Definition and Characteristics of Artisans
– Artisanal is often used to describe hand-processing.
– Artisanal mining is a buzzword in marketing and advertising.
– Handmade food products like bread, beverages, cheese, and textiles are often described as artisanal.
– These goods were traditionally handmade but are now made on a larger scale with mechanization.
– Artisans were the dominant producers of commodities before the Industrial Revolution.
Artisans in Ancient Greece
– Artisans were drawn to agoras and built workshops nearby.
– Agoras were marketplaces where artisans sold their goods.
– Artisans played a significant role in the economy of ancient Greece.
– Ancient Greek artisans were skilled craftsmen.
– Artisans were respected members of society.
Artisans in the Medieval Period
– Artisans were divided into masters, journeymen, and apprentices.
– Masters were the business owners and had a higher social status.
– Journeymen and apprentices worked under the guidance of masters.
– Artisans often organized into guilds for mutual support and protection.
– The term artisan did not apply to unskilled manual laborers.
Shokunin (Japanese Artisans)
– Shokunin is a Japanese word for artisan or craftsman.
– Shokunin implies pride in one’s own work.
– Shokunin have a social obligation to work for the general welfare of the people.
– Traditional shokunin honored their tools at New Year’s.
– Shokunin express gratitude for their tools by placing rice cakes and tangerines on top of their toolboxes.
External Links and Resources
– Wikimedia Commons has media related to Artisans.
– Additional resources and information about artisans can be found on Wikimedia Commons.
– The provided sources contain more in-depth information about artisans.
– Explore the links for further insights into the world of artisans.
– These external links provide a broader perspective on the topic of artisans. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artisan
An artisan (from French: artisan, Italian: artigiano) is a skilled craft worker who makes or creates material objects partly or entirely by hand. These objects may be functional or strictly decorative, for example furniture, decorative art, sculpture, clothing, food items, household items, and tools and mechanisms such as the handmade clockwork movement of a watchmaker. Artisans practice a craft and may through experience and aptitude reach the expressive levels of an artist.
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