Translation guide
A person who makes and repairs iron objects, especially horseshoes. In Japanese, the most common term is 鍛冶屋, but there are also historical and specialized terms.
A person who forges and repairs iron items, such as tools and horseshoes.
A craftsman who specializes in forging swords, especially Japanese katana.
A blacksmith who makes armor.
A blacksmith specializing in armor. This is a historical term rarely used in modern conversation.
鎧鍛冶が武士の鎧を修理した。
The armorer repaired the samurai's armor.
鍛冶屋 can mean both the blacksmith and the blacksmith's shop. Context usually makes it clear. If you need to specify the shop, you can say 鍛冶屋の店 (かじやのみせ), but it's often unnecessary.
鍛冶屋 is a general blacksmith who might make tools, horseshoes, or simple blades. 刀鍛冶 is a specialized swordsmith who crafts katana using traditional methods. Do not use 刀鍛冶 for a Western-style blacksmith.
The village blacksmith made horseshoes.
鍛冶屋で包丁を研いでもらった。
I had my kitchen knife sharpened at the blacksmith's.
Refers to the craft or the act of blacksmithing, but can also mean a blacksmith in compound words or formal contexts.
彼は鍛冶の技術を学んでいる。
He is learning the art of blacksmithing.
Literally 'iron worker', this can refer to a blacksmith in industrial or modern contexts, but is less specific.
鉄工所で働いている。
I work at an ironworks.
Specifically a swordsmith who makes katana. This is the most precise term for a traditional Japanese sword maker.
その刀鍛冶は名刀を作り出した。
That swordsmith produced a famous blade.
A formal term for a swordsmith, often used in historical or artistic contexts.
この刀は有名な刀工によって作られた。
This sword was made by a famous swordsmith.