Channeling Your Shokunin Spirit As A DJ

Brolic Army student DJ Crobar introduced me to a new word this week: Shokunin.

Shokunin is a Japanese word that translates to “craftsman” or “artisan” in English. Shokunins are passionate about their craft and approach it with a deep sense of respect, morality, and discipline. They repeat the same processes with pride and focus, continually striving to improve while recognizing that perfection will never be achieved.

“Always try to improve on yourself. Always strive to elevate your craft.” Yoshikazu Ono

The last 20 years of DJ culture have seen a dramatic surge in the use of DJ apps, CDJs, and Controllers. These new technologies have become the driving force for “creativity.” But is a DJ genuinely creative when they depend on features like SYNC to disguise their inability to mix by ear? This Western approach to DJ art is the opposite of the spirit of the actual artisan. “Likes,” “Views,” “going viral,” and earning more and more money are the core motives behind the modern DJ.

I was recently interviewed on the Apt. 5H podcast show with DJ Self and Bianca, and unsurprisingly, a key topic of our discussion was the influence of technology on DJing. In short, while AI can support us practically in many ways, we must combine technology with human creativity to create true DJ magic. A DJ who relies on AI to cover up their inability to perform the basics, such as mixing by ear, is ultimately devaluing the essence of DJing. The screenshot below is a microcosm of this ongoing and sometimes polarizing debate.

In 2025, I hope DJ culture embraces more of the Shokunin spirit. Relying on shortcuts to achieve “creative” success, such as using the sync button to mix tracks or, worse, pre-recording a set you should be performing live, serves as a roadblock to true creativity. Please note that the intent behind this blog is not to disparage anyone. I want this short reflection on my thoughts on Shokunin to see the work involved with DJing in a more serious light and to admire the creativity shared at an optimal level. An industry that centers itself around half-assing needs this old Japanese philosophy.