I Want to Be an Apprentice

Deshi Iri Shigan (弟子入り志願)

In 16th century Florence during the Renaissance, Arte, a daughter of a noble but poor family, is obsessed with drawing. After her father's death, her mother destroys her artwork. Rejecting marriage, Arte decides to become an artisan. She visits local workshops, but is rejected due to being a woman. Humiliated, Arte cuts her hair and threatens to cut off her breasts, but is stopped by Leo, an unsocial local artisan. As a test, Leo challenges her to prepare 20 wood panels for painting by morning. It is revealed this is unreasonably difficult. Arte, unwilling to admit defeat, works through the night, damaging her hands. Leo is surprised to find her passed out the next morning with the boards finished and admits he wanted her to fail. Arte then admits she is determined to forge a life for herself using her own skills. Realizing Arte is exactly like his younger self, Leo makes Arte his official apprentice. Arte moves out of her family home, against her mother's orders, and moves into Leo's workshop, only to realize her room is a dilapidated shed on his roof. Regardless, she decides to do her best as Leo's apprentice.