crucible; melting pot
A container used for melting metals or other materials at very high temperatures. In chemistry and metallurgy contexts.
melting pot (of cultures, ideas, etc.)
Figurative use: a place or situation where different cultures, ideas, or people mix together. Often used in phrases like 人種のるつぼ (racial melting pot).
state of ecstasy; fevered excitement
Describes a state of intense excitement or ecstasy, often in a crowd or group setting. Common in expressions like 興奮のるつぼ (a cauldron of excitement).
To melt the metal, they heated the crucible at a high temperature.
New York is a melting pot of diverse cultures.
The moment the championship was decided, the stadium turned into a cauldron of excitement.
Usually written in kana; the kanji spelling 坩堝 is rare and may not be widely recognized.
Rare kanji spelling; the reading るつぼ is a gikun/jukujikun. The on'yomi reading かんか is also possible but very uncommon.
The word るつぼ is thought to derive from Portuguese 'crisol' or possibly Dutch 'kroes', but the exact origin is uncertain. The kanji 坩堝 are ateji applied later.