎从中甄选出合格的材料。他制作的扫帚多达60余种，其中部分高级扫帚需要花去三年的时间。

（日本国宝童子切安纲，由平安时代居住在伯奢国的著名工匠安纲打造，传说初代主人为源赖光，现藏于东京国立博物馆）

3.日本刀的特点就是在相对落后的生产技术条件下，凭借工匠的技艺和经验，打造出品质超乎想象的产品。在没有现代炼钢技术的情况下，锻造师锻打经过精选的“玉钢”（海绵铁）坯子调整碳的分量和分布，这个过程既决定了刀的硬度和韧性，也会形成波浪、扭结、树轮等不同的纹理，这些纹理被称为“地肌”，有独一无二的装饰效果。此外，刀身美妙的弯曲弧度并不是敲打出来的，而是来自热处理过程。

（年轮像唱片一样均匀分布的日本木材）

4.电影《哪啊哪啊神去村》中，神去村的伐木工通过不断修剪旁枝，才得到树干笔直，没有疤结，年轮均匀分布的苍天大树，所以神去村砍下的每颗木材在交易市场都能卖出最高的价钱。然而种树是一件短时间内无法看到收获的事情，这一代伐木工亲手呵护的树木，往往要在百年后才能被子孙砍下，树长得好不好，到他们死后才能看出来。但没有一个伐木工因此懈怠，他们就像百年前的先辈一样，考虑的不只是此时此地此身，而是子孙后代的未来。

以手工方式生产实用器物，以恭敬诚恳的心态对待职业和劳动，以端正的态度严格遵守各项工艺要求，实现器物的超凡性能，不厌其小、不厌其烦、不厌其精、不辞劳苦。这就是工匠精神。

二.阶层固化的环境下，职人靠工匠精神获得人生尊严

手艺人阶层的出现使得工匠精神开始萌芽、发展。在日本，手艺人被称为“职人”。

日本“职人”阶层形成于江户时代。战国末期，日本的城市只有领主居住的地方才有“城”（城堡），领主住城内，武士和市民住城下（町）。人口集中于都市之后，为满足上流社会的需要，日本的手艺人阶层逐渐从农民中分化出来，与商人混居在一起，并称“町人”。现代日本的许多都市都是由那时的“城下町”发展而来的，不少还保留了町名，如衣橱町、桶屋町、丝屋町、木工町等等。

（《近世职人尽绘卷》中的蓝染匠人）

江户时代，社会阶层相对固定下来了，“职人”成为手工艺者的一个固定称谓，这个阶层逐渐发展壮大，形成了自己的规则和风俗习惯。

在手艺人阶层中，地位最高的是刀匠。这是由日本的尚武风俗决定的。尤其在镰仓幕府依赖武士维持统治的政治体制确立以后，对刀剑的崇尚使得造刀剑的风气极为强烈。传说后鸟羽天皇曾招募名匠设立“御番锻”制度，并亲自参与打造。日本历史上都把制造刀、剑看做是工艺中最有技术含量的职业，刀匠甚至有被封为大名称号的。刀匠以下地位较高，同时数量也众多的是木匠（大工，主要做木建筑），其他还有织工、漆工、陶工、金工等。

（葵纹越前康继，江户时代著名刀工越前康继所作）

日本手艺人阶层的出现促成了工匠精神的萌发。一种说法是，江户时代，手艺人身份都是世袭的，阶层的固化使每个阶层的人安于现状，以把自己分内的事情做好作为实现人生价值的方式。此外，日本手艺人在当时并不受重视，他们暗含一股较劲心理，寄希望于以技艺震撼对方，因此他们对自己的手艺，有一种近似于自负的自尊心。

日本人有很多非常适合手工业、制造业的民族性。比如他们有一种把简单的事情复杂化极致化的本能。日企中至今还流传着一句话，如果花一个小时能够做完这件事，那么花两个小时做得更好吧。

三.一个顶尖职人背后，是技艺和态度的双重修炼

好作品的背后总是有感情、道德甚至宗教的存在。“寿司之神”小野二郎对寿司的理解充满了哲学的意味——那是精确到秒的艺术，握寿司的生命有如樱花般短暂。要用最好的食材，在最佳的时间内，用最精准的技巧，做出来了，让客人最享受地吃掉，才不辜负寿司职人的心意。

