上手

Noun

 * 1) predecessor; one's superior
 * 2) player whose turn comes next
 * 3) expert
 * 4)  previous owner of real estate
 * 1)  previous owner of real estate

Verb

 * 1) to start; to begin
 * 2) to get in one's hand; to get (fish, etc.) on the hook

Adverb

 * 1)  at the outset

Etymology 1
→ →

From compound.

This reading is likely a later innovation in Japanese after the initial borrowing. This uses the goon of jō for the first character, and the kan'yōon of zu for the second character.

Adjective

 * 1) skillful, dexterous

Noun

 * 1)  skill, dexterity
 * 2) flattery
 * 3) a person with the seventh dan in the games of shogi or go
 * 1) a person with the seventh dan in the games of shogi or go

Etymology 2
→ →

From compound.

This is the goon reading for both characters, so likely the reading as initially borrowed.

Adjective

 * 1)  same as jōzu reading above

Usage notes
Obsolete. Replaced by the jōzu reading above.

Noun

 * 1)  same as jōzu reading above

Usage notes
Obsolete. Replaced by the jōzu reading above.

Etymology 3
→ →

Variation on jōzu above, replacing the kan'yōon of zu with the kun'yomi of te.

Noun

 * 1)  alternate for jōzu above
 * 2)  (jōtemono): an exquisite piece of workmanship

Etymology 4
Compound of.

Adjective

 * 1) superior, better
 * 2) aggressive, bold, on the offensive

Noun

 * 1)  an overhand hold
 * 2)  the upper hand in an overhand hold
 * 3) upstream, the upstream portion of a river
 * 4) upwind
 * 5) a skilled player of games, such as go or shogi

Etymology 5
Compound of.

Noun

 * 1) upstream, the upstream portion of a river
 * 2) upwind
 * 3) uphill, the upper portion of a hill or other geographic feature
 * 4) the head of a table, the seat of honor
 * 5) stage left: the left-hand side of a stage when looking from the stage towards the audience
 * 6) the left-hand side of a drawstring on a fishing net

Etymology 6
→ →  →

Originally a compound of.

Noun

 * 1)  the left-hand side of a drawstring on a fishing net