二 刀 流(にとうりゅう)

にとうりゅう

noun

dual-wielding; excelling in two fields

culture

1. dual-wielding; fighting with two swords

A sword-fighting style using a sword in each hand. Famously associated with the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.

宮本武蔵(みやもとむさし)は二刀流(にとうりゅう)の達人(たつじん)だった。

Miyamoto Musashi was a master of dual-wielding swordsmanship.

二刀流(にとうりゅう)の剣術(けんじゅつ)は高度(こうど)な技術(ぎじゅつ)を要(よう)する。

Dual-wielding swordsmanship requires advanced skill.

2. excelling in two roles or fields simultaneously

By extension, a person who handles two different roles, skills, or positions at the same time. Widely popularized in modern usage by baseball player Ohtani Shohei, who pitches and bats.

大谷選手(おおたにせんしゅ)の二刀流(にとうりゅう)は世界中(せかいじゅう)で注目(ちゅうもく)されている。

Ohtani's two-way playing style has attracted worldwide attention.

彼女(かのじょ)は医者(いしゃ)と作家(さっか)の二刀流(にとうりゅう)で活躍(かつやく)している。

She is active in the dual roles of doctor and writer.

仕事(しごと)と育児(いくじ)の二刀流(にとうりゅう)は大変(たいへん)だが、やりがいがある。

Juggling both work and childcare is tough, but rewarding.

Usage

The figurative sense (sense 2) has become extremely common in modern Japanese, particularly since Ohtani Shohei's success as both a pitcher and a batter in Major League Baseball. Now used broadly for anyone excelling in two fields simultaneously.

Common collocations

二刀流(にとうりゅう)で活躍(かつやく)する (to be active in two roles)
二刀流(にとうりゅう)選手(せんしゅ) (two-way player)
二刀流(にとうりゅう)に挑戦(ちょうせん)する (to take on a dual role)

Etymology

The term originates from 宮本武蔵(みやもとむさし)'s 二天一流(にてんいちりゅう) school of swordsmanship, which taught fighting with a long sword and a short sword simultaneously.

Related Words

Compare: 二足(にそく)のわらじ (wearing two hats)

general

Added 2026.3.7 19:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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