The greater question is, how do you prevent the craftsmen from devolving into self-orientalizing? The entire appeal of being a “shokunin” in modern day society to a certain degree comes from framing it as a part of unique Japanese tradition. I think what’s interesting about all of these guys, however, is that they are at heart very savvy and doing something new in Japan — even if they frame it as being a part of a wider tradition.

I wonder if that’s possible – how craftsmanship can compete with mass manufacturing in today’s capitalism. Definitely curious about the stories.

http://www.japansociety.org/robot_cultures

The special affinity of the Japanese towards robotic technologies is related to a history of traditional crafts such as karakuri ningyo (automata), animistic Shinto beliefs and Buddhist teachings concerning the interconnectedness of all animate and inanimate beings (Mori, 1981). Accordingly, robots are not only designed for utilitarian purposes, but to function “the same as flowers—something that speaks directly to the soul” (Tatsuya Matsui quoted in Craft, 2003).

there are many larger philosophical and sociological issues about craftsmanship in Japan that will fit well into our usual analytical framework and will be likely left on the “cutting room floor.”

I really wonder how you plan to pull this off without devolving into orientalist discourse. I recall reading the Ueno essay on Tecno-Orientalism some years back. Take that and general criticisms of R. Benedict – along with your own personal analytic prejudices and I am certain May will be a blast of a month on NeoJ. I expect a combination of Jonathan Swift, de Tocqueville, Bernard Henri Levy and as mentioned above, R. Benedict. Journey well, and do not disappoint.

That Japan Society essay speaks volumes about the kind of stuff I expect you to pull out: tho, of course, no one ever writes essays on the influence of Pinnochio on the Western automotive imaginary or Muppets, Puppets, Henson and Me: The Underlying Libidinal Struggles of My Years at Ford and GM.