Just imagine what it took to refine every rod—from the #4 through the #9, as well as the skagit rods—through countless rounds of trial and error.

 As AI develops at an ever-increasing pace, society will accelerate with it. At some point, humans may no longer be able to keep up.

What I learned from bamboo was to live more slowly.

 I’m bored with life, so I’m exploring new things.

 Q. What is a life of creation?

A. It is a life of creating despite profound suffering.

 Q. What do you make of the warnings from today’s leading AI scientists?

A. Things will simply take their course. Not even artificial intelligence can predict the future one second from now.

 Q. Can AI create a society made up entirely of well-intentioned people?

A. No. Malice is an expression of human weakness and immaturity. As long as we remain human, it will probably never disappear.

 Q. People say AI will destroy humanity. What do you think?

A. Throughout history, it has always been humans who kill other humans.

Much like the famous anecdote about Natsume Soseki, Japanese people seem to struggle with saying, “I love you.”

A single phone call. A single email.

Trust is built through the accumulation of sincerity in such small moments.

How foolish and vulgar it is to pursue only one's own gain without a thought for others.

Enjoy a great fishing life, no matter the circumstances—with ingenuity and creativity.

The world is currently experiencing unprecedented inflation, and people everywhere are focused on money.

What is truly needed, however, is peace of mind.

You can wash the dirt off your body in the bathtub, but you cannot wash your soul.

To be completely honest, over the past fifty years, I have experienced despair and hit rock bottom time and again. Yet, I am still alive.

In a sense, I think it is a life that only someone who is truly honest with themselves can lead.

Q. Then why do you do it?

A. Well, it’s fun.

Q. Is a bamboo rod builder happy?

A. It’s a hopeless case.

Q. Is there a reason you keep creating, even so?

A. No. Absolutely none.

Q. Are all creators destined to live in poverty?

A. Yes.