(ししょう)

ししょう
noun
master, teacher (of an art or craft)
1. master, teacher, mentor (of a traditional art, craft, or skill)
A person who teaches and guides a student in a traditional art, craft, or discipline. Implies a deep, often long-term master-apprentice relationship.
師匠(ししょう)弟子入(でしい)りする。
To become an apprentice to a master.
落語(らくご)師匠(ししょう)のもとで修業(しゅぎょう)した。
I trained under a rakugo master.
師匠(ししょう)から(おそ)わった(わざ)大切(たいせつ)にしながら、自分(じぶん)なりの表現(ひょうげん)追求(ついきゅう)している。
While cherishing the techniques learned from my master, I am pursuing my own form of expression.

STRUCTURE:
() (teacher, master) + (しょう) (artisan, skilled worker).

USAGE:
師匠(ししょう) is used in traditional arts such as 落語(らくご) (comic storytelling), 茶道(さどう) (tea ceremony), 花道(かどう) (flower arrangement), 書道(しょどう) (calligraphy), martial arts, and traditional music. The relationship between 師匠(ししょう) and 弟子(でし) (apprentice/disciple) is central to the transmission of traditional skills in Japan. Compare with 先生(せんせい), which is a more general and widely applicable term for teacher.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 師匠(ししょう)弟子入(でしい)りする: to become someone's apprentice
  • 師匠(ししょう)弟子(でし): master and apprentice
  • 師匠(ししょう)(おし)え: the master's teachings
  • 師匠(ししょう)(すじ): lineage of masters