150 people nationwide selected for “Modern Masters” November 8th 15:06
From traditional crafts to cutting-edge industrial technologies, 150 people from all over the country were selected as “modern masters” with exceptional skills in manufacturing.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare commends craftsmen and engineers every year as a “modern master craftsman” to have the young people pass on the knowledge of superior manufacturing skills, and 150 people have been selected nationwide this year. It was.
Among them, Yukio Kondo (88), a cast-in-worker in Tokyo, is a craftsman who works on casting of precious metal products such as traditional crafts, “Tokyo Antimony Crafts”, and has a high technical skill of the traditional technique called “return blowing”. Was rated.
With this technique, it is said that it is difficult to keep the thickness of the alloy poured into the mold constant, but Mr. Kondo is able to determine the temperature with a hand sense and adjust it to a uniform thickness. .
The antimony industry was established as a local industry in Tokyo in the early Meiji era and has a history of over 140 years.
Kondo has been working on casting with traditional techniques for over 70 years, influenced by his father, who was the same craftsman, and not only supports local industries but also focuses on technological development.
Mr. Kondo said, “I've been enjoying what kind of products we can make this time. Usually, it is an industry that doesn't hit the sun, but this has led to the development of business together with people in the same industry. I'm glad I'm happy. "
The award ceremony for “Contemporary Master Crafts” will be held in Tokyo on the 11th of this month.