(30) | A mind of master craftsman |
In the middle of the October, 1948, I visited Mr. Miyamoto to have him
change the brigde of my violin and othe gadgets. On that occasion, he told
me really surprising matter. Had it been only for repairing my violin from
Russia, I would not describe violin episode. I should like to write violin
episode in connection with violin repairing from Russia, because he told
me a startling matter.
He, as a maker of violin, has has been meeting with men; violinists and
its lovers every day for the last fifty or more years, but there was no
person who understand violin instrument and its tone like Mr. Sekiguchi.
For the last 20years, person who really understand violin tone is getting
scarce and afer the world war U, many of them do not know real violin
and its tone colour and they simply play over 4 strings with score, but,
as a maker of violin, if there is no violinist who actually understand
real tone and its colour, I have no insentive to meke violin and I feel
no longer making it. I believe Mr. Sekiguchi is the person who completely
understand violin and its colour and you may be the last person who appreciate
violin and its colour at my judgement.
It may be too much to say to you, but listen! I have repaired this violin
at your request moved by your fervent wish twenty yeras ago, but I believe
it is a trial for you to play this violin. You can not satisfy yourself
with this instrument, but it is a burden to you to play with this violin.
I, as a maker of a violin, can not bear to give you torment knowing that
you thoroughly understand and appreciate fine tone of violin, you can not
satisfy with this instrument, not that only I can not bear of your playing
with this violin, for I believe is a crime to have you toll. I want to
have you my own make violin. What do you think of it?
He told me I never dreamed of. I replied that you have repaired my worthless
violin 21 years ago, you have taken a great pain in reconstructing it with
your undescribable effort and thought. I should play this violin rest of
my life to repay your kindness. But today he offered me to play his own
make violiv implying that I play his violin instead of the repaired one.
Altho I had in mind to play the repaired one rest of my life, but time
had come to change my mind, I willingly accepted his considerate offer
and said. I it is grateful for me to play your cherished violin and I believe
my parents will please more than anything else. He said he had not seen
such deep sympathetic persons like your parents. I believe my own make
violin will give satisfaction to you and your family. This year product
No. 150 will be finished I will start to make one January 8th which will
be No. 151.
The materials I use are from materials which I saved 48 yars ago. Materials
I saved up while young man had been used up to my age of 70, good materials
are getting scarce, but I will use excellent materials among them for No.
151. I have been desiring to make one with Japanese materials as I am a
Japanese. Japanese materials may not be excellent in comparison with those
of foreign countries and in addition it will take quite a long time to
produce tone with new one. No. 151 is not made to your order at your request,
but is made by me, as a maker of violin. I will excert my effort and make
special one for you. As I have mentioned above, unexpected matter happened
to me.
(--- several lines skipped)
I have visited foremost Japanese physiogonomist by the name of S at my
age of 32. This physiogonomist told me various affairs and I asked him
the destiny of of me up to th age of 77, among them he told me the following:
"You will have very happy tidings at the age of 41."
I asked him what kinds of glad news will it be, money? things or honour?
He said "You will have a valuable article."
・・・(--- several lines skipped)
It was in December I was given a valuable violin at my age of 41.
・・・(--- several lines skipped)
We in 20th century refused to accept the fact ・・・
・・・(--- several lines skipped)
Time will come that they were ignorant, prefudicated and dogmatic in their opinions perhaps in 21 century.
(--- to be continued)
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