左官(さかん)

さかん
noun
plasterer; stucco worker
occupationbuilding
1. plasterer; stucco worker
A skilled craftsperson who applies plaster, mortar, or stucco to walls, floors, and ceilings. A traditional Japanese building trade that includes applying 漆喰(しっくい) (lime plaster) and 土壁(つちかべ) (earthen walls).
左官(さかん)職人(しょくにん)を呼(よ)ぶ。
I'll call a plasterer.
左官(さかん)の技術(ぎじゅつ)で美(うつく)しい壁(かべ)を仕上(しあ)げた。
The wall was beautifully finished with plastering techniques.
伝統的(でんとうてき)な左官(さかん)の技(わざ)を受(う)け継(つ)ぐ若手(わかて)が少(すく)なくなっている。
Fewer young people are carrying on the traditional plastering craft.

An old and respected building trade in Japan. Traditional 左官(さかん) work includes applying 漆喰(しっくい) (lime plaster) to castle walls and storehouses, and 土壁(つちかべ) (earthen walls) in traditional houses. The craft is considered an art form, and skilled practitioners are highly valued.

Common collocations

Etymology

The name comes from an old court rank (左官(さかん), an official position), though the exact historical connection to the plastering trade is debated.

Related words

  • 大工(だいく): carpenter — builds wooden structures
  • 鳶(とび)職(しょく): scaffolding worker
  • 漆喰(しっくい): lime plaster — material applied by plasterers

Related Words

Related: 大工(だいく) (carpenter)
Related: 配管工(はいかんこう) (plumber)
general
Added 2026.3.31 7:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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