棟とう梁りょう

noun

central figure; pillar; mainstay

Metaphorical use for a person who is the core support of a group, organization, or nation. Often used in formal or literary contexts.

• 彼かれは会かい社しゃの棟とう梁りょうとして、長なが年ねん組そ織しきを支ささえてきた。

  He has supported the organization for many years as its central figure.

noun

chief; boss; leader

General term for a leader or head of a group, especially in traditional or hierarchical settings. Less common in modern casual speech.

• 彼かれは職しょく人にんの棟とう梁りょうとして、多おおくの弟で子しを育そだてた。

  As the master of the craftsmen, he trained many apprentices.

noun

master carpenter

Specifically refers to a highly skilled carpenter who oversees construction projects and leads other carpenters. A traditional title in Japanese architecture.

• この寺てらは有ゆう名めいな棟とう梁りょうによって建たてられた。

  This temple was built by a famous master carpenter.

noun

roof beams and ridge supports

Original architectural meaning referring to the structural framework of a roof. Now rare and mostly encountered in historical or technical contexts.

• 古ふるい文ぶん献けんでは、棟とう梁りょうは屋や根ねの構こう造ぞう材ざいを指さすことがある。

  In old documents, 棟梁 sometimes refers to the structural timbers of a roof.