左官(さかん)

さかん
noun
plasterer; stucco worker
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:

  • 左官(さかん)職人(しょくにん): plasterer, plastering craftsman
  • 左官(さかん)工事(こうじ): plastering work
  • 左官(さかん)の技術(ぎじゅつ): plastering technique
  • 左官(さかん)仕上(しあ)げ: plaster finish

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 TERMS:

  • 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
general
Added 2026.3.31 7:19
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