cabinetmaker; joiner
Refers to a traditional Japanese woodworker who makes furniture and joinery, especially using the sashimono technique (wood joinery without nails).
My grandfather was a cabinetmaker and made chests and desks.
Standard kanji spelling for a traditional cabinetmaker or joiner.
Variant spelling with okurigana; less common but still encountered.
From 指物 (sashimono, 'joinery, cabinetwork') + 師 (shi, 'master, craftsman'). The term 指物 originally referred to wooden items assembled by inserting one piece into another.