Skilled artisan with 職人
The term 職人 refers to a skilled artisan or craftsman who has mastered a specific trade through years of dedicated practice, often within a traditional apprenticeship system.
Beyond its literal meaning of someone who creates or processes objects by hand (e.g., carpenters, potters, swordsmiths), 職人 embodies a cultural and philosophical ideal in Japan. It signifies a deep commitment to perfection, precision, and the pursuit of excellence in one’s craft, often tied to values like discipline, patience, and harmony with nature.
Further reading
- Shokunin and Devotion (kyotojournal.org)
- What is shokunin? (zenbird.media)
