Using 先生 for crafts workers


If one were talking to or about an expert craftsperson, e.g. a highly skilled
arborist (as opposed to a garden designer) or to a stone mason or papermaker,
would it be appropriate to refer to that person as 先生? If not, what honorific
name suffix would be preferable?




Referring to someone as 先生 is fine if:

  1. You yourself are a student/disciple/apprentice of that person
  2. That person is working as a teacher, and you are introducing him/her in the context of teaching their skills
  3. That person is in a profession where they are traditionally referred to as 先生 (politician, lawyer, physician, professional shogi player, etc).

If none of the above applies, do not use 先生. For example, if you are simply
presenting a talented arborist as a talented arborist in contexts unrelated to
education/apprenticeship, you cannot use 先生.




Referring to someone as 先生 is fine if:

  1. You yourself are a student/disciple/apprentice of that person
  2. That person is working as a teacher, and you are introducing him/her in the context of teaching their skills
  3. That person is in a profession where they are traditionally referred to as 先生 (politician, lawyer, physician, professional shogi player, etc).

If none of the above applies, do not use 先生. For example, if you are simply
presenting a talented arborist as a talented arborist in contexts unrelated to
education/apprenticeship, you cannot use 先生.

