Plasterer - Active

Originally called kabe-nuri (wall plasterers), they were specialized construction craftsmen who became independent in the 11th century along with carpenters (bansho). The clay walls of temples were adapted for use in houses, and in the 17th century, storehouses (dozo) were built for fire prevention, and the amount of work increased. Trowels were also designed with shapes such as a crane neck or willow leaf depending on the material and location to be painted, and plaster was used. In the modern era from the late 19th century, new wall materials such as mortar and plaster came into use, and the range of work expanded. Along with carpenters, they were typical of those who worked outside the home, but most were underclassmen to carpenters. The word plasterer is a phonetic spelling, and comes from the fact that in ancient times, plasterers worked as subordinates (the lowest rank of the four classes) in the woodworking bureau of the construction office.

[Motoo Endo]

In addition, in 2020 (Reiwa 2), Japanese wall plastering techniques were registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as one of 17 items under "Skills of Traditional Architectural Craftsmen: Traditional Techniques for Preserving Wooden Buildings."

[Editorial Department, January 21, 2022]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

もとは壁塗(かべぬり)といい、大工（番匠）とともに11世紀に独立した建築の専門職人。寺院の土の壁が住宅に応用され、さらに17世紀には防火のために土蔵(どぞう)が建築されるようになって仕事は多くなった。道具の鏝(こて)も、塗る材料や場所により鶴首（鶴頸）(つるくび)、柳葉(やなぎば)などの形がくふうされ、漆食(しっくい)が使われてきた。19世紀後半からの近代になって、モルタル、プラスターなどの新しい壁材料が使われ、仕事の範囲は広げられた。大工とともに出職(でしょく)の典型であるが、多くは大工の下職(したしょく)である。なお左官というのは当て字で、古代において、建設官司の木工寮(もくりょう)の属(さかん)（四等官の最下位）という資格で仕事をしていたことによる。

［遠藤元男］

　なお日本壁の左官の技術は、2020年（令和2）「伝統建築工匠の技：木造建造物を受け継ぐための伝統技術」17件中の1件として、ユネスコ（国連教育科学文化機関）の無形文化遺産に登録された。

［編集部　2022年1月21日］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例