Translation guide
A person who creates sculptures. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 彫刻家 (ちょうこくか). There are also more specific or traditional terms depending on the material or style.
Referring to a person who creates sculptures as an art form, typically working with materials like stone, wood, metal, or clay.
The standard, neutral term for a sculptor as an artist. Suitable for most contexts.
彼は有名な彫刻家です。
He is a famous sculptor.
その彫刻家は大理石で作品を作った。
The sculptor created the work out of marble.
A more formal or technical term, often used in art contexts. Emphasizes both carving (彫) and modeling (塑).
彫塑家としての彼の技術は素晴らしい。
His skill as a sculptor is wonderful.
Can imply a master or craftsman, sometimes used for traditional sculptors. Less common for modern fine artists.
その寺の仏像は有名な彫刻師によって作られた。
The temple's Buddha statue was made by a famous sculptor.
Specifically a sculptor who works with wood.
A sculptor specializing in wood carving.
彼女は木彫家として知られている。
She is known as a wood sculptor.
Often implies a traditional craftsman rather than a modern artist.
祖父は木彫師でした。
My grandfather was a wood carver.
Specifically a sculptor who works with stone.
A sculptor specializing in stone carving.
石彫家が巨大な花崗岩を彫っている。
The stone sculptor is carving a huge piece of granite.
A sculptor who creates Buddhist statues, a traditional and specialized role.
A sculptor of Buddhist images. A historical and traditional term.
運慶は鎌倉時代の有名な仏師です。
Unkei is a famous sculptor of Buddhist images from the Kamakura period.
When in doubt, use 彫刻家 (ちょうこくか). It is the most versatile and widely understood term for a sculptor in modern Japanese.
彫刻家 is the common term. 彫塑家 is more academic and emphasizes both subtractive (carving) and additive (modeling) techniques. In everyday conversation, 彫刻家 is preferred.