It is the Edo period, and the powerful Maeda clan are ruling over Kanazawa. Due to the massive rice production, they have been able to make Kanazawa one of the largest and wealthiest castle towns in Japan. Rather than focussing on expanding their empire in terms of land, the Maeda clan’s aim became to gain cultural dominance. They invited artisans from all over Japan to come to Kanazawa to share their knowledge, techniques, and innovation. Everyone wanted to be part of “The Golden Age.”

The Tokugawa Shogunate influences still meant that there was a hierarchy in society. Samurai lived on large estates and rather than spending time on military pursuits, they focussed on cultural pursuits. Farmers were considered especially important as they grew the rice from which the Maeda clan gained their wealth. Unfortunately, the Tokugawa laws prohibited the farmers from eating rice, they were not allowed any luxury at all. Their homes were simple; they wore cotton clothing and ate millet. Merchants and artisans lived in areas that were close to rivers and main roads. This made it easy for goods and services to be traded. Any outsiders that came into the community were considered spies and were constantly watched. Artisans that brought their master craftsmen skills were considered V.I.P. They were placed in secure residences to keep their techniques secret.

The Hanami Matsuri (flower viewing festival) was taking place at the temple. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom. People came from everywhere to view the delicate cherry blossom flowers. The temple looked like it was covered in a soft pink carpet, and the mild scent of the flower filled the air. A samurai from Kanazawa went to view the flowers and he was taken by the artwork that was on display at the temple. He managed to purchase a scroll with cherry blossoms on. He felt it really captured the festival.

Upon his return to Kanazawa, the samurai had a meeting with the head of the Maeda clan. They spoke about the samurai’s trip to Kyoto. The samurai showed the scroll to everyone who was at the meeting and they were all impressed. It was decided that the artist needed to be found and brought to Kanazawa. The samurai was asked to return to Kyoto and to bring the artist back with him to Kanazawa.

The monks went and approached Genki and informed him of the deal. Since the monks had been so kind to him, he had no other option but to accept. He quickly packed a small bag of belongings and joined the samurai to travel to Kanazawa. Genki had never left the temple, so the sights, sounds, colours, smells sparked his imagination. He thought that the move to Kanazawa would be challenging but rewarding too.

After a night’s sleep, Genki met with the master of the workshop. He explained that Genki would become a Kaga Yuzen apprentice. This was someone who could conduct hand painting silk dyeing. It was an incredibly unique and secretive skill to have. The process of the apprenticeship was explained. The “Silent” years mean that Genki would cook, clean, run errands, Genki would learn by observing and making rice pastes for the artists. He would eventually be moved to tracing, pasting, colouring, and adding detail. After a length of time, he could then be granted a seal and become an independent artist. Genki thought it seemed like an exceptionally long journey.

A large festival was approaching, and the Tokugawa Shogunate had requested a special kimono be made for his wife. He wanted something that was unique and asked the Maeda clan to use one of their secretive techniques to create the garment. The workshop was excited to receive such a request knowing that their work would be on display for all the nobles to see. The master collected his senior artists and asked for designs. The designs were submitted to the Maeda clan. The first collection of drawings, upon seeing them the master had a cool attitude. The workshop was asked to resubmit again. The second collection of drawings, upon seeing them the master was disappointed. The third set of drawings just made the master angry. The master did not know what to do.