窯元
Meanings
pottery workshop; kiln site; pottery production center
Refers to the physical location or establishment where pottery is made, including the kiln and surrounding facilities. Often used when talking about visiting or buying directly.
I visited a pottery workshop in Mashiko over the weekend.
This tea bowl was bought at a famous kiln site.
potter; pottery maker
Refers to the person or family who runs the pottery workshop. Can imply a master potter or the pottery-making household. Sometimes used interchangeably with 陶芸家, but 窯元 emphasizes the workshop/kiln ownership.
He is the son of a long-established pottery family.
I ordered directly from the potter and had a special plate made.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉の窯元を訪れるto visit a pottery workshop (in a certain place)
I visited a pottery workshop in Arita and picked out dishes directly.
- 〈物〉を窯元から直接買うto buy something directly from the pottery workshop
If you buy a vase directly from the workshop, it's a bit cheaper.
- 窯元を継ぐto take over/inherit the family pottery workshop
He took over his father's pottery workshop and became the third-generation potter.