How to Become a Shrine & Temple Carpenter｜Association of Shrine & Temple Carpenters Training School

There are three ways to become a Shrine & Temple Carpenter:

1.Shrine & Temple Carpenters Training School

A school to train shrine & temple carpenters incorporates positive aspects of the apprentice system and vocational schools to fit the modern age.
Through a three-year program, we train candidates into skillful shrine & temple carpenters.

Advantages

Acquisition of the artisan lifestyle
Effectively mastering techniques through
practice
Lower cost
Shrine & Temple Carpenters Training Program: 1.95 million yen per 3-year program
(Vocational School:
5.7 million yen per 3-year program)

Disadvantages

Need to live at the school on weekdays 　(Mondays through Fridays)

What is Shrine & Temple Carpenters Training School?

2.Apprentice System

First, candidates apply for apprenticeship with the Master of Shrine & Temple Carpenters in order to become a live-in apprentice at his house.
Apprenticeship training takes 10 years, during which candidates also do chores related to food, clothing and shelter.

Advantages

Opportunity to learn techniques

Disadvantages

No personal time
Need for 10 years of training
No permission to do actual work is given for a long time
Grueling training that leaves only a handful of candidates out of 100 after 10 years

3.Vocational School

Just as with common vocational schools, candidates go through an established, three-year curriculum.

Advantages

Learning along the curriculum

Disadvantages

Expensive (5.7 million yen per 3-year program)
(Training Program: 1.95 million yen per 3-year program)
Candidates are likely to become too theoretical — thus likely to quit soon as they are less likely to have acceptable skills onsite.
A 10-year training is necessary after graduation.