[Metalworker: Ren Nakane Interview Part 2] Honest Manufacturing

- What does "manufacturing" mean to you, Nakane-san?

It's difficult to explain the meaning again (laughs).

It's something that will always be there, so one answer might be "everyday life."

It has been close to me since I was born and I have never left it.

At times I think to myself, "I am so blessed."

You can find what you love and be in an environment where you can continue doing it.

This is a blessing, isn't it?

I think I'll probably keep creating something for the rest of my life.

- What values do you want to share through your work?

I believe that things change over time, but recently I've been drawn to things that have a purpose.

Rather than expressing something inside of me, I want to create things that can be used in someone's daily life.

I want to approach manufacturing as honestly as possible, while keeping in mind the perspective of the user.

We aim to be a presence that gently accompanies you in your daily life.

*Mr. Nakane checks the blueprints

- What does it mean to "face manufacturing head-on"?

Recently, it seems like the focus is often on the background of who made something and how, as well as promotional visuals, while the "thing" itself is often left behind.

I myself have a desire to know the stories that reside in objects.

However, I think the most important thing is whether the finished product is good or not.

Just because something is handmade doesn't mean it's necessarily good.

Even mass-produced products are made with careful consideration of the design, materials, and various other elements.

The technology required for mass production is also the result of the efforts of our predecessors.

I believe that when you look at good things, you can see the sincerity and passion of the maker who has naturally come face to face with the item.

This is what I mean by facing manufacturing head on.

--That's a wonderful idea. What do you think "essential goodness" is?

Someone once said, "For something to have a purpose and last a long time, four things are important: material, structure, function, and design," and that really struck a chord with me.

I was reminded that the essential quality of a product lies in its excellence in all four of these elements.

If any one of them is missing, it won't last long.

He also said that "passion" is important.

When the passion of not only the maker but also the user is added, the item will be treasured and remain in the world for a long time.

This may seem like a very obvious thing, but when you keep creating, it's easy to lose sight of this perspective (laughs).

I became conscious of technical aspects such as the techniques used to make things, such as handcrafting or metalworking.

I learned that the method of making something is a means to create something good, and should not be the subject.

*Metal cutting work

- What joys and difficulties do you find in the process of creating your work?

After all, it's about leaving tangible traces of your own handiwork behind.

And I'm happy when someone sees it and sympathizes with it.

On the other hand, there is no correct answer to beauty and there is no end to the pursuit of technology, so there are times when I feel frustrated by my own shortcomings.

Also, since manufacturing is my livelihood, I feel that I cannot be irresponsible towards my customers.

Above all, it's always difficult to put a price on it.

- Is there anything you would like to try in the future?

There are so many things I want to make and materials I want to work with.

I would also like to try creating large-scale works, and recently I have been planning to develop the forest in my hometown.

We hope to start by transforming the dark cedar forest into a bright forest, and then create a space for our own living and creations.

I hope that in creating this place and environment, I will be able to face the idea of "making things for myself."

- Finally, how do you see the future of the field of "crafts"?

Nowadays, the boundaries between craft, art, and products (mass-produced goods) are becoming very blurred.

Of course, I don't think there's any need to forcefully draw a line.

Sometimes you may lose track of where you are.

However, recently I've come to think that it's okay to do things half-heartedly.

When I create something, I think there are craft perspectives as well as artistic and product perspectives, and I think the important thing is to deepen my understanding of each.

I hope to continue enjoying life through making things.

At the end of the interview, Nakane said with a laugh, "I wonder what would happen if we could no longer make it."

It really made me realize that making things is an everyday part of Nakane's life.

It was a moment when I became convinced that the works that Nakane creates are a record of the time he has spent facing and talking with metal.