銘(めい)

めい
noun
inscription; engraving; maker's mark
art
1. inscription; engraving
Text carved or engraved onto a surface, such as metal, stone, or pottery. Often records the maker, owner, date, or a commemorative message.
刀(かたな)に銘(めい)が刻(きざ)まれている。
An inscription is engraved on the sword.
石碑(せきひ)の銘(めい)を読(よ)む。
To read the inscription on a stone monument.
この茶碗(ちゃわん)の裏(うら)には作者(さくしゃ)の銘(めい)がある。
On the bottom of this tea bowl there is the maker's mark.
銘(めい)のない刀(かたな)は無銘(むめい)と呼(よ)ばれる。
A sword without an inscription is called unsigned.
2. brand name; maker's mark; label
The name or mark identifying the maker or brand of a product, especially traditional crafts like swords, pottery, or sake.
この茶碗(ちゃわん)の裏(うら)には作者(さくしゃ)の銘(めい)がある。
On the bottom of this tea bowl there is the maker's mark.
この酒(さけ)はどこの銘(めい)ですか。
What brand is this sake?
地元(じもと)の銘(めい)を冠(かん)した日本酒(にほんしゅ)が人気(にんき)だ。
Sake bearing a local brand name is popular.

An important cultural term related to traditional Japanese craftsmanship and art. In the context of swords (刀剣(とうけん)), the 銘(めい) identifies the swordsmith and is typically engraved on the tang (茎(なかご)). In ceramics, it refers to the potter's mark. Also used more broadly for brand names, especially of sake.

Common collocations

  • 銘(めい)を刻(きざ)む: to engrave an inscription
  • 銘(めい)を入(い)れる: to add an inscription/mark
  • 無銘(むめい): unsigned, without inscription
  • 銘(めい)酒(しゅ): fine sake; famous-brand sake
  • 銘(めい)菓(か): famous confection (from a renowned maker)
  • 銘(めい)柄(がら): brand, make

Related words

  • 銘柄(めいがら): brand, make; stock issue — extends the sense of "named identity" to products and stocks
  • 碑文(ひぶん): epitaph, inscription on a monument — specifically for stone monuments
  • 刻印(こくいん): engraved stamp, hallmark — a physical mark rather than text
  • 肝(きも)に銘(めい)じる: to engrave on one's heart — to take something deeply to heart (figurative usage)

Related Words

Related: 刻印(こくいん) (engraved stamp, hallmark)
general
Added 2026.4.19 1:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
24000/24393_mei