copying or writing as a profession; earning a living by writing
Refers to the traditional occupation of copying documents or writing by hand for a living, often associated with pre-modern Japan. In modern contexts, it can also refer to calligraphy or manuscript work.
In the Edo period, many people made a living as copyists.
He ekes out a living doing copying work.
copying fee
Composed of 筆 (writing brush) and 耕 (cultivate, till), literally 'cultivating with a brush,' metaphorically referring to earning a living through writing.