鳶とび職しょく

noun

high-rise construction worker; steeplejack; scaffolder

Refers specifically to construction workers who specialize in working at heights, such as on scaffolding, roofs, or steel frames. The term comes from the way they move nimbly like a kite (鳶).

• 彼かれは若わかい頃ころ、鳶とび職しょくとして高こう層そうビルの建設かんせつに携たずさわっていた。

  When he was young, he worked as a high-rise construction worker on skyscraper projects.

• 鳶とび職しょくの人ひとは足あし場ばを組くむのがとても速はやい。

  Scaffolders are very quick at assembling scaffolding.

noun

firefighter (Edo period)

Historical term for firefighters in the Edo period, many of whom were also construction workers (tobi) who used their climbing skills to fight fires. Not used for modern firefighters.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だい、鳶とび職しょくは火ひ消けしとしても活かつ躍やくした。

  In the Edo period, tobi workers also served as firefighters.