Artisan

History

The adjective "artisanal" is often used in describing hand-processing in contrast to an industrial process, such as in the phrase artisanal mining. Thus, "artisanal" is sometimes used in marketing and advertising as a buzz word to describe or imply some relation with the crafting of handmade food products, such as bread, beverages, cheese or textiles. Many of these have traditionally been handmade, rural or pastoral goods but are also now commonly made on a larger scale with automated mechanization in factories and other industrial areas.

Artisans were the dominant producers of primary products before the Industrial Revolution.

In ancient Greece, artisans were drawn to agoras and often built workshops nearby.

Medieval artisans

During the Middle Ages, the term "artisan" was applied to those who made things or provided services. It did not apply to unskilled manual labourers. Artisans were divided into two distinct groups: those who operated their own businesses and those who did not. The former were called masters, while the latter were the journeymen and apprentices.

One misunderstanding many people have about this social group is that they picture them as "workers" in the modern sense: employed by someone. The most influential group among the artisans were the masters, the business owners. The owners enjoyed a high social status in their communities, and organised into guilds in towns and cities.

Shokunin

Shokunin is a Japanese word for "artisan" or "craftsman", which also implies a pride in one's own work. In the words of shokunin Tashio Odate:Shokunin means not only having technical skill, but also implies an attitude and social consciousness... a social obligation to work his best for the general welfare of the people, [an] obligation both material and spiritual. Traditionally, shokunin honoured their tools of trade at New Year's – the sharpened and taken-care of tools would be placed in a tokonoma (a container or box still found in Japanese houses and shops), and two rice cakes and a tangerine (on top of rice paper) were placed on top of each toolbox, to honour the tools and express gratitude for performing their task.

Gallery

File:Mendel I 010 r.jpg|Armorer, 1425 File:Mendel II 072 r.jpg|Blacksmith, 1606 File:Mendel II 017 r.jpg|Bladesmith, 1564 File:Mendel II 086 r.jpg|Cooper, 1608 File:Mendel I 053 v.jpg|Dyer, 1433 File:Mendel I 164 r.jpg|Furrier, 1543 File:Glass furnace with workers Agricola 1580.jpg|Glassblowing, 1500s File:Landauer I 082 r.jpg|Gunsmith, 1613 File:Landauer I 022 r.jpg|Hatter, 1533 File:Mendel I 021 r.jpg|Joiner, 1425 File:Mendel II 065 v.jpg|Locksmith, 1600 File:Mendel I 144 v.jpg|Nailsmith, 1529 File:Mendel II 071 r.jpg|Potter, 1605 File:Landauer I 088 v.jpg|Ropemaker, 1616 File:Mendel I 089 r.jpg|Saddler, 1470 File:Mendel I 154 r.jpg|Shoemaker, 1535 File:Landauer I 038 v.jpg|Stonemason, 1550 File:Mendel I 018 r.jpg|Tailor, 1425 File:Mendel I 092 r.jpg|Tanner, 1473 File:Landauer I 014 v.jpg|Weaver, 1524 File:Landauer I 034 r.jpg|Wheelwright, 1545

References

References

1. Peppas, Lynn. (2005). "Life in Ancient Greece". Crabtree Publishing Company.
2. "Document No.23".
3. Nagyszalanczy, Sandor. (2000). "The Art of Fine Tools". Taunton Press.