artisan

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 匠 refers to a skilled artisan; its kun-reading is たくみ and its on-reading is しょう.
• Basic usage: 匠 refers to an artisan who makes things, while 師匠 refers to a master who teaches a skill or art.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Skill and mentorship
  • 匠 focuses on skill in making things; 師匠 focuses on the relationship between learner and teacher. Fields as different as pottery and rakugo have such masters.
• Artisan and skill
  • 匠の技 means an artisan's skill. In this expression, 匠 refers to the person and 技 refers to that person's skill.