What is craftsmanship?

The word “craft” is derived from the Germanic term “kraftaz,” meaning physical ability, and has come to represent work done by hand. Generally, the term “craftsman” refers to a skilled artisan, a role often referred to in Japan as “takumi.” However, in today’s world where less work is done by hand, even products such as cars and home appliances where most of the assembly is done by machines can still be described as having “craftsmanship” when humans are actively involved in and pursue quality in manufacturing. This shift in definition over time reflects the growing importance not only of individual artisans’ skills but also of how companies and organizations approach product creation.

The Arts and Crafts movement

The Arts and Crafts movement, which arose in the late 19th century, is indispensable when explaining the concept of craftsmanship. The movement, proposed and led by the British philosopher and designer William Morris, was a social movement. Morris lamented the increase in poor-quality mass-produced goods during the Industrial Revolution, and advocated for a reassessment of medieval craftsmanship, emphasizing the importance of beauty in everyday life. The uniqueness of this movement lies not only in its focus on finished products but also in its consideration of the joy and pleasure of making things and the awareness of beauty in daily life. Morris’s philosophy is considered to have had a significant influence in the fields of art, craft, design, and lifestyle and culture, and in Japan later led to the Mingei (folk art) movement, spearheaded by Soetsu Yanagi and others.

Japanese craftsmanship

In Japan, after the period of rapid economic growth, the term “monozukuri” began to spread in the late 1990s. By the 1980s, Japanese products such as automobiles, televisions, and audio equipment were widely distributed around the world and were internationally recognized for their performance and quality. To further emphasize and communicate Japan’s manufacturing industry as part of the nation’s culture, the term “monozukuri” was coined. Therefore, the term “monozukuri” does not only refer to the finished products or even solely the act of manufacturing itself, but also encompasses a variety of processes and philosophies involved in creating tangible objects, including design, quality control, and even cleanup. By creating a new and clearly native Japanese word for it, people sought to highlight the traditional nature of Japan’s manufacturing industry.

Generally, Japanese people are known for their fine dexterity, demonstrated in everyday activities such as using chopsticks and writing kanji, and are often considered skilled with their hands. The intricate work seen in popular traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi) and miniatures is a good example of this. In terms of handicrafts, Japanese craftsmanship is highly regarded around the world. The appeal of items such as wooden containers with perfectly fitted lids, for example, lies not merely in their functional role of closing the lid but in the aesthetic of how beautifully they close, showcasing the precision typical of Japanese craftsmanship. While other countries are known for advanced crafting techniques, such as French haute couture and Swiss watches, Japanese craft items like those wooden containers with lids, where the beauty extends to encompass the user’s actions, can be seen as a unique characteristic of Japan’s craftsmanship.

The difference between kogei and crafts

In Japan, the terms kogei (工芸) and kosaku (工作), while sharing a common root, are quite distinct. Kogei, as indicated by the character “gei” (芸), refers to artistic craftsmanship in everyday tools. Therefore while both are generally translated as “craft” in English, in Japan they are considered different concepts.

The word “craft” has a broad definition and includes activities like knitting, making accessories, and even school projects that children undertake. However, kogei refers specifically to items that not only serve as functional tools but also have artistic appeal. A distinguishing feature of kogei is that it requires skilled craftsmanship and a sense of beauty in everyday life. Even today, this remains unchanged. Just as William Morris’ philosophy suggested, creating objects as a profession should involve the joy of labor, technical improvement, and a sense of beauty in daily life. Kogei teaches us the foundational principles of craftsmanship and the values of the artisan.

Craftsmanship in the modern age

The act of creating something and infusing it with emotion can sometimes carry profound meaning. Just as a parent’s home-cooked meal is special to their child, something made with love and care for someone else becomes priceless. While we can probably say that the cities of the world have become prosperous in material terms, it is precisely because of this that people are purchasing things solely based on performance or price less and less. Instead, consumers are increasingly choosing products based on the story behind them and the sentiments of the producer. This is where the concept of “craftsmanship” finds its place.

In the future, new methods of creation will likely emerge using technologies such as 3D printing and AI. However, as long as the end-users are human beings, the value of craftsmanship, filled with the creator’s passion and intent, will never fade. In fact, as inorganic products increase, the value of craftsmanship may become even more significant than ever before. Craftsmanship exists because there are users, and imagination for a richer life is essential. What does that richness mean? This is the very question that each craftsman must continue to contemplate and pursue on their path.