Translation guide
The craft or technique of setting pieces of material into a surface to form decorative patterns. This guide covers how to talk about inlaying in Japanese, focusing on common crafts like wood inlay and metal inlay.
Referring to the general technique or craft of inlaying, often in woodworking or metalwork.
The standard term for inlaying as a decorative technique, used across various materials like wood, metal, and ceramics.
この箱は象嵌で飾られています。
This box is decorated with inlaying.
An alternative kanji for 象嵌, often used interchangeably, though 象嵌 is more common.
象眼細工の技術は古くから伝わる。
The technique of inlay work has been passed down since ancient times.
Specifically refers to inlay work or inlay craftsmanship, emphasizing the handiwork aspect.
彼は象嵌細工の職人です。
He is an inlay craftsman.
Specifically referring to inlaying in wood, such as marquetry or parquetry.
Wood inlay; the technique of inlaying different woods or other materials into a wooden surface.
木象嵌のテーブルが美しい。
The wood inlay table is beautiful.
A traditional Japanese wood mosaic technique, often used for decorative boxes and puzzles, which is a form of inlaying.
箱根の寄木細工は有名です。
Hakone's wood mosaic work is famous.
Specifically referring to inlaying in metal, such as damascening.
Gold inlay; a technique where gold is inlaid into a metal surface.
刀の鍔に金象嵌が施されている。
The sword guard is decorated with gold inlay.
Silver inlay; similar to gold inlay but using silver.
この花瓶には銀象嵌が使われている。
This vase uses silver inlay.
A specific Japanese metal inlay technique where a cross-hatched pattern is carved into the metal before inlaying, often seen on sword fittings.
布目象嵌は高度な技術を要する。
Nunome-zōgan requires advanced skill.
Expressing the action of inlaying something into a surface.
The verb form meaning 'to inlay'. Use with the object being inlaid.
職人が金を鉄に象嵌する。
The craftsman inlays gold into iron.
Pattern for specifying the surface and the inlaid material: 'inlay [material] into [surface]'.
木の箱に貝を象嵌する。
Inlay shell into a wooden box.
A more formal phrase meaning 'to apply inlay' or 'to decorate with inlay'.
この屏風には精巧な象嵌が施されている。
This folding screen is decorated with elaborate inlay.
象嵌 is the standard kanji, but 象眼 is also seen. Both are read ぞうがん and mean the same thing. 象嵌 is preferred in modern usage.
象嵌 (zōgan) is a broad term for inlaying any material into a surface. 寄木細工 (yosegi-zaiku) is a specific Japanese craft of assembling different woods into geometric patterns, which is a type of inlay but often considered a distinct traditional art form.