1.
genius; extraordinary talent; prodigy
An exceptional, almost supernatural level of talent or the person possessing it. The character 鬼 (demon, spirit) suggests talent so extreme it seems inhuman. Often used to praise artists, directors, musicians, and other creative figures.
彼は映画界の鬼才だ。
He is a genius of the film world.
鬼才と呼ばれる画家の作品展。
An exhibition by a painter called a genius.
若くして鬼才の名をほしいままにした音楽家が、新作を発表した。
The musician who earned a reputation as a genius at a young age has released a new work.
Literally "demon talent" — the 鬼 (demon/spirit) implies talent so extraordinary it borders on the supernatural.
USAGE:
鬼才 is a strongly laudatory term, used mainly in media, criticism, and literary writing. It appears most often as an epithet preceding a person's name or title: 鬼才・黒澤明 (the genius Akira Kurosawa). It is more dramatic and literary than 天才, carrying a nuance of dark brilliance or unconventional originality.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 鬼才と呼ばれる: to be called a genius
- 鬼才の持ち主: possessor of extraordinary talent
- 鬼才監督: genius director
- 鬼才ぶりを発揮する: to display one's genius
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 天才: genius — the most common word for genius; neutral and broadly applicable, without the dramatic "demonic" nuance
- 秀才: brilliant person — implies academic excellence and diligence more than raw creative power
- 異才: exceptional talent — similar to 鬼才 but less dramatic; emphasizes being different rather than supernaturally gifted