日本职人善体物性，顺应自然，这也是日本工艺产品健康、自然之美的根基。日本各地盛产种类丰富的木材，有柔软的桐、杉、松、樱，也有坚硬的榉、栗、橡。得天独厚的条件使日本人发展了对木材的嗜好。直木纹、木板纹，品质被分得很细，在其他地方不会有对木材之分类如此用心的国民。据描述传统木屋匠作的文献中记载，树木应当在特定时节砍伐，并且把它的生长状态记录下来，制作房子的时候尽量按照原来的状况布置。比如山坡阳面的树木用来制作房子的阳面，背面使用背阴面的木材，具体的朝向也尽量遵从原状，这样会使整个房子的状况与树木天然的状态达到和谐。

(电影《寿司之神》)

日本职人阶层都有着崇尚苦修的传统，要求全身心投入自己的职业，日求精进。纪录片《寿司之神》描绘了日本顶尖职人的技艺修炼之路。在成为一名寿司职人之前，学徒首先要学会为客人拧毛巾，毛巾很烫，一开始会烫伤手，但没学会拧毛巾，就不能碰鱼；然后，要学会用刀和料理鱼；再十年之后，才可以学习煎蛋。

职人在造物中的全身心投入，还包括用生命为品质负责。幸田露伴的小说《五重塔》中反映了日本职人以身殉职的极端职业责任心。五重木塔在落成仪式的前夕遇到前所未有的大风暴，负责造塔的木匠十兵卫在暴风雨中怀揣六分凿登上塔顶，打算一旦塔被损坏就自杀以身殉塔。

（iPod镜面背板，由日本新潟县的小林研业公司负责加工研磨。这家公司只有5名员工，在4年时间里为苹果打磨出了100多万台iPod）

四.现代化大工业中，日本职人依然大放光彩

传统工艺领域培育器物的精湛手艺和虔诚态度，在日本现代化的制造业中得到了传承。在材料、化工、精密机械、精密测量仪表仪器等行业。日本中小企业显出强大的制造能力，这些企业的员工大多只有几人到几十人，但却各自拥有身怀绝技的技术工匠，善于以无法模拟的精密技术与独特手工技术，把各类产品做精、做细、做专和做深。

比如模具，一个国家制造业水平的高低从这个国家模具产业的水平就能够看得出来。旅日华人作家俞天任先生在《东边的太阳要落了吗？》讲道：“日本有一家造滑雪鞋模具的公司，全亚洲真正能够开滑雪鞋模具的就只有这一家。现在中国也有地方在生产滑雪鞋模具，但那还只是在实现了数字化建模之后做第一次模具，第一次模具出来了以后还要经过大量的测试和调整才能投入正式生产。而这些测试和调整几乎全是手工作业，中国现在在这种手工作业的领域里还无法山寨，所以说，亚洲真正具备全副滑雪装备调整功能的就只有这一家。”

制造业最重要的概念是精度。精度最高的东西是用什么生产出来的？全世界无一例外，是人手工打磨出来的。比如超精密机械导轨的滑动面被称为“绝对平面”，要求精度在1/10000毫米以上，没有任何机械能够加工这种绝对平面，只能用手工的方式加工。俞天任先生曾在《“绝对平面”绝对手工活》里描述了“绝对平面”的加工过程：

“所谓‘绝对平面’不是一个光滑的镜面，而是遍布了有规律的花纹的平面，那些花纹就是做出这个平面的手艺人的铲刀留下的痕迹。

绝对平面的制造过程是这样的：有经验的手艺人用铲刀一刀一刀地把粗加工得到的平面铲平，在铲出需要的平面的同时还在做一个对照平面，然后在对照平面上涂上颜色，把加工平面在对照平面上滑动，这时加工平面上沾上颜色的部分和对照平面上掉颜色的部分就分别是两个平面上高出来的部分，需要再铲掉，这样的过程反复进行，一直到两个平面靠上去的颜色完全达到均一为止，这时候平面上留下来的刀痕正好作为润滑油槽，一举两得。

但这样做出来的还不是绝对平面，因为如果两个面之间形成了同样的弧度也会产生同样效果，这只是说两个面完全一样，并不能保证是平面，所以还需要另外一个参照平面。一般来说，加工绝对平面时，需要同时加工三个平面，在这三个平面中的任意两个都一致的时候，才算做出来了绝对平面。

现在采用这种工艺加工机械所需要的绝对平面的公司主要是在德国、瑞士和日本，这就是这几个国家能够生产高精度机械设备的原因。”

（丰田生产方式的创始人大野耐一，被日本人称为“日本复活之父”）

现代日本人靠工匠精神不仅拿出了佳能尼康等让全世界无话可说的精密工业品，而且他们的工匠精神还曾经革过现代工业的命，代表就是丰田公司的精益生产方式。与之前福特发明的流水线不同，丰田的生产线一旦出现瑕疵，立马亮红灯示意，工人需要及时处理掉，不让有瑕疵的产品进入市场。由此才有了“开不烂的丰田”的招牌。

（日本竹编工艺，竹工在今日的日本仍为日常用具）

五.工匠精神在日本为什么能延续？

同样面临现代工业的冲击，同样传承艰难的危机，但为什么由传统时代而来的工艺精神能够在日本发扬？

究其原因，工匠精神的传承离不开职人的培养、手工作坊的存续和社会大环境等因素。

先说职人。学徒制度是维系职人行业的重要支柱，日本的学徒制度盛行于江户时代。学徒一般10岁左右进入店铺，经历“丁稚”（小伙计）、“手代”（领班者）、“番头”（掌柜）、“支配人”（经理）等阶段的学习与考察后才被允许独立经商或开店。手艺人的儿子通常也会子承父业，数代人只做一件事，父传子、子传孙的方式延续着手工业制造技术。

六七十年代，日本政府意识到保护职人之重要性。1950年，日本的《文化财产保护法》明确界定“有形文化财”、“民俗文化财”、“史迹名胜天然纪念物”等类别。其中“无形文化财”分成演剧、音乐和工艺技术三类。“重要无形文化财产保持者”被大众称为“人间国宝”。“人间国宝”的申报程序和评议程序并不复杂。日本文化厅咨询文化财专门调查会接受各种推荐，同时受理个人申报，并进行筛选和初评。文化厅文化审议会复议，提交文部科学大臣审定、批准，再颁发认定书。为了使技艺长久传承，日本政府规定，身怀绝技的候选人，不管社会地位多么高，如果不收弟子，艺不外传，也不能当选。一旦认定“人间国宝”，政府每年资助200万日元，用于当选者录制保存艺术资料以及公开的展览、出版与宣传、传习技艺，改善生活和从艺条件。

（短刀，二代目月山贞一制）

1955年，“人间国宝”第一批名单公布，直至2004年的49年间，仅有145人当选“人间国宝”。1971年，大阪月山家族刀匠二代目月山贞一被认定为“人间国宝”。大阪月山家族是日本刀界的传奇。明治维新时期，月山家族迫于禁刀令，一代目月山贞一（月山家族的第二代当家，二代目月山贞一的祖父）成为帝室技艺员。此后月山家族先后奉命为明治、大正、裕仁天皇以及高阶陆、海军将官佩刀，进而奠定权威世家地位。如今，工艺技术类“人间国宝”大多年事已高，作品稀少，因此他们作品的升值效应比较明显，收藏价格不断上涨，甚至接近古董行情。

其次是手工作坊的长久存在。一个作坊，就是一个工匠及其家庭赖以为生最重要的财产，因此他会付出一生的心血，乃至代代相传。有恒产者有恒心，一间固定的产业，对于工艺的传承、精神的延续有着重要的意义。而手工作坊的稳定一方面要寄希望于整个社会大环境不发生大动荡，一方面和继承人制度、职人的经营理念分不开。二战之前，日本的家业传承严格实行长子继承制度，即只有长子能够继承家业，并分配到大部分的财产，这能防止家族成员因争产而反目成仇，导致家族衰落。如今，一些从事民间艺术工作的人士，仍然会采用遗嘱的方式，让长子继承家业，以保证不废业。此外，日本许多百年老店专注“小而美”，不像一些中国企业，有点名气就想做大做强，大搞加盟连锁。这既反映了日本职人自江户时代就形成的职业性格——不看重钱财，也与日本文化的内敛性有关——小就是美的。

最后，一个稳定的社会环境才能为传承技艺和工匠精神提供可能。制作方法是代代相传的技术，这样的传统并非一朝一夕可以生产。工匠精神中的重要内容如信仰、纪律、仪式等也是在长时间的师承关系中，在相对稳定的职业圈子、顾客群体的互相作用下逐渐发展起来的。更重要如柳宗悦所说：“工艺之美是社会之美。若是缺少相爱与协作，工艺之美就会被伤害。工艺必须与社会紧密结合，必须是集体的生活，这样的集体就要有自己的正确制度和良好秩序。”