An artisan (from , ) is a skilled worker who makes or creates material objects partly or entirely by handicraft. These objects may be or strictly beauty, for example furniture, decorative art, sculpture, clothing, artisanal food, household items, and tools and mechanisms such as the handmade clockwork Mechanical watch of a watchmaker. Artisans practice a craft and may through experience and aptitude reach the expressive levels of an artist.
History
The adjective "artisanal" is often used in describing hand-processing in contrast to an industrial process, such as in the phrase
artisanal mining. Thus, "artisanal" is sometimes used in
marketing and
advertising as a
buzz word to describe or imply some relation with the crafting of handmade food products, such as
bread,
beverages,
artisanal cheese or
Textile. Many of these have traditionally been handmade,
rural or
pastoral goods but are also now commonly made on a larger scale with automated
mechanization in
factories and other industrial areas.
Artisans were the dominant producers of primary products before the Industrial Revolution.
In ancient Greece, artisans were drawn to and often built workshops nearby.
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
. Artisans were divided into two distinct groups: those who operated their own businesses and those who did not. The former were called
Master craftsman, while the latter were the
Journeyman and
Apprenticeship.
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 high social status in their communities,[History of Western Civilization, Boise State University ] and organised into in towns and cities.
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.
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.
Gallery
File:Mendel I 010 r.jpg|Armorer, 1425
File:Mendel II 072 r.jpg|Blacksmith, 1606
File:Mendel II 017 r.jpg|Bladesmith, 1564
File:Mendel II 086 r.jpg|Cooper, 1608
File:Mendel I 053 v.jpg|, 1433
File:Mendel I 164 r.jpg|Furrier, 1543
File:Glass furnace with workers Agricola 1580.jpg|Glassblowing, 1500s
File:Landauer I 082 r.jpg|Gunsmith, 1613
File:Landauer I 022 r.jpg|Hatter, 1533
File:Mendel I 021 r.jpg|Joiner, 1425
File:Mendel II 065 v.jpg|Locksmith, 1600
File:Mendel I 144 v.jpg|Nailsmith, 1529
File:Mendel II 071 r.jpg|Pottery, 1605
File:Landauer I 088 v.jpg|Ropemaker, 1616
File:Mendel I 089 r.jpg|, 1470
File:Mendel I 154 r.jpg|Shoemaker, 1535
File:Landauer I 038 v.jpg|Stonemason, 1550
File:Mendel I 018 r.jpg|Tailor, 1425
File:Mendel I 092 r.jpg|Tanner, 1473
File:Landauer I 014 v.jpg|Weaver, 1524
File:Landauer I 034 r.jpg|Wheelwright, 1545
See also
External links
