noun
shape of the head; facial structure
Archaic term referring to the natural shape or build of the head and face.
古い文献では、顔作りが良いと美男子とされた。
In old texts, having a good shape of the head was considered handsome.
noun
using make-up; cosmetic enhancement
Archaic term for the act of applying make-up or cosmetics to improve one's appearance.
江戸時代の遊女は顔作りに時間をかけた。
Edo-period courtesans spent time on their make-up.
Compound of 顔 (kao, 'face') and 作り (tsukuri, 'making, construction'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it likely emerged in pre-modern Japanese to describe both the natural shape of the head and the practice of applying cosmetics.