Bob Steele
Date of birth: August 29, 1998
Birthplace: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
The reason I wanted to become a Bingata craftsman was because I encountered the Eisa Festival. Influenced by my father, I learned Okinawan karate from the age of 7. When I came to Japan to participate in a tournament, I remember being excited by the different culture I was experiencing for the first time.
After that, I graduated from college and worked for a financial company in San Francisco. It was a highly competitive industry, so at the time I was also aiming to become a top manager and was immersed in chasing numbers. I studied to improve my skills and win contracts from customers. I thought I was living a fulfilling life, but I never really enjoyed it and I always felt a sense of dissatisfaction.
So I quit the company I had been working for for four years and went on a backpacking trip around the world. I visited many countries, including South America, Europe, and Asia, and my last stop was Okinawa.
I then went to say hello to the Asato Karate Dojo, where I had been trained as a child, and joined a practice. Eventually, I became acquainted with the Okinawa Traditional Karate Promotion Association and began supporting dojo practice experiences for overseas travelers.
That summer, I went to an Eisa festival for the first time with some friends from the dojo. I was completely captivated by the soul-resonating music and singing, as well as the beauty of the festival costumes. I discovered that the costumes used bingata, and as I learned more about bingata, I decided that I wanted to become a bingata craftsman.
The master of the Asato Karate dojo went to great lengths to help me become an apprentice at Bingata Studio Higa Eisho. I’m grateful for all that help.
Seven months have passed since I became an apprentice. I am currently renting a room in the president’s house. In the mornings I practice coloring Bingata, and in the afternoons I serve customers at the store. Thanks to them, I feel like my Japanese has improved.
My master, the proprietress, and my senior apprentices all guide me with strictness but kindness. I am working hard to become a full-fledged Bingata craftsman and open a store in my hometown of Albuquerque.
Please come visit the store someday.