幻術(げんじゅつ)

げんじゅつ
noun
illusionism; magic arts; sorcery
cultureentertainment
1. illusionism; the art of creating illusions; sleight of hand
The technique of creating illusions, whether through stage magic, optical tricks, or supernatural means.
幻術(げんじゅつ)で観客(かんきゃく)を驚(おどろ)かせた。
The audience was amazed by the illusionism.
忍者(にんじゃ)は幻術(げんじゅつ)を使(つか)って敵(てき)を欺(あざむ)いた。
The ninja used illusion techniques to deceive the enemy.
江戸時代(えどじだい)には幻術(げんじゅつ)使(つか)いの話(はなし)が多(おお)く語(かた)り継(つ)がれ、歌舞伎(かぶき)の演目(えんもく)にもなった。
During the Edo period, many stories of illusionists were passed down and became kabuki plays.
2. illusion technique (in fiction); sorcery; magical deception
In anime, manga, and games, a category of supernatural abilities that manipulate the target's senses or perception.
幻術(げんじゅつ)にかかった。
I fell under an illusion spell.
このキャラクターは幻術(げんじゅつ)タイプだ。
This character is an illusion-type.
相手(あいて)の幻術(げんじゅつ)を見破(みやぶ)るには、強(つよ)い精神力(せいしんりょく)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
To see through an opponent's illusion technique, strong willpower is needed.

A compound of 幻(げん) (illusion/phantom) and 術(じゅつ) (technique/art). Historically associated with ninja lore and Edo-period entertainment, the word has gained modern prominence through anime and manga, particularly the Naruto series, where it refers to a specific category of ninja abilities.

In classical Japanese culture, 幻術(げんじゅつ) referred to various tricks and deceptions employed by traveling performers and, in legends, by supernatural beings like foxes (狐(きつね)) and tanuki (狸(たぬき)). These creatures were believed to bewitch humans by creating false visions.

Common collocations

Related words

Related Words

Related: 手品(てじな) (magic tricks)
Related: 忍術(にんじゅつ) (ninja techniques)
Related: 魔法(まほう) (magic)
Compare: 奇術(きじゅつ) (magic trick)
general
Added 2026.4.22 18:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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