Inherited Skills and a 'Matter of Course' Mindset

The process of creating Higo Zogan—carving fine grooves into blackened, tempered iron and hammering in gold or silver threads—seems impossibly delicate and nerve-wracking. But for Osumi, it was a familiar scene from his childhood.

Growing up watching his father and grandfather work silently in the studio, taking over the family business wasn't a monumental decision for Osumi.

"It was only natural for me to do it. I'm simply carrying on what's been passed down for generations as a 'matter of course'—that's all there is to it," he says.

The studio is always filled with the scent of iron filings and the sharp, percussive sound of the chisel. Apprentices and family members move in and out, each absorbed in their tasks, creating a quiet but powerful rhythm. For Osumi, this is both his daily life and a time that brings a sense of sharp focus and purpose.

Today, while leading the Mitsusuke workshop, he also shoulders the responsibility of overseeing the entire craft region as chairman of the Higo Zogan Promotion Association. His daily life isn't just about creating his own pieces; it also involves nurturing the next generation of artisans and steering the course for the industry's future.