1.
master carpenter, master builder
The head carpenter who leads a construction project, supervising and coordinating the work of other carpenters. A title of skill and authority in the traditional building trades.
棟梁の指示に従う。
I follow the master carpenter's instructions.
うちの家を建てた棟梁は腕がいい。
The master carpenter who built our house is very skilled.
若い大工たちは棟梁のもとで技を磨いている。
The young carpenters are honing their skills under the master carpenter.
2.
leader, chief, head
By extension, a leader or head of a group. Used historically for clan leaders and heads of organizations.
一門の棟梁として皆をまとめた。
He brought everyone together as the leader of the group.
源氏の棟梁として兵を率いた。
He led troops as the head of the Minamoto clan.
武家の棟梁は強い統率力を求められた。
The head of a warrior house was required to have strong leadership.
USAGE:
In modern usage, sense 1 (master carpenter) is most common. When someone says 棟梁 today, they typically mean the head carpenter on a construction project. The word carries a sense of traditional craftsmanship and authority. Sense 2 (leader) is mainly encountered in historical contexts, particularly in reference to the heads of warrior clans during the medieval period.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 大工の棟梁: master carpenter
- 棟梁の腕: the master carpenter's skill
- 武家の棟梁: head of a warrior house