燻(いぶ)し銀(ぎん)

いぶしぎん
noun, no-adjective
oxidized silver; understated excellence
evaluationdescriptive
1. oxidized silver; dull, darkened silver
Silver that has been darkened by smoking it with sulfur, giving it a soft, dull gray gleam instead of a bright shine; also that finish on jewelry and metalwork.
いぶし銀(ぎん)の指輪(ゆびわ)。
An oxidized-silver ring.
このブローチはいぶし銀(ぎん)仕上(しあ)げだ。
This brooch has an oxidized-silver finish.
鈍(にぶ)く光(ひか)るいぶし銀(ぎん)の風合(ふうあ)いが気(き)に入(い)っている。
I like the look of oxidized silver with its dull gleam.
2. understated excellence; quiet, seasoned skill
Quality or skill that is not showy but deep and reliable, usually in an experienced person such as a veteran player, supporting actor, or craftsman. Always used as praise.
いぶし銀(ぎん)の演技(えんぎ)。
A performance of quiet, seasoned skill.
あの選手(せんしゅ)はいぶし銀(ぎん)の活躍(かつやく)でチームを支(ささ)えている。
That player holds the team up with understated, reliable play.
派手(はで)さはないが、ベテラン俳優(はいゆう)のいぶし銀(ぎん)の存在感(そんざいかん)が作品(さくひん)を引(ひ)き締(し)めている。
There's nothing flashy about him, but the veteran actor's understated presence holds the film together.

Usually written いぶし銀(ぎん); from 燻(いぶ)す (to smoke) + 銀(ぎん) (silver).

Common collocations

Usage

Sense 2 is used mainly of experienced people rather than young stars: the teammate who never makes the headlines but whom the team cannot do without.

general
Added 2026.9.24 21:22 · Revised 2026.10.3 4:16
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