象牙

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 象牙 is read as ぞうげ and refers to ivory when discussing the material of a craft object or ornament.
• Basic usage: It can identify the material being carved or distinguish ivory from another material such as white resin.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Carving the material
  • 象牙に模様を彫る means to carve a design into the surface of the ivory. Example: 博物館で象牙に細かな模様を彫った古い工芸品を見ました。
• Distinguishing another material
  • 象牙ではなく explicitly says that the object is not ivory before identifying its actual material. Example: この飾りは象牙ではなく、白い樹脂で作られています。