Kamia Shoichi (known as "Sho-chan" at the workshop) was groomed to become the foreman at Shimaoka's workshop. He began as a craftsman, but later asked to be "let go" to become an independent artist. This isn't done too often. When a person starts, they are either a craftsman Shokunin or an apprentice Deshi. Kamia's work is one of my favorites of the work of our teacher's students.
Lee Love