Craftsmanship - Saiku

Japanese: 細工 - さいく

〘 noun 〙 ("ku" is the Go-on pronunciation of "工" (work)) ① Originally, it refers to a craftsman who belonged to the Takumi-ryo ( Office of the Interior Artisans ) and worked in the Tsukumodokoro (farm factory) . A craftsman who makes small props, furnishings, and other intricate items. A craftsman. *From the Kanchiin Hon Sanbo-e (984), "I hired someone to do the intricate work and set about making this, but the thread was too long and the box too short to even be able to put it in." ② (━suru) To make intricate items using one's dexterity in woodworking, metal engraving, etc. Also, the thing itself. Handicraft. *From Eika ( around 1028-92), Goshogiku, "A man named Prince Kaya in the past was truly a man of great skill." ③ (━suru) To devise something. To scheme. Also, the thing itself. A plan. ※Konjaku (around 1120) 28 "This Tamemori no Ason is a man of exquisite craftsmanship." ※Haikai Kyoraisho (1702-04) Shugyo "Is it not enough to catch even one sweetfish the second time? They are all crafted." ④ (Added before a noun) Expresses the meaning of something that is not serious, or is done by an amateur using only his skills. "Crafted pictures," "Crafts," "Crafted Joruri," "Crafted shave," etc. ⑤ In the Edo period, it refers to a lower-class person who made and sold bamboo crafts, brooms, tea whisks, etc. ※Joruri Miyako no Fuji (around 1695) 4 "The Tatsuki couple Katsuwaka and Tatsuki, who are caring for their aged mother, are both fine people and have their own crafts."

Saikumu [Craftsmanship]

(Ta Ma 4) To work with intricacy. To put effort into ingenuity. To put in skill. To add decoration. ※Seikado Bunko Mumyosho (around 1211) "If you try to make it look too good, it will end up being too small and even the pretentious parts will disappear."

Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary About the Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary Information

Japanese:

〘名〙 (「く」は「工」の呉音)① もと、内匠寮(たくみりょう)に属し、作物所(つくもどころ)で働いていた職工をいう。小道具、調度など細かい物を作る職人。細工人。※観智院本三宝絵（984）中「細工をやとひ据ゑてはこぞつくりいださしめたるに、経は長く、はこは短うして入れ奉るに足らず」② (━する) 木工、彫金など手先を利かせて細かい物を作ること。また、そのもの。手細工。※栄花（1028‐92頃）御裳着「昔賀陽親王(かやのみこ)といひし人こそ、さいくはいみじかりけれ」③ (━する) 工夫すること。たくらむこと。また、そのもの。くわだて。計画。※今昔（1120頃か）二八「此の為盛の朝臣は、極たる細工(さいく)の風流有る者の」※俳諧・去来抄（1702‐04）修行「二度目に鮎一つは少なきことにや。皆是細工せらるる也」④ (名詞の上に添えて) 本格的でない、素人が器用だけでするの意を表わす。「細工絵」「細工芸」「細工浄瑠璃」「細工剃」など。⑤ 江戸時代、竹細工、箒、茶筅などを作って売り歩いた下層の人をいう。※浄瑠璃・都の富士（1695頃）四「老母いたはる世のたつき夫婦勝若諸共に、さいくの者と品くだり」