Most Difficult Places to Interview

Glassdoor announced their survey for Top 25 most difficult companies to interview.  But I could not find Microsoft there.  About 10 years ago, there was the popular book about Microsoft Interview; HOW WOULD YOU MOVE MOUNT FUJI?

The time seems to have changed.  I found interested in finding the company, PROGRESSIVE, rather than GEICO.

Japanese Sword - The Art of Work

Many traditional art of work in Japan have been facing the difficult time to inherit their culture and know-how to the next generation since they cannot easily make their life selling their art in Japan.

I have my passion to support the Japanese art of work and I start funding this organization from the Japanese Sword with "EN".

If you are interested in touching the Japanese culture through the Japanese Sword, feel free to drop by the following event.

The Art of the Japanese Sword

The Special Event by one of the greatest Japanese swordsmith

Yoshindo Yoshihara（吉原義人）

Tanto(short sword) traditionally given to child in a family as an amulet

Date & Time : Aug. 17 (Fri)  & 18 (Sat) 13:00 - 18:00 / Aug. 19 (Sun)  11:00 - 16:00

  Place              :  Japanese Sword Museum at 2F of Rain City Fencing Center

        1776 136th Place NE Bellevue, WA 98005

         　　　          

This event is the great opportunity that you can talk with Mr. Yoshihara about the Japanese swords and culture.  We exhibit some great art of his work and his latest book. 

We plan to found an organization to support the young Japanese traditional craftsman introducing their work of art.  This event is its kick-off with Mr. Yoshihara’s help to show his passion introducing the Japanese art of work in overseas.  We take this opportunity to offer making Japanese swords by “Gassaku” as the special workshop as well.

• Workshop for “gassaku” who makes your own sword together with Yoshindo Yoshihara.  A "gassaku" sword is one which is made cooperatively by more than one person.  The blades will be forged by Yoshindo and his apprentices.  You will co-work with Yoshindo to make "hamon"(刃文) and temper your tango sword with him. This special “gassaku” workshop is opened with reservation only for the limited quantity (max. five swords) at the special promotion price.  For your reservation or any further question, please feel free to contact via e-mail at hiroshi.onaka@enlinxpartners.com.

About Yoshindo Yoshihara（吉原義人）

He is the third-generation swordsmith in his family.  Yoshindo lives and works in Tokyo . Yoshindo has been named an Important Cultural Property of the city and prefecture of Tokyo, and is a mukansa (top-ranked sowrdsmith) in Japan.

He is the only swordsmith which both the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Metropolitan Museum of Art purchased the Japanese swords to exhibit at their museums.  He also dedicated many swords to Ise Shrine in Japan.

Local City in Japan - Fukuoka City

I was in Fukuoka last week for business.  Fukuoka is the heart of Kyushu Island and locates between Shanghai and Tokyo; 1.5 hours flight to both cities and 1 hour to Seoul, Korea.

I found some SME were very aggressive and active.  It is no longer the era of Tokyo and Osaka to lead business in Japan.  There are a lot of potentials in this kind of the local cities in Japan.

Next week, I plan to arrange some business development tour for the city of Fukuoka in WA state in the US.