匠
Meanings
artisan; craftsman; master craftsperson
Refers to a skilled craftsperson, especially someone with refined manual or traditional craft skill. 匠 often sounds more elevated than ordinary 職人; 'carpenter' is possible in context but is not the only meaning.
The skill of a master artisan lives on in this furniture.
Many skilled craftsmen took part in restoring the temple.
Only when written 工
Restricted to the spelling 工. As a standalone noun read たくみ, this use is uncommon and literary or explanatory in modern Japanese; it refers to skill, dexterity, craftsmanship, or design.
In older explanatory writing, 工 read たくみ may be used as a noun meaning technique or design.
Only when written 工
Dated use restricted to 工. It refers to a contrivance, scheme, artifice, or trick; modern Japanese would usually use words such as 策, たくらみ, or からくり instead.
In older writing, an expression like 敵の工を見破る may use 工 to mean a scheme or stratagem.
Usage patterns
- 匠の技the skill/technique of a master craftsman
It's a work that shines with a master craftsman's skill.
- 〈事〉の匠a master of (a craft or field)
He is called a master of ceramics.