Compound of 弓 ('bow') and 術 ('art; technique'). The 術 suffix is standard for the names of classical Japanese martial arts: 剣術 ('swordsmanship'), 柔術 ('jujutsu'), 槍術 ('spearmanship'), 馬術 ('horsemanship').
Usage
In modern Japanese, 弓道 ('the way of the bow') is the more common name for the practice of traditional archery, and is the form taught in schools and clubs. 弓術 carries older, more martial connotations and is used in historical writing or when referring to specific classical ryuha (schools). For Western-style sport archery, the katakana loanword アーチェリー is used.
Common collocations
- 弓術を学ぶ: to study archery
- 弓術の稽古: archery practice
- 弓術の流派: school / lineage of archery
- 弓術家: an archer; master of archery
- 弓術に秀でる: to be skilled in archery
- 古い弓術: traditional archery
Similar words
- 弓道: modern Japanese archery (way of the bow) — the dominant contemporary term
- アーチェリー: archery — Western-style sport archery with a different bow and technique
- 弓: bow — the weapon itself
- 矢: arrow
- 的: target
- 射手: archer; shooter
Cultural note
Traditional Japanese archery uses the 和弓, a distinctive asymmetric longbow held below its center. Practice emphasizes not only accuracy but also posture, breathing, and spiritual composure. The ritualized form of modern 弓道 descends from samurai-era 弓術.