noun
handicraft industry
Refers to the sector or business of producing goods by hand, often contrasted with mechanized mass production.
この地域では手工業が盛んです。
The handicraft industry is thriving in this region.
手工芸 refers to handicrafts as artistic or decorative items, while 手工業 emphasizes the industrial or commercial aspect of hand production.
Compound of 手 (hand) + 工 (craft, manufacture) + 業 (industry, business).