Artisan
An artisan (from
History
The adjective "artisanal" is often used in describing hand-processing in contrast to an industrial process, such as in the phrase
Artisans were the dominant producers of
In ancient Greece, artisans were drawn to agoras and often built workshops nearby.[1]
Medieval artisans
During the Middle Ages, the term "artisan" was applied to those who made things or provided services. It did not apply to unskilled manual labourers. Artisans were divided into two distinct groups: those who operated their own businesses and those who did not. The former were called masters, while the latter were the journeymen and apprentices.
One misunderstanding many people have about this social group is that they picture them as "workers" in the modern sense: employed by someone. The most influential group among the artisans were the masters, the business owners. The owners enjoyed a higher social status in their communities,[2] and often organised into guilds.
Shokunin
Shokunin is a Japanese word for "artisan" or "craftsman", which also implies a pride in one's own work. In the words of shokunin Tashio Odate:
Shokunin means not only having technical skill, but also implies an attitude and social consciousness... a social obligation to work his best for the general welfare of the people, [an] obligation both material and spiritual.[3]
Traditionally, shokunin honoured their tools of trade at New Year's – the sharpened and taken-care of tools would be placed in a tokonoma (a container or box still found in Japanese houses and shops), and two rice cakes and a tangerine (on top of rice paper) were placed on top of each toolbox, to honour the tools and express gratitude for performing their task.[3]
Gallery
-
Armorer, 1425
-
Blacksmith, 1606
-
Bladesmith, 1564
-
Cooper, 1608
-
Dyer, 1433
-
Furrier, 1543
-
Glassblowing, 1500s
-
Gunsmith, 1613
-
Hatter, 1533
-
Joiner, 1425
-
Locksmith, 1600
-
Nailsmith, 1529
-
Potter, 1605
-
Ropemaker, 1616
-
Saddler, 1470
-
Shoemaker, 1535
-
Stonemason, 1550
-
Tailor, 1425
-
Tanner, 1473
-
Weaver, 1524
-
Wheelwright, 1545
See also
- Applied arts
- Artist
- Arts and Crafts movement
- Caste – Tarkhan
- Guild
- Handicraft
- Job security
- Tradesperson
References
- ISBN 0778720357. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ History of Western Civilization, Boise State University "Document No.23". Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
- ^ ISBN 1561583618.
External links
- History of Artisans
- The dictionary definition of artisan at Wiktionary