TITLE:
Study on the Professional Identity of Japanese Traditional Craftspeople: Through Interviews with Maki-e Craftspeople
AUTHORS:
Chieko Narita, Yutaro Shimode, Kazushi Yamada, Noriyuki Kida
KEYWORDS:
Component, Professional Identity, Traditional Craftspeople, Maki-e
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Anthropology,
Vol.5 No.4,
November
11,
2015
ABSTRACT: This study focused on the formation process of the professional identity of Maki-e craftspeople, which is one of the Japanese traditional crafts. This study aimed to clarify the professional identity of Maki-e craftspeople by comparing skilled craftspeople and young craftspeople. The participants were four Maki-e craftspeople held in different positions, and semi-structured interviews about the professional identity were conducted. As a result, the three unchangeable aspects of the professional identity of Maki-e craftspeople were shown through this research. Furthermore, the two professional identities of Maki-e craftspeople over the course of the social changes were shown. The knowledge gained from this study is important to achieve greater understanding of career formation in highly specialized occupation.