A new documentary explores the exceptional dedication required to become a Takumi – highly skilled craftsmen and women who also play a key role in delivering the quality present in every Lexus vehicle.
The film, available on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Instant, Google Play and iTunes from March 19, also poses the question of whether these Japanese artisans can survive in a world increasingly powered by Artificial Intelligence.
Created by The&Partnership London and narrated by Neil MacGregor, former Director of the British Museum, ‘Takumi – A 60,000-hour story on the survival of human craft’ follows four people dedicating their lives to their crafts – a double Michelin-starred chef, a traditional paper cutting artist, a carpenter working for one of the world’s oldest construction firms and Katsuaki Suganuma (pictured), who has worked at Lexus for 32 years and is a takumi in charge of the final inspection.
“The concept of takumi has been physically and philosophically at the core of the Lexus brand since it was launched 30 years ago,” said Spiros Fotinos, Head of Global Brand at Lexus International.
“Our takumi masters have more than 60,000 hours (30-plus working years) of experience developing their craft. To celebrate the brand’s anniversary year, we want to capture the essence of the takumi – and their 60,000-hour journey – on film.”
By 2050, it is estimated that machines will be capable of surpassing human performance in virtually every field. Martin Ford, author of Rise of The Robots: Technology and The Threat of a Jobless Future, said: “We’re in the midst of exponential progress. In the next 10 years we’re going to see 10,000 years of progress.”
Nahoko Kojima, the paper cutting artist featured in the film added: “The essence of takumi is to gain a sublime understanding of the nuances of a particular art.
“To be focused and spend countless hours on one thing, and to carry on requires one to empty the mind and focus in a way that simply isn’t possible when still acquiring a skill.”
