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 ? If not, what honorific name suffix would be preferable?

Referring to someone as 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 (politician, lawyer, physician, professional shogi player, etc).



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