skill from one's past; old hand's knack; experience from the old days
Idiomatic expression referring to a skill or ability acquired in the past that remains useful or impressive later. Often used when someone demonstrates a talent they haven't practiced in a long time. Literally 'the handle of the pestle one used to use'.
My father, with the skill from his younger days, played the guitar well even after a long time.
祖母の料理は昔取った杵柄で、今でも絶品だ。
My grandmother's cooking is still superb, thanks to her old-hand knack.
腕前 refers to one's current skill or ability, while 昔取った杵柄 specifically emphasizes a skill retained from the past.
経験 is a general term for experience, whereas 昔取った杵柄 is an idiomatic phrase highlighting the lasting effect of past practice.
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
Variant spelling using hiragana とった instead of kanji 取った; both are used.
Literally 'the handle of the pestle one used to take (in the past)'. The phrase originates from the idea that even after a long time, one's hands remember the feel of a tool they once used skillfully, like a pestle for pounding rice. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it is a well-established Japanese idiom.