職人
shokunin[ɕo̞kɯ̟ɲ̟ĩɴ]
The English word "artisan" is translated to Japanese as 職人 (shokunin).
The term 職人 describes someone who has mastered a traditional craft or trade through long years of practice. Depending on the specific craft, different terms may be more common: for example, 陶芸家 is used for a pottery artisan, while 浮世絵師 or 浮世絵描き are used to refer to ukiyo-e artisans.
Meaning: skilled manual worker (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 職人 is the standard term, 匠 can also be used to express the concept of an artisan.
How do you pronounce it?
shokunin
When do people say it?
In Japanese culture, the concept of 職人 implies a high level of dedication to one's craft and a pursuit of perfection that transcends mere employment.
Did you know?
- In certain traditional trades, a true 職人 might spend years performing only one small part of a larger process to achieve absolute mastery of that single movement.
- The character 匠 (takumi), which can mean 'artisan', is used in modern Japanese to describe a person who is a master of any technical skill, including high-tech manufacturing or computer programming.
- The concept of the 職人 is linked to the idea of 'shugyō', a period of austere training that is more like a spiritual pilgrimage than a vocational school.
Examples in context
- 日本の伝統工芸品は、高い技術と職人の手によって作られています。Japanese traditional crafts are made with high skill and the hands of artisans.
- この建物は、名工が手がけた美しい彫刻で飾られています。This building is adorned with beautiful sculptures created by artisans.
- 最近、職人さんの作る手作りアクセサリーにハマっています。Lately, I've been obsessed with handmade accessories crafted by artisans.
- このレストランでは、料理の匠たちが毎日最高の料理を作っています。In this restaurant, the culinary artisans create the best dishes every day.
- 彼は一流の職人です。Kare wa ichiryuu no shokunin desu.He is a first-class artisan.
- 江戸の職人の技に驚いた。Edo no shokunin no waza ni odoroita.I was amazed by the skill of the Edo artisans.
- その道具は職人が作ったものだ。Sono dougu wa shokunin ga tsukutta mono da.That tool was made by an artisan.
Example conversation
At a traditional woodworking exhibition.
- 陽葵 Himariこの家具は本当に素晴らしいですね。Kono kagu wa hontou ni subarashii desu ne.This furniture is truly wonderful, isn't it?
- 蓮 Renええ、職人のこだわりを感じます。Ee, shokunin no kodawari o kanjimasu.Yes, I can feel the artisan's dedication.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんは職人を目指しているのですか？Ren-san wa shokunin o mezashite iru no desu ka?Ren, are you aiming to be an artisan?
- 蓮 Renはい、いつかあんな風になりたいです。Hai, itsuka anna fuu ni naritai desu.Yes, I want to become like that someday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “artisan” translations and entries 職人, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
