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MAS HINO: A Legendary Luthier's Journey Vol.2

The identity of a luthier/bass and guitar builder living as a Japan-US hybrid.

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Vol.2
MAS HINO
Born in Japan, raised in America.
The identity of a luthier/bass and guitar builder living as a Japan-US hybrid. 

The Japanese lack the "do it yourself" spirit.

Due to his father's career as a musician, Hino moved to New York City at the age of 9, shortly after starting the fourth grade. At that time, he didn't even know the ABCs, but suddenly found himself attending public school.

"You know how they say that if you start speaking English by the age of 10, you'll become a native English speaker? I was right on the edge of that age. While my younger brothers and sisters learned to speak relatively quickly, it took me about four years. It was quite challenging."

Hino first became seriously interested in musical instruments at the age of 16, inspired by Edward Van Halen, a guitarist in a rock band.

"I was interested in playing at first," he said, "but then I got into modifying guitars and basses and started frequenting music stores a lot. At that time, there were many music stores on Manhattan's 48th Street in New York City, and I began to visit them regularly. The turning point came at the age of 18."

"There was a famous music store called Rudy's, and the owner scouted me out. He asked me, 'Would you like to become an apprentice to guitar builder John Suhr?' The Japanese apprentice who had been working there had just quit. 'This is my chance!' I thought, and immediately decided to become an apprentice."

Reference:
"Discovering Our True Calling: Exploring Beyond Japan's Borders"
『日本を飛び出して、世界で見つけた僕らが本当にやりたかったこと』Michinori Mori