塑像

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 塑像 is read as そぞう and means a modeled figure or statue made from a moldable material such as clay.
• Basic usage: It can identify student-made clay statues or a displayed figure that captures subtle facial details.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Student-made clay works
  • 粘土で作った塑像 refers to the modeled figures that students made from clay. Example: 美術室には生徒が粘土で作った塑像が並んでいる。
• A figure on display
  • 展示中の塑像 is the displayed figure that renders even the person’s subtle expression. Example: 展示中の塑像は人物の細かな表情まで表している。