This is the culmination of years of hard work for a man who has seen it all from the Second World War to rebuilding Horyu-ji temple in Nara. He wants to construct a wooden building that will stand strong for centuries, but first he must ensure that wood has been properly chosen. Nevertheless, as Japanese forests decrease in numbers, there must be other alternatives; henceforth, Nishioka resolves to Taipei to find suitable timber.
However, constructing a modern structure using traditional methods becomes an arduous assignment. Buildings should withstand earthquakes so Nishioka battles with himself between tradition and stable steel and concrete materials.
Yet his old fashioned ways were at odds with modernity as concrete or steel require less depth. Instead of ordering supplies on line, he had to go where they came from and investigate every source meticulously before replicating it on his project. One can’t just bring timber like other imports; you have got to go out into the wild.
In addition to this obsolete technology and equipment are also needed to replicate everything as it was requiring much study for Nishioka and young team too.
This author’s passing shortly after the project, however, means that much of this documentary is archive footage with interviews of those who were there at the time. This time lag, though, leaves no chance for further probe into his philosophy as it only allows to take the original footage by its face value. Luckily, he was an articulate man with enough good quotes and teachings that one might fill a book.
Thus, as a result, viewer gets lots of useful insights and something substantial to ponder about. As a result, one can easily loose in own thoughts; there are not interesting stories which can keep the attention. That is more like pieces or fragments than a whole; still they’re good but you feel lack of something else. It seems very much like NHK TV documentary in several ways.
It seems that Nishioka’s life demands more than just a relatively short documentary. Thus his teachings give you far from complete picture about him. However as the last master craftsman miyadaiku it enables old fashioned techniques and wisdom to be passed on to new generations once again..
New techniques and strategies are constantly evolving. However, the structures will not last for 1,000 years as Nishioka suggests. Therefore, his legacy will inspire someone in future to fight for earlier methods whenever there would be need for a next reconstruction.
